The 200th anniversary of Key West’s first permanent settlement will be highlighted in a celebration commemorating the date of March 25, 1822, when U.S. Navy Lieutenant Matthew Perry raised the American flag over Key West, officially declaring American sovereignty over the Keys.

Set for March 19–30, Key West 200th celebrations will include the Key West Maritime Historical Society’s presentation of Perry’s original logbook, which details his voyage to the island on the U.S.S. Shark, for permanent safekeeping at Monroe County Public Library’s Florida History Department in Key West.

© Key West Art & Historical Society

Other events include a re-enactment of Perry’s flag planting, set for Mallory Square. Activities include the dedication of a granite time capsule to be opened in 50 years and the designation of four Key West children to be ambassadors at the island’s 250th anniversary celebration. Other Key West 200th events involve a free outdoor screening of the documentaryKey West: Come as You Are: 200 Years of History and Culture, scheduled at Fort East Martello Museum on South Roosevelt Boulevard.

The bicentennial celebration is commemorated all year in the Key West 200 exhibit at Key West Art & Historical Society’s Custom House Museum. Continuing through Dec. 11, the exhibit showcases rarely displayed artifacts from the island’s industries and commerce, migrations, transportation, architecture, culture and community, as well as influential milestones such as the Civil War, Great Depression and World War II.

© Key West Art & Historical Society

Many other Key West 200th events will take place during March and throughout the year. Additional events in Key West this year include Tropic Cinema’s monthly showings of films shot in Key West, historic and architectural walking tours, lectures, presentations and harbor tours.