Viva Florida Traveling Exhibit on View at Key West International Airport

Tallahassee –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today that Key West International Airport in Monroe County will be the next to host the Viva Florida traveling exhibition from the Museum of Florida History's TREX Program, Viva Florida: Florida Before Statehood. This follows a three month stay in Marianna where it was on display at the Jackson County Visitor Center.  The exhibition will run from July 11 through October 11, 2014 in the departure lounge at Key West International Airport and is sponsored by Key West Historic Marker Tour, Inc.

"We are thrilled to have this exhibit on display in Key West," said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. "By having the exhibit on view for travelers seeking an escape to paradise, we hope to add to their experience sharing Florida's rich and diverse 12,000 years of history."

Key West International Airport is operated by Monroe County. It is anticipated that approximately 80,000 passengers will be able to view the exhibit. Key West International Airport is among the three locations confirmed to receive the traveling exhibit this year.  Pembroke Pines library in Broward County will display the exhibit next with the opening scheduled for October 2014.

Viva Florida: Florida Before Statehood begins with a look back at Florida's first people and the tribes that were recorded here at the time of European contact.  Tracing history through the first colonizing attempts in the United States made by French and Spanish settlers, the exhibition also draws attention to the exchanges and interactions between Native Americans and Europeans.  With information about 500 years since the landing of Juan Ponce de León and the interrelated history of African Americans in Florida, as well as the contemporary story of the Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes, Viva Florida: Florida Before Statehood captures a snapshot of Florida's history and cultural diversity in an interesting and appealing way.

The exhibit is available for any school, library or museum to bring into their regular programing for 2015. For information about the exhibit, visit VivaFlorida.org

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About Viva Florida:

In 2013, Florida reached a significant milestone, the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de León's arrival on Florida's east coast. Building on the success of Viva Florida 500 in 2013, the Florida Department of State continues to work with partners statewide to promote cultural and historical experiences through a multi-year campaign called Viva Florida, which promotes 12,000 years of Florida's people, places and cultural achievements.  For more information visit VivaFlorida.org

About the Museum of Florida History's TREX Program:

With almost 20 exhibits available for museums and other organizations to hire, the Museum of Florida History's TREX program offers traveling exhibitions ranging from alligators and citrus labels to archaeology and art.  For more information about how to bring Florida history, art and culture to life in your community visit MuseumofFloridaHistory.com/Exhibits.

About Key West Historic Marker Tour, Inc.:

Key West Historic Marker Tour is a non-profit that has been researching and disseminating the history and heritage of the Florida Keys for the past four years.  Information on 72 historic sites can be found by visiting Historic Markers throughout Key West's historic district, by a free phone tour (305.507.0300), walking maps and a corresponding website KeyWestHistoricMarkerTour.org.