Historical Museum of the Florida Keys in Islamorada

Irving R. Eyster Historical Museum of the Florida
Keys slated for a late summer opening

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They are raising the roof, literally, at the new Irving R. Eyster Historical Museum of the Florida Keys. Construction is moving steadily along at the museum, which will be the showpiece of a 15,000-square-foot conference center at the Islander Resort in Islamorada. Slated for a late summer opening, the state-of-the-art dual facility will tell the story of the Florida Keys from prehistoric times through the early 20th century with over 14 interactive exhibit areas. Eyster, the museum’s namesake, is a Florida Keys historian, archeologist and author.

He and his wife, Jeane, hosted me in their Islamorada home three years ago. They regaled me with stories from their 60-plus years living in the Keys. That afternoon, Irving's enthusiasm for the islands' history was infectious. He wove a tantalizing description of Key West in the late 40s that resembled the West Indies. He even swapped fish tales with Ernest Hemingway! Pulling out old maps and letters, he showed me the treasures from his ongoing hunt for artifacts, memorabilia, documents and pictures from the early settlers and their descendents. He laid out plans for a museum that he envisioned would one day preserve his enormous collection for future generations. I’m so excited to see these final building blocks go into place at the Islander and know that Irving, now 93, will get to finally see his dream come true.

Tags: Florida Keys | Islamorada