in Key West; The Key West Cultural Center and Veterans Museum co-located with the William Weech American Legion Post 168! Chartered on 25 August 1946, the William Weech American Legion Post 168 has served veterans, veteran’s families and the community for over 70 years. Since 2012, the members of Post 168 in Bahama Village, have focused most of their time on saving the American Legion Hall where historic activities of Key West’s black only American Legion served the community in the 1950s and 1960s. Approximately 80 percent of their volunteer time was spent applying for grants, raising funds and monitoring structural work on the building to allow it to be safely occupied again. Since then, work on systems, such as plumbing, and other repairs, such as painting have been initiated. The exterior patching, priming and painting was completed in November 2016. Many more repairs are needed before reopening. Reopening the building is important to the community on many levels. Many local community members have had family weddings and receptions at the building and community functions. Historically, the building was referred to as the “Black Town Hall.”
Reopening the American Legion building will provide a place to preserve the historical significance of the black community in Key West, as well as the military presence here. At one time, the American Legion Post 168 provided services to over 10,000 black military members in the Keys. The State of Florida has awarded Post 168 with a grant for $154,000.00 to allow the building to become ADA compliant, replace the electrical system, install windows, and many other repairs required prior to re-opening. The post has also requested matching funds in the amount of $131,000.00 from the City of Key West, Tax Increment Funds, to complete all the major renovations. At the same time, the post is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to perform minor repairs and improvements that are not included in the efforts funded by the grants. Also, an application for project funds is being prepared by Home Depot and Service Source, an organization that provides building improvements for disabled veterans. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012 and is on the State of Florida Heritage Trail for African Americans. Recently, an official State of Florida historic marker has been approved and, as soon as funding is available, will be manufactured and placed in front of the building. In addition, we plan to have a museum on the Mezzanine level, to educate the public display Key West Military History. The Legion Hall has a big stage for performances and presentations and can seat up to 300 people. The Hall can provide a facility for community educational seminars, veteran’s functions, training on care and respect for the U.S. Flag, talks on how to improve community safety, services for veterans and their families, training in disaster preparedness, assistance for first responders, and mentorship for youth through various programs, which are central to the purpose of the National American Legion, established by Congress in 1919.
