The Florida Keys History & Discovery Center recently opened a new interactive exhibit, “Currents & Flows: Power and Water in the Florida Keys.”
This immersive display traces how access to fresh water and electricity has shaped life in the Keys — from early rainwater cisterns and household generators to the modern systems that power and supply the community.
Sponsored by the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative and the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, the exhibit highlights the origins of the region’s utility services and the decades of innovation it has taken to provide reliable water and electricity to a growing population. It also looks to the future, showcasing how these agencies are responding to new challenges and increasing demand.
Designed for all ages, the exhibit features a “build your own aqueduct” station, a simulated fishing area and touchscreen displays where visitors can test their electrical safety knowledge or dive into facts about Florida’s aquifers.
“This exhibit is about more than infrastructure. It’s about how people came together to build and sustain life in a place that wasn’t always easy to live in,” said Heather Gonyeau, the exhibit’s curator. “It’s a tribute to the sheer determination and resilience of Keys residents.” The Florida Keys History & Discovery Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This project was made possible with financial support from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.
