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Key West Art & Historical Society collecting, preserving, and presenting Key West’s history, since 1949. |
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Exhibit Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Keys Railroad’s Completion
The railroad and its construction are showcased in “Flagler’s Speedway to Sunshine,” a comprehensive new exhibit at the Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House, 281 Front St. The exhibit also spotlights the upcoming 100th anniversary of the inaugural train’s Key West arrival on Jan. 22, 2012. Conceived by Standard Oil millionaire Henry Flagler, the rail line was begun in 1905 and was officially called the Florida East Coast Railway’s Key West Extension. The $50 million line became known as the Oversea Railway because its track stretched more than 100 miles out into open water. Its bridges and viaducts connecting the Keys, including a nearly seven-mile-long bridge at Marathon in the Middle Keys, were regarded as an engineering marvel. The Custom House exhibit features a re-created Florida East Coast railcar, a replica of a section of the Seven Mile Bridge, vintage footage of the journey from the Middle Keys to Key West and a film recounting Flagler’s story and the arrival of the first train. Artifacts include a railroad worker’s tool chest, conductor’s uniform and other rare items from the collection of Seth Bramson, America’s foremost collector of Florida East Coast Railway memorabilia. Quotes from railroad workers, Key West townspeople and Flagler himself help bring alive the railroad’s fascinating story. In association with the landmark exhibit, a series of Custom House events is planned to commemorate the railroad’s completion. Among them are a model train expo and lectures by noted railroad historians including Bramson. |
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KEY WEST MUSEUM OF ART & HISTORY at the CUSTOM HOUSE Photography Policy Still photography is permitted for private, noncommercial use only in the Museum's galleries and on the historic grounds. Photographs cannot be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner whatsoever. For press and other special photography, including filming and videotape projects, call the Curator (305-295-6616, ext 112 ) during business hours or fax (305) 295-6649. The Museum reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to withhold and/or withdraw permission to photograph on its premises or to reproduce photographs of objects in its collection. | |
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In January 1912, the first Oversea Railway train steamed from the Florida mainland through the Florida Keys to Key West, marking the completion of the railroad connecting the previously isolated islands with the mainland and each other.