Visitors and residents can learn more about the African-Americans who helped shape Key West's history during guided cemetery strolls set for Saturday, Feb. 23, in honor of Black History Month.
The 19-acre cemetery was established in 1847. During the 90-minute strolls through the site, groups are to be escorted to the grave sites of many of the islands notable African-American residents where interpreters will tell the stories of the deceased.
Grave sites include those of Sandy Cornish, who helped establish the black communitys first church in 1865, and Thomas Romer, who served as a privateer in the War of 1812 before Key West's settlement. Participants also can view the U.S.S. Battleship Maine Memorial containing the remains of U.S. sailors who died when the Maine exploded and sank in Havana Harbor in 1898, touching off the Spanish-American War.
Strolls are scheduled to depart from the cemetery's Frances Street gate every 20 minutes beginning at 9 a.m.
The event is sponsored by the City of Key West, Historic Florida Keys Foundation and Friends of the Key West Historic Cemetery Committee.
Space on the strolls is limited and pre-registration is required. A donation of $10 per person to the Historic Florida Keys Foundation is recommended.
Event information and registration: Cynthia Edwards at 305-294-8503
Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY
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Black History Month
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