September 3, 2025 – (KEY WEST, FL). The Key West Art & Historical Society is pleased to announce the latest installment of its popular lecture series, Happy Hour with the Historian, featuring a captivating presentation by historian Cori Convertito, Ph.D. Titled “Building the American Riviera: The Hotels of Henry Flagler,” the talk will take place on Thursday, September 11 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Comedy Key West.
This engaging lecture explores the legacy of Henry Flagler, the American industrialist and co-founder of Standard Oil who transformed Florida’s East Coast into a luxurious winter haven during the Gilded Age. Through the development of the Florida East Coast Railway and a chain of grand hotels from St. Augustine to Palm Beach and Miami, Flagler helped create what became known as the “American Riviera.”
Dr. Convertito will take attendees on a journey through time, detailing the opulence of Flagler’s resorts and the lifestyles of the leisure class that frequented them. From architectural marvels to tales of high society, the lecture offers a fascinating glimpse into the social, economic, and cultural transformations that shaped modern Florida.
“Flagler’s influence on Florida’s development cannot be overstated,” said Dr. Cori Convertito, curator and historian for the Key West Art & Historical Society. “He was a visionary who didn’t simply build railroads and hotels. He reimagined an entire region as a luxurious destination for the wealthy elite. His hotels were not just places to stay; they were statements of opulence, innovation, and social aspiration. This talk will delve into how these grand establishments reflected the extravagance of the Gilded Age, and it offers a fascinating look at how tourism, architecture, and ambition collided to reshape Florida’s identity forever.”
Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with the lecture beginning promptly at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are highly recommended in advance and can be purchased online at kwahs.org/whats-on. Admission is $13 for Society members and $17 for non-members, and each ticket includes a complimentary beverage. Early purchase is encouraged as seating is limited.
Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island.
###
IMAGE 1: Historian Dr. Cori Convertito will explore the legacy of industrialist Henry Flagler and his luxury hotel empire in “Building the American Riviera: The Hotels of Henry Flagler,” part of the Key West Art & Historical Society’s Happy Hour with the Historian series. The lecture takes place on Thursday, September 11, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Comedy Key West, 218 Whitehead Street. (Photo Credit: Library of Congress)
