Collecting Paradise
Souvenirs & Ephemera of the Florida Keys
Step into a nostalgic journey through the Florida Keys, where memories of island adventures have long been captured in the keepsakes visitors carried home. Collecting Paradise: Souvenirs & Ephemera of the Florida Keys explores the fascinating history of tourism in the Keys and the enduring tradition of collecting souvenirs that preserve a sense of place long after a vacation has ended.
From the earliest railroad-era travelers to the heyday of roadside attractions and mid-century island vacations, generations of visitors were enchanted by the Keys’ tropical beauty, colorful culture, and carefree spirit. Along the way, they collected tangible reminders of paradise: postcards sent home, brochures tucked into suitcases, restaurant menus and matchbooks, hotel mementos, decorative objects, and locally made treasures that transformed a holiday into a lasting memory.
This exhibition showcases an exceptional collection of vintage Florida Keys memorabilia, featuring iconic textiles from Key West Hand Print Fabrics, beautifully crafted decorative items, rare postcards, travel brochures, restaurant and business collectibles, advertising pieces, maps, souvenirs, and countless other artifacts that tell the story of the Keys as one of America’s most beloved vacation destinations.
Together, these objects reveal how tourism shaped the islands’ identity while reflecting changing tastes in travel, design, and popular culture throughout the twentieth century. Rich with vibrant colors, whimsical graphics, and unmistakable tropical charm, the exhibition celebrates the artistry, craftsmanship, and nostalgia of vintage souvenirs that have become treasured collectibles in their own right.
Whether you remember bringing home a shell-covered trinket from your first trip, recognize a favorite long-gone business, or simply appreciate the design and history of vintage Americana, Collecting Paradise invites you to rediscover the Florida Keys through the objects that kept paradise alive in the hearts and homes of generations of visitors.
