In the 1950s Key West’s citizens watched as several of their most valued architectural treasures were lost to neglect or new development. These events galvanized preservationists to organize the nonprofit Old Island Restoration Foundation in 1960 to promote the preservation and restoration of historically significant buildings.
Over the years, Old Island Restoration Foundation has raised and granted hundreds of thousands of dollars to maintain the Oldest House Museum and to award grants to restore historical buildings in Key West, including Old City Hall, the Custom House, the Martello Forts, the Key West Lighthouse, the Women’s Club, several churches, and more. The Foundation also awards a scholarship each year to a Key West High School student.
