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Biennial Report OFFICE OF: Chairman Puriegton Howanitz BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RICHARD A. KERR, District 1 PURIEGTON "PURIE" HOWANITZ, District 2 JERRY HERNANDEZ, JR., District 3 JEROME SHIPLEY, District 4 DON SCHLOESSER, District 5 P.O. Box 1680 . . . '.~.....~~ November 1, 1978 Mr. Robert M. Baker Regional Director Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Southeast Region Office 148 Cain Street Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Dear Mr. Baker: This is the Eighth Biennial Report, covering the period of November 1, 1976 to November 1, 1978 for the former Federally owned Surplus Property (portion) Key West LiJhthouse Museum, Key West, Florida (T-FLA--53 and T-FLA-553A) . I hope this report contains all the information you might need. Very truly yours, Puriegton Howanitz Mayor and Chairman Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida PH/Vp cc: file Enclosure r,'" i .. r \ i i \ \.... \ \ \ ,'; \ " i \ \) J .......-_..~ ,- " [, ,', ',l r \ ; i \j EIGHTH B I ENN I AL REPORT OF THE KEY WEST LI GHTHOUSE MUSEUM - KEY WEST, FLORI DA (T-FLA-553 and T-FLA-553A) AS OF NOVEMBER 1. 1978 I. ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE A. Administrative Organization A pa i d di rector has been hired by the Key Wes tArt & Hi s'tori ca 1 Society to oversee both Martello Tower and Lighthouse Museumso Chairman of the Museum is a volunteer retired Army Colonel who works with the paid curator and receptionist. A CETA employee mans the Lighthouse Tower for 20 hours per week, plus 2 hired employees. B. Available Public Services No change from the Eighth Biennial Report. C. Improvements and Developments 10 The Marines left Key West artifacts to be returned to them if they return to Key West. This includes loving cups, brass plaques, flags, covers, pictures from 1800's, etc. 2. Coast Guard display updated with glass globes found near Tortugas Light; pieces of lens found at sea (underwater). Pictures of new and old ships and helicopters in the service. 3. Collection of World War I pilot's pictures (Lt. Wm. Reich), stationed here showing W.W.I planes and blimps, also dress sword pur- chased at one of the first emporium's "Wolko.-lskys" in Key West. 4. Three large mahogany sho.-lcases donated by Ronnie Gamble in memory of his parents, CWO and Mrs. William Gamble. 5. Collection of pictures - Circa 1950 of the Naval Base. 6. Large build-up of communication section - oldest branch of Navy in continuous service in Key West. Plaques - lights switches, conduits, etc. 7. Civil war shell with outstanding story and combination Civil War knife-fork to be used by one armed soldiers. Page 2 Improvements and Developments (cont.) 8. Iron parts and dates in Iron from Presidential Gate. 9. Missiles repainted by Army and Navy back to original colors. 10. Due to three break-ins the reception room - porch has been temp- orarily boarded up until a decorative iron grill protec~ive design can be installed. 11. Due to vandalism our sunken garden has been destroyed but a new gardener is in the process of repairing it. The trees and vines des- troyed or stolen are to be replaced. 12. All rooms have been repainted as stated to be done in previous report. 13. Back porch enclosed to make gallery and extra air conditioner added. D. Financial Statements 1. Apartment on grounds rented to receptionist as in previous report. 20 A CETA guard is on duty 5 to 12 P.M., five days a week cutting down on vandalism. E. Extent of Public Use 1. Since last report (December 176 - a banner Bicentennial year) over 53,000 visitors have been admitted with November and December still to be accounted for. 2. Expect each year to increase as the praise and compliments have been outstanding. 3. New brochure enclosed with misprints to be corrected in next printing. 4. Schools and clubs still tour museum free of charge. I I. FUTURE PROGRAM A. Reception porch to be enhanced with wrought iron protective grill work so the social programs can continue for donors of artifactso f J/ 0017 Or1. .