Key West Commemorates Civil War Sesquicentennial

Summary: 150 years after the end of the fighting Key West Florida visits its unique place in Civil War history with a presentation at the historic Federal Customs House

February 17 2015 Key West FL-Although Key West Florida has achieved recent fame and notoriety as a tropical vacation tourist mecca it holds many interesting footnotes in the annals of history none more surprising than its unique position during the Civil War. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the ending of the war the Key West Art & Historical Society is holding a special lecture. Narrated by noted local historian Mark Moss The Civil War in Key West is the next installment in their Distinguished Speaker Series.

“Key West was the most prosperous city in Florida at the time” Moss said when announcing the subject of his upcoming lecture “and although Florida was a Confederate State the union army managed to maintain control of the major fort in town Fort Zachary Taylor.” Moss went on to add that being located so far from the mainland itself much less the actual fighting most residents continued on with life as they always had albeit under the constructs of martial law.

The Civil War in Key West scheduled to take place on Thursday February 26th is just one in a series of talks sponsored by the Key West Art & Historical Society and presented at the Federal Customs House. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and located on Front Street these talks help to present a different side to Key West and its tourists than most people might know about.

“It’s always a great experience to see someone learn more about what a rich city Key West really is while they’re on vacation” said Norman Vogel owner of the Roof Top Café an iconic Key West restaurant located just a block down from the Customs House. “Historically architecturally culturally there is so much more to Key West that any opportunity the island has to present itself in a new light is something that I’m glad they take advantage of.”

Tickets to this special event are available on a very limited basis and event organizer Gerri Sitodi advises anyone who is interested to purchase their tickets early. All proceeds go to benefit the continuing efforts to preserve the conservation efforts of the Key West Art & Historical Society and to keep the history of Key West Florida alive.

For more information about the Distinguished Speaker Series please visit their website: http://www.kwahs.org/

For more information about the Roof Top Café please visit their website: http://www.rooftopcafekeywest.com/

Jack Terry is a freelance lifestyle and history writer who resided in key West for several years.