Key West cemetery stroll offers living history and community support

The City of Key West is hosting a guided Historic Key West Cemetery Stroll today, with small groups departing at 9:30, 9:50 and 10:10 a.m. Walkers will be escorted to gravesites where costumed interpreters perform short monologues about the lives buried there. The hour-and-a-half walk covers uneven ground and is meant to highlight the layered histories of Key West residents and families.

Featured gravesites on the tour include Captain Willard Antonio Gomez, Los Martires de Cuba, Elena Milagro Hoyos, Archibald Sheldon Yates, Frank Booth and the Figueredo Family Plot. Organizers say the performances aim to bring personal stories to light and underscore the cemetery as an outdoor classroom for local history and heritage conservation.

The stroll is presented in partnership with the Historic Florida Keys Foundation. Pre-registration is required and a recommended donation will go to the foundation’s cemetery restoration and education work. Those planning to attend should be prepared for uneven terrain and outdoor conditions; comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are advised.

For Monroe County residents, the event blends cultural preservation with civic stewardship. The cemetery holds the island’s multicultural past—mariners, immigrant families and community leaders—and guided interpretations can deepen public understanding of how Key West was shaped. At a time when funding for preservation often competes with other municipal priorities, the donation-supported model used here channels community support directly into maintenance and educational programming.

There are also equity and access considerations. The physical demands of a 90-minute walk on uneven ground may exclude older adults and people with mobility challenges. Pre-registration helps organizers manage group size but can be a barrier for those without internet access or transportation. Public agencies and nonprofits in Monroe County face a continuing challenge to make history programming both inclusive and safe while stretching tight preservation budgets.

From a public health perspective, outdoor, small-group formats reduce risks associated with indoor gatherings, but attendees should still consider personal safety: wear sturdy footwear, bring water, and plan for sun exposure even in winter months. Local volunteers and foundation staff typically oversee crowd flow and interpretive stops to keep groups moving and respectful of grave sites.

The takeaway? These cemetery strolls are a chance to learn the island’s stories while supporting upkeep that benefits everyone. Our two cents? If you go, register early, wear sensible shoes, bring a small donation if you can, and treat the place and its histories with the care they deserve.