` � / ° United States Department of the Interior „4a HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE IN REPLY REFER TO: SOUTHEAST REGIONAL OFFICE 2402 148 International Boulevard T-FLA-553 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 T-FLA-553A APR 2 3 1979 Honorable Puriegton Howanitz Mayor and Chairman Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County P.O. Box 1680 Key West, FL 33040 Dear Honorable Howanitz: Thank you for the eighth biennial report for the Key West Lighthouse Museum, former Federal surplus real property, Nos. T-FLA-553 and T-FLA-553A (Portion) Key West Light Station. We are accepting the report as evidence that Monroe County is complying with the deed of conveyance. Sincerely yours, Robert M. Baker Regional Director cc: Mr. Warren G. _Moody Director Real Property Division (4DR) General Services Administration I JOlE E. DOLEZAL Chairman of the Board and Mayor Key West Line 294.1810 Ext. 119 Box 1029, Duck Key Marathon, FL 33050 743.4466 Marathon Line 743-5632 July 17, 1981 Mr. Robert M. Baker Regional Director Bureau of Outdoor Recreation Southeast Region Office 148 Cain Street Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Dear Mr. Baker: We are indeed sorry for this unreasonable delay tn filing this report. During the time when the report was due our Curator resigned. Thereafter, the County changed Administrators, and I have now been tfie Mayor and Chatr~ man of the Board since last November. These documents came across my desk recently, and! hasten to get them on to you. This is the Ninth Biennial Report, covering the pertod of November 1, 1978 to November 1~ 1980 for the former Federally owned Surplus ProRerty (portion) Key W~st Ltght Station~ Key West~ Florida (T~PLA~553A). I hope this report contains all the information you might need. GED/ck Enclosure ~inCertYj;~Jl ~r;e E, Dolezal Chairman of the Board and May'or NINTH BIENNIAL R..t.!.;J;,JURl' UF THE KEY WEST LILT.t'il1-iULJ.:J.c.. MUSEUM - KEY WEST, FLORIDA (T-FLA-553 and T-FLA-553A) AS OF NOVEMBER 1. 1980 1. ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE A. Administrative Organization A paid (Hrector of the Key West Art & Historical Society continues to oversee both Martello and Lighthouse Museums. A new Chair- man of the Lighthouse Museum has been named to work especially on rennovating and improving the museum. The paid full-time curator and paid part-time receptionist continue their duties. B. Available Public Services No change from Eighth Biennial Report. C. Improvements and Developments 1. A U. S. Navy historic F-9 cougar jet fighter plane formerly flown by the famous Blue Angels was donated and installed on the grounds of the museum. A major and popular acqui- sition for the museum. 2. A WW II German stereo map reader and projector with accompanying slides were donated. 3. Many miscellaneous military items donated: flags, plaques, helmets, uniforms, photographs, documents, etc. 4. An extremely successful fund-raising barbecue was held on the museum grounds; proceeds to be used for rennovation and improvements. D. Financial Stateme,'nts 1. Apartment on grounds rented to receptionist as in previous report. 2. Admission charge for museum and lighthouse raised from $1. 50 to $1. 75. E. Extent of Public Use 1. Since last report (November 1978) over 52, 000 visitors have been admitted; this in spite of the drop in Key West tourism in 1980 due to Cuban refugees, water shortage, bad weather, etc. 2. The attendance records and great popularity continue bringing optimisim that with a few improvements the attendance should increase. 3. Many educational groups still tour museum free of charge. 4. The Lighthouse Museum was featured on Channel 4 TV, Miami (PM Magazine) and continues to receive constant publicity in all other media. III. FUTURE PROGRAM With the appointment of a new and industrious Chairman, the fund-raiSing benefit (and others planned foj,' the future), plans are already underway for exciting rennovations and improvements in the museum, focusing especially on brightening and enhancing the overall appearance of the museum and re-installing the exhibits in a more comprehensive and attractive manner.