On Sunday, Sept. 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., join the staff of the Fort East Martello Museum, 3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd., to explore one of the island’s Civil War-era forts and its exhibits. Dubbed “Family Museum Day,” the program is designed to coincide with the Key West Art & Historical Society’s popular Community Day, which offers free museum admission for Monroe County residents the first Sunday of each month.
While on the property, families are invited to take a self-guided tour of the fort and citadel, explore the outdoor sculpture garden, and view artwork created by celebrated Keys folk artist Stanley Papio. In addition to free admission, adults and children are welcome to explore the history of Florida’s indigenous people in the air-conditioned Lee Garrison Classroom by joining society education specialist Kassandra Collett and art educator Jenni Franke to create art inspired by South Florida’s first people.
“Known as the ‘Shell Indians’ due to their large shell mounds and creative use in tool making, the Calusa also carved and painted masks and animal figurines from wood such as the gumbo limbo, cypress, and buttonwood,” says Collett. “We welcome all families to the museum to study the tools, beads, sherds, and a dugout canoe on display at the museum and then create art inspired by objects found at Calusa sites around South Florida.”The Family Museum Day program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required, and all supplies will be provided by the Key West Art & Historical Society. More information is at kwahs.org/upcoming-events. or from Collett at 305-295-6616 x504 or kcollett@kwahs.org.
