[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 116 (Thursday, September 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1813-E1814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE OPENING OF THE KEY WEST MUSEUM OF ART AND HISTORY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 8, 1999

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a very 
important event. On August 28, 1999, Key West's historic 108-year-

[[Page E1814]]

old Custom House opened its doors as the Key West Museum of Art and 
History, restored and operated by the Key West Art and Historical 
Society. One of Florida's architectural treasures, the Customs House 
will now serve as both a showcase for regional, national, and 
international fine art collections, and a repository of artifacts 
relating to the history and culture of the Florida Keys.
  Originally completed in 1891 on the historic port waterfront of the 
island city, the Custom House was used as a center-piece of federal 
authority. Occupied at various times by the collector of customs, 
federal court, and postal and lighthouse services, the building has a 
long history of supporting the city's maritime-based economy. While Key 
West was the largest city and port in Florida, the Customs House became 
the center for taxation regulation and immigration.
  It is crucial to note the importance of the Customs House at the 
national level, as well as at the state and local level. Beginning in 
1898, during the Spanish-American War, this historic building housed 
civil service and naval activities. At one time, 104 naval vessels 
worked out of the port dominated by the Customs House. This occupation 
continued until 1976 when the Navy had to close its Key West sea base. 
Based on its extensive history, the Customs House is listed in the 
National Register of Historic Places, and it is truly one of the most 
important architectural treasures in the state of Florida today.
  Now, after a restoration effort which took nine years and cost 
approximately $8 million, Key West's historic building is home to the 
Key West Museum of Art and History. Original woodwork, plaster, 
flooring, stone, brickwork, and fixtures have been preserved or 
carefully reproduced to make the revitalized Custom House both 
architecturally faithful. With this restoration process came the 
challenge of locating historically accurate materials and craftsmen 
with knowledge of century-old building techniques. This formidable 
challenge could not have been met without the aid of the Monroe County 
Tourist Development Council, various state agencies, individuals, 
foundations and corporations. Indeed, the entire Florida community and 
nation at large owe a debt of gratitude to all who gave the monetary 
support to this undertaking.
  The Key West Art and Historical Society endows the new museum with 
excellent educational programs, services, and exhibitions, for children 
and adults alike. Housing a state of the art interactive public archive 
and research facility, the Key West Art and Historical Society develops 
programs in conjunction with the Monroe County Public Schools' 
curriculum, providing educational opportunities to over 8,000 Monroe 
County students, as well as thousands of other visiting school children 
and tourists.
  For the ``Community Opening'' of the Key West Art and History Museum, 
the historical exhibition Remember the Maine returned to Key West and 
was installed in the USS Maine Room on the second floor of the museum. 
This is a fitting and historic placement for this exhibit, because of 
the building's prominent naval history. The first traveling art exhibit 
is scheduled to open on September 22, thus achieving the Society's 
goals of national recognition and acclaim.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the hard work and dedication that has gone 
into the Key West Museum of Art and History. As the Museum officially 
opens its doors to the public, the Customs House is once again the site 
of a historical moment for the State of Florida, as well as the nation 
at large. On this joyous occasion, I would like to congratulate all 
those who have contributed to this important endeavor, and extend my 
best wishes for all success in the future.

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