The Key West Art & Historical Society will present the latest installment of its lecture series, Happy Hour with the Historian, featuring a presentation by historian Cori Convertito.
“Building the American Riviera: The Hotels of Henry Flagler,” will take place Thursday, Sept. 11 from 5 to 6 p.m. at Comedy Key West, 218 Whitehead St.
The lecture will explore the legacy of Flagler, the American industrialist and co-founder of Standard Oil who transformed Florida’s East Coast into a winter haven during the Gilded Age. Through the development of the Florida East Coast Railway and a chain of grand hotels from St. Augustine to Palm Beach and Miami, Flagler helped create what became known as the “American Riviera.”
Convertito will detail the opulence of Flagler’s resorts and the lifestyles of the leisure class that frequented them. From architectural marvels to tales of high society, the lecture offers a glimpse into the social, economic and cultural transformations that shaped modern Florida.
“Flagler’s influence on Florida’s development cannot be overstated,” said Convertito, curator and historian for the Key West Art & Historical Society. “He was a visionary who didn’t simply build railroads and hotels. He reimagined an entire region as a luxurious destination for the wealthy elite. His hotels were not just places to stay; they were statements of opulence, innovation and social aspiration.”
Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with the lecture beginning promptly at 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at kwahs.org/whats-on. Admission is $13 for society members and $17 for non-members, and each ticket includes a complimentary beverage. Seating is limited.
