The Origins of Island Roots & Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden

The Origins of Island Roots and Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden. . In Key West the heroism of Ida Barron and Betty Bruce planted the seeds of what has now grown to become the Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden in Mallory Square., Betty Bruce and Ida Barron along with Bahamian artist Alton Lowe and sculptor James Mastin were the individuals most responsible for the creation of the Island Roots Festival in 1976, 1977, and 1978. The Island Roots festivals symbolized a heritage that Barron and Bruce worked so hard to maintain. Their efforts reunited the family ties between Key West and its sister city New Plymouth, Green turtle Cay in the Bahamas. This out-island settlement resembles a miniature Key West, with names of residents matching those of many Key West families. These two women symbolized our island's Spirit of '76. Through them came a stirring on our tiny island which climaxed in a new awareness of Island Roots and a celebration of our unique heritage., As historian at the Monroe County Library and a native born Conch, Betty Bruce was keenly aware of her island heritage and the direct connection Key West had with the Bahamas. Betty and Ida became fast friends when Ida arrived in Key West in 1938 and adopted the island as her home., For Betty, the important thing was truth in a heritage that is more magnificent than any fiction. Bruce conducted years of research prior to the festivals. Betty was a genealogist, artist and drafter. Credited as the founder of the Local History section of the Monroe County Public Library, she had a special dedication to researching the history of Key West, the Florida Keys, Florida and the Bahamas, assembling genealogies and building photographic and documentary archives for over 20 years. She also served on the research committee of the Old Island Restoration Foundation., Ida believed that people should share the good news, create harmony with their lives and learn from the past. She was always enthusiastic, always up and ready to work. Barron was one of the founding members of the Key West Art and Historical Society and a founding member of the Old Island Restoration Foundation. Her job in public relations for a local bank became a public relations bonanza for Key West as a whole. It was Ida's dream that one day Key West would have a memorial garden., Both women loved the island and gave of themselves to pre-serve its river of history for our times. They would have loved our garden.