The Key West Art & Historical Society is excited to offer a series of fun historical lectures entitled ‘Happy Hour with the Historian’.
Historian: Cori Convertito Ph.D.
Topic: Healing in the Sunshine State: 19th-Century Health Travel to Florida
In the 1800s, Florida transformed from a remote frontier into a sought-after destination for those seeking health and healing. This lecture explores the booming trend of ‘health tourism’ that brought thousands of Americans and Europeans to Florida’s warm climate, fresh air, and natural springs.
We’ll dive into the medical beliefs of the era, including why doctors recommended Florida for ailments like tuberculosis, respiratory diseases, and rheumatism. Attendees will learn about the rise of health resorts, sanatoriums, and spa towns, such as St. Augustine, Palm Beach, and the springs of central Florida, that catered to wealthy visitors hoping to regain vitality.
The lecture will also examine the social and cultural impacts of this health migration: how it spurred early tourism, influenced Florida’s infrastructure and economy, and shaped the state’s image as a land of rest and renewal. Archival photos, travel diaries, and medical writings will bring to life the hopes, struggles, and experiences of these early health travelers.
Join Dr. Convertito to discover a unique chapter in Florida’s history, where medicine, climate, and travel intersected to create a new kind of pilgrimage to the Sunshine State.
- Date: March 12
- Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
- Cost: $13.00 - $17.00
- Location: Comedy Key West
