Key West Aquarium facts for kids
Front of the aquarium
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| Date opened | 1934 |
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| Location | Key West, Florida, United States |
| Coordinates | 24°33′33″N 81°48′26″W / 24.5590437°N 81.8073156°W |
The Key West Aquarium is a fun place to visit in Key West, Florida, United States. It's the only public aquarium in Key West and is found at 1 Whitehead Street. You can spot it by Historic Marker 52.
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Discovering the History of Key West Aquarium
The Key West Aquarium was built between 1932 and 1934. This makes it one of Florida's oldest aquariums! When it first opened, adults paid 15 cents to get in, and children paid only 5 cents.
The idea for the aquarium came from Dr. Robert Van Deusen. He was the Director of the Fairmount Park Aquarium in Philadelphia. The Key West Aquarium was special because it was originally an open-air aquarium. It was one of the first and largest of its kind at that time.
How the Great Depression Helped Build the Aquarium
During the 1930s, the Great Depression caused many money problems across the United States. Key West was hit very hard by this economic disaster. The island even gave control of its government to the federal government.
The federal government thought Key West's sunny weather and great location would make it a perfect place for tourists. So, they sent in the Works Project Administration (WPA). The WPA was a government program that created jobs. They helped build the aquarium as a new tourist attraction.
Exploring the Aquarium's Amazing Exhibits
The Key West Aquarium is home to many interesting sea creatures. You can see different types of animals and learn about their lives.
What Animals Live at the Aquarium?
The aquarium has special areas for many creatures. You can find exhibits featuring:
- Alligators
- Atlantic shore fish
- Jellyfish
- Sharks
- Sea turtles
There is also a fun touch tank. Here, you can gently touch some sea animals and learn about them up close!
Key West Aquarium in Pop Culture
The Key West Aquarium has even been featured in art! A famous writer named James Merrill wrote about it. He included the aquarium in his poem called Key West Aquarium: The Sawfish.
