The Historic Key West Cemetery is set to host its second Cemetery Stroll of the season on Sunday, February 23, 2025. This event offers participants a unique opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of Key West's past by visiting the final resting places of some of its most notable residents.
During the stroll, small groups will be guided to various gravesites, where interpreters will share stories and perform brief monologues about the deceased. Among the individuals to be featured are Frank Adams, Ellen Sanchez, Nelson England, Coffee Butler, Roosevelt Sands, Willie Ward, and William McKenzie.
Tours are expected to last approximately 90 minutes. Pre-registration is required. Reservations can be made by calling or texting 305-304-1453 or by emailing hfkf@bellsouth.net. A donation of $20 per person is recommended, with all proceeds dedicated to the restoration efforts of the cemetery.
An additional stroll, highlighting different gravesites, is scheduled for March 23, 2025. These cemetery strolls are sponsored by the City of Key West and the Historic Florida Keys Foundation.
The Key West Cemetery, established in 1847, spans 19 acres and is the final resting place for approximately 100,000 people, reflecting the island's diverse cultural heritage. Notably, the cemetery includes sections dedicated to Cuban independence fighters, Confederate and Union soldiers, and a memorial to the U.S.S. Maine.
The City Cemetery is on "high ground, 16 feet above sea level" in Key West following the disastrous hurricane of October 11, 1846, where the then beach-side cemetery was unearthed due to the winds and seas.
This continues to be an active cemetery with about 100 interments a year.