History of Islamorada and The Florida Keys

The Matecumbe Historical Trust Corp. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the education, history and preservation of the Florida Keys.

Our Mission: To enrich the lives of Florida Keys residents and visitors by providing them with the region's history, artifacts, photographs and other historically significant resources.

Our Vision: To preserve the history of the Florida Keys by building the Irving R. Eyster Museum which will display and house historical artifacts, documents and memorabilia.

Irving R. Eyster
Florida Keys Historian & Archaeologist

Irving Eyster taught archaeology at FIU and University of Miami; anthropology at Miami-Dade Community College and was a Dade County archaeologist for two years. He is a member of the Society of Professional Archaeologists and served on the Historic Florida Keys Preservation Board for 16 years. He is president of Matecumbe Historical Trust. His books include: Indian Key, Handbook of South Florida Archaeology, and Islamorada and more. His newest book is Dr. Jeremiah Reade Explores Florida in 1882 - 1883.