Want to discover the history of our southernmost county and celebrate two anniversaries at once?
In honor of Monroe County’s 203rd birthday and the country’s 250th, historian Corey Malcom will present “Monroe 203” on Wednesday, July 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the Key West library auditorium, 700 Fleming St.
Malcom’s presentation will examine the history of Monroe County and its role in the development of the nation. The talk will cover the two centuries of settlement of the Florida Keys, when the island chain has relied on shipwreck salvaging, cigar manufacturing, fishing, tourism, the Navy and other livelihoods.
The talk is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and is first-come, first-served.
Malcom is the lead historian at the Florida Keys History Center. Located at the Key West library, the history center is the foremost archive for documents and photographs relating to Keys history. It is dedicated to the stewardship, knowledge and understanding of the historic, cultural and ecological diversity of the islands.
Many of the center’s holdings, including almost 25,000 photographs, are online. You can learn more and explore the collection at keyslibraries.org/keyshistory.
The Key West branch of the Monroe County Public Library, 700 Fleming St., has a small parking lot behind the building, with an entrance off Elizabeth Street. Please allow time to find on-street parking. The library is a stop on the Key West Rides on-demand bus system.
