Key West Museum of Art & History, Key West

The Key West Museum of Art & History, also known as the Custom House Museum, is an important part of Key West's historical scene and serves as a reminder of the city's rich architectural and cultural heritage.

The presented here exhibits include everything, from maritime artifacts to fine art, as well as items related to shipwreck salvaging, cigar manufacturing, and the island's famous literary personalities, such as Ernest Hemingway and Robert Frost, plus the works by long-ago local artists with many talents and backgrounds.

The building itself is also an important artifact and serves as an excellent example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, much popular in the late 19th century. It was constructed in 1891 to a design by William Alfred Freret who used for its construction red bricks brought from New York, iron from Pennsylvania, and workers from all over the United States.

Over the years, the building has served various functions, including a courthouse and customhouse (responsible for collecting import duties and enforcing maritime laws), until 1932, and then as a post office, until 1972. In the late 1970s, it was slated for demolition, but a group of concerned citizens formed the Key West Art & Historical Society and worked to save the building and turn it into a museum. The latter officially opened to the public in 1991.

On off-weather days, this museum is a great place to visit for the terrific artwork on display, as well as for the wonderful educational boards and artifacts to delight both history buffs and a more general audience. An affordable, comprehensive, and air-conditioned experience.

Tip:
Be sure to make time for the gift shop – a gold mine of top-quality items at reasonable prices; not exactly what one would expect in a beach town. Books by local authors, art, fun decor pieces, jewelry... So many pretty things!