Archaeological Institute of America

Wrecking in the Florida Keys
2024-04-05 18:30 (America/New_York) | Palm Beach Museum of Natural History, the Mall at Wellington Green, 10300 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington, FL, 33414, United States
Robert Feeney is a Ph.D. student in Comparative Studies at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. He received his MA in history there is 2016 and currently works in the FAU library as a Manuscript and Archives Special Collections Assistant. Robert is also a member of the City of Plantation Historic Preservation Board. His specialty is 19th century US material culture focusing on early telegraph and railroad equipment. He has been a popular guest speaker for a number of local organizations, often dressing in period costume and bringing along a display of pertinent artifacts.
During the 1800s, the wrecking industry made Key West one of the wealthiest cities in the US. Hear stories of ships and sailors hopelessly wrecked on Florida’s reef system and how they provided a livelihood for intrepid individuals willing to risk their lives to save crews and cargoes from perilous storms. See navigation tools, learn about shipboard trades, and see actual artifacts related to the practice of “wrecking.”
This is both an in-person and on-line event. For those coming to the Museum, there will be light refreshments. The on-line presentation will be available via Zoom at:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86833990236?pwd=[REDACTED]
For additional information call (561) 729-4246
