Imagine exploring the present-day streets of Key West, Florida immersed in the stories of the past. Designed to unveil the details of the often hidden history of the Afro-Caribbean culture present since the early 19th century. This project aims to raise awareness and create conversation surrounding the rich cultural, economic, political, and societal contributions of the Black American Seaman through multi-modal narrative remembering. Users will have the ability to discover this artistic representation of Afro-Caribbean history in Key West using audio, visuals, and augmented reality via their mobile device. Stories of people, places and the artifacts used to shape the culture and community now known as Bahama Village will be presented as an immersive museum/tour-guided experience in the form of a mobile application.

As the first (virtually) active space using sites in spaces as museum in Key West to highlight the history and culture of Bahama Village, “ARkeyology” will feature the lives of the people of color who lived on the island and contributed to the community prior to its gentrification. Unlock the stories hidden around every corner in the city of Key West, especially in Old Town, where a majority of the Black population lived and thrived. Tucked away in the alleys home to shotgun houses and old storefronts are stories waiting to be uncovered and shared, related to the rich lives and history of the Black men, women and their families.

In an effort to create a space to remember, reflect and create dialogue, users will interact with audiovisual, augmented storytelling, situating them temporarily in place and time to consider what it would have been like to live as a 'Conch of Color'. The presentation of this project through augmented reality raises awareness, allows access, and promotes exploration of self and preservation of history and culture.

All photography provided by the Monroe County Public Library