Things to do nearFort East Martello Museum

Built by the U.S. Army beginning in 1862, Fort East Martello Museum was designed to defend Key West during the Civil War, though construction was never finished and the fort saw no combat. Its distinctive cylindrical brick tower and arched casemates reflect the Martello style of coastal fortification, a design developed in Europe and adapted along American shores. The fort sat largely dormant for decades before the Key West Art and Historical Society took over stewardship and transformed it into a museum.

Inside, the galleries span a surprisingly wide range of subjects. Military exhibits trace the fort's construction and the broader history of Key West as a strategic naval outpost. A standout collection of iron junk sculptures by self-taught artist Stanley Papio fills one wing with raw, inventive work that feels right at home in a place with such an unconventional past. You can also browse artifacts recovered from shipwrecks, reflecting the island's long history as a salvage hub. Fans of historical tours will find the fort's layered timeline especially rewarding.

The museum's most talked-about exhibit is Robert the Doll, a century-old straw-filled figure said to move on its own and curse those who photograph him disrespectfully. The display case surrounding Robert is papered with handwritten apology letters from visitors who believe they offended him. Nearby, the iconic Hemingway Home and Museum offers another window into Key West's rich cultural heritage. Fort East Martello Museum rewards curious visitors with history, folk art, and a genuinely eerie encounter unlike anything else on the island.