Matecumbe Historical Trust Corp.

Memorial Day Service
2025-05-26 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Islamorada Hurricane Monument, mm 81.5
The Matecumbe Historical Trust will hold their annual Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 26th at the Islamorada Hurricane Monument, mile marker 81.5 starting at 9:00 AM.
The ceremony will include an introduction, the Invocation, Presentation of Colors, the Pledge, National Anthem, guest speakers, the laying of the Memorial Wreath, Taps, and patriotic songs followed by the benediction.
Residents and visitors are welcome to attend in observance of Memorial Day. For additional information, please contact Barbara at 305-393-0940. The wreath is sponsored by Centennial Bank

“Through the eyes of a Spiny Lobster”
2025-07-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Islamorada Public Library, 81830 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL, 33936, United States
Lindsey Crews will present “Through the eyes of a Spiny Lobster”. Free presentation will be held at the Islamorada Public Library located at 81830 Overseas Highway on Tuesday, July 15th starting at 6 pm.
In this presentation, we will explore the life of a Florida Spiny Lobster, from its larval stage in the open ocean currents to the ecosystems of the Florida Keys. We will dive into how they survive within the mangroves, seagrass, and coral reef ecosystems within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and their cultural and economic importance to the area. We will also highlight resources on where to find information about the upcoming lobster season including rules and regulations.
Lindsey joined the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in 2021 as a science and outreach coordinator, sharing her love of science and the environment with locals and visitors. The southeastern Virginia native was inspired into the marine biology field by educational programs around Chesapeake Bay. Crews holds a bachelor’s degree in marine biology and a master’s degree in environmental education and interpretation from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. She previously served as an educator for the North Carolina Aquariums and as park ranger at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo.
For more information call 305-393-0940.

Keys Worst Hurricanes
2025-08-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Islamorada Public Library, 81830 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL, 33936, United States
The Matecumbe Historical Trust next free presentation will be held on Tuesday, August 12th at 6:00 pm in the Islamorada Public Library located at mm 81.5. The presentation “Keys Worst Hurricanes” is from the Irving R Eyster collection and will show several of our local Hurricanes starting with the 1733 Spanish Treasure Fleet, leading up to the 1935 Hurricane, Hurricane Donna in 1960 and Hurricane Irma in 2017. These were some of the most destructive hurricanes in Florida Keys history with the 1935 Hurricane being the strongest storm of the century.
The Presentation is free and open to the public. For more information call 305-393-0940.

Labor Day Service - 90th Anniversary of the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane
2025-09-01 09:00 - 10:00 | Islamorada Hurricane Monument, mm 81.5
The Matecumbe Historical Trust will hold their annual Labor Day Service on Monday, September 1st starting at 9am at the Islamorada Hurricane Monument, mile marker 81.5. Please join us in memory of those who perished 90 years ago in the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane.
The Hurricane Monument memorializes hundreds of local citizens and American Veterans who perished in the two hundred mile an hour winds and 17-foot storm surge. After World War 1, over 600 veterans came to the Florida Keys to help complete U.S. Highway One, along with other projects. The storm hit resulting in the death of almost five hundred people, many who lived here along with the veterans who were not removed and should have been.
Each year the Matecumbe Historical Trust holds a service to pay tribute to those who lost their lives. On the 75th anniversary of the storm, the Matecumbe Historical Trust hosted the first survivor’s reunion with seven of the survivors telling what they went through the night of the hurricane. We will retell parts of what they said. There are only two survivors left.
The service will include the introduction, Invocation, Presentation of Colors, National Anthem, guest speakers, history of the hurricane, the laying of the memorial wreath, Taps, Patriotic songs, and the Benediction. For more information, please call 305-393-0940.
