Alex Vega is the Executive Director of the Key West Firehouse Museum, which is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation and exhibition of artifacts about fire fighting in Key West. Participants will learn about the fires that forged Key West, including the Great Fire of 1886. This program is sponsored by the Helmerich Trust and Southernmost Beach Resort Image: An 1884 drawing of Key West with the Great Fire of 1886 outlined. Monroe County Library Collection.

About the presentation: We will explore how small seeds of faith planted by 16th century missionaries on a small island in a new world were nurtured into a parish, survived the storms of nature and war, and ultimately would earn the attention of Rome and be honored with the distinguished title of a Minor Basilica. About the presenter: A sixth generation “Conch”, Bob grew up in Key West during the fifties and sixties.  He graduated from Key West High in…

Chip Kasper & Sandy Delgado l The 1919 Hurricane and its impacts in Key West About the presentation: The 1919 Hurricane was the fourth in a series of deadly hurricanes affecting the Florida Keys during the early 20th Century. The 1919 hurricane, which led to the sinking of the passenger ship Valbanera, resulted in perhaps the worst maritime disaster in the history of the Florida Keys. The hurricane also inspired Sister Louis Gabriel to design and build the Our Lady…