Happy Hour with the Historian: Outpost in the Storm: Key West and the Civil War’s Southernmost Front

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: Outpost in the Storm: Key West and the Civil War’s Southernmost Front

While most Civil War battles raged far to the north, the island of Key West stood as a critical — and often forgotten — Union foothold deep within Confederate-leaning Florida. This lecture delves into the strategic and symbolic importance of Key West, examining how Fort Zachary Taylor became a linchpin for the Union Navy’s blockade of the South.

Dr. Convertito will explore how this tropical outpost maintained its loyalty to the Union despite the secession of Florida, and how it served as a haven, prison, and launch point for military operations in the Gulf of Mexico. From the quiet resistance of local Confederate sympathizers to the role of African American soldiers and laborers, Key West’s Civil War history is rich with untold stories of tension, resilience, and transformation. Join us as we uncover the complexities of a community caught between war, geography, and divided loyalties.