REGISTER FOR THE TRIP HERE ($150.00 PER STUDENT)

Buses will depart at 6:30 AM from Columbus and return by 11:00 PM in what promises to be a unique educational opportunity and a fun-filled day. Among the confirmed speakers are Seth Bramson, considered to be the foremost authority on the history of Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad, Rafael Peñalver, a Columbus graduate (Class of 1969) who successfully led the 30-year effort to save the San Carlos Institute, Alfred Lopez, PhD, head of Purdue University’s Inter-American Department and author of Jose Marti: A Revolutionary Life and Columbus’ faculty members Pedro Garcia Casals and Javier Hermida.

Some of the topics the tour will cover include:
Florida Geography and History
Geography and ecology of Keys, marine sanctuary, coral reefs, diving and fishing Cuba and Florida Keys – a brief history

Cuba / US History
Ideals and Aspirations for Cuba’s Freedom (1800 to Present)
Cuba’s War of Independence - Role of Key West and Tampa exile communities
The San Carlos Institute
The life and works of Jose Marti
The USS Maine explosion -Spanish-American War
Florida’s Cuban-American community (1850’s to Present)
Brief history of the Cuban Republic, Revolution and Exile
Harry Truman and Key West

One of the highlights of the tour will be a visit to the San Carlos Institute, founded in 1871, and cradle of Cuba’s independence movement. Jose Marti united the exile community at San Carlos and called it “La Casa Cuba”. The San Carlos stands as a living monument to the perseverance of the Cuban people in their struggle for freedom. Additionally, Congressman Carlos Gimenez has accepted our invitation to hold a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony at the San Carlos Institute. This will be a great opportunity for students to see the democratic process in action.

Alfred Lopez, Ph.D., chair of Purdue University’s Inter-American Studies will present his book on the life and works of Jose Marti followed by a recital of Jose Marti’s poems by Columbus students and members of the Poetry Guild of Key West.

The San Carlos’ program will be followed by a tour of the Truman Little White House where President Harry Truman made some major decisions of his presidency.

The students will get a taste of the Florida Keys with a lunch of lobster roll or fish or chicken sandwich and key lime pie at Keys Fisheries in Marathon and a Cuban Conch dinner buffet served in the grounds of the Little White House.

The tour will end with the Sunset Celebration in Key West’s Mallory Pier.

Click here to download a detailed schedule of the tour. Please feel free to reach out to Mr. Garcial-Casals or Mr. Hermida should you have any questions about this historic event.