Learn more about this Sculpture
It is placed on the property of the Alex Vega Key West Firehouse Museum, https://keywestfire.com/ on the side lawn by two antique firetrucks and sitting under a beautiful old tree. Rescue 11 is easily visible even from the street as you pull up. This sculpture was transported by a flatbed semi tractor trailer truck owned by Prompt Transport Service of Punta Gorda, FL. San followed the transport all the way from her studio to Key West and the Firehouse Museum on its seven-hour drive. As the small convoy drove through Florida, several police stations were notified as the journey proceeded. As one police unit met them, some with police cars and others on motorcycle, each unit dropped back, and the next unit picked up with their escort. By the time San reached Key West, about a quarter of a mile of citizens awaited their arrival and cheered them on along the road. They arrived as road barriers were opened to allow passage of the convoy. Awaiting them were many people who rushed Sans vehicle to get the first photo or interview from the local press. The Mayor, Teri Johnston was the first to greet San. Immediately everyone shifted to looking at amazement towards the Rescue 11 sculpture up on the truck. Everyone in charge of lifting the sculpture in place, soon realized they had to go get a big chain saw for one of the tree branches was in the way. Once that was done, the 9/11 sculpture was put in place on its base, under the tree. We like the fact that this sculpture sits just on the other side of a 3 foot tall white picket fence by the sidewalk. It can be reached by a stretch of the arm and it is ok to touch this sculpture for the oils in our hands can only help to seal in the details of all the aggregate stone embedded in this concrete sculpture. We, at Project 911UP are honored to bring this to the people of Key West here at the museum and know just how important it is to have 9/11 memorials around the country. For a smaller community, the number of tourists who go through the area is amazing.
The Conch Express, a tourist train trolley taking people around the city, has made the Firehouse Museum #3 on its tour. You can opt to get off and walk around the museum for a while and see this sculpture in person. The museum itself is one of my favorite places to go to. The people who manage this, all volunteers, are retired firemen and business leaders from the Key West community. In 2023, the museum underwent a huge renovation process and is now called the Alex Vega Key West Firehouse Museum, in honor of retired firechief, Alex Vega. There is a 30 minute audio tour that can guide you through the history of firefighting in Key West. There are historical artifacts and vintage fire gear, the original bunk room, the last remaining steamer coal pit in America and rare fire badges and antique call boxes, 9/11 memorials, a 1906 cemetery fire bell and photos can be taken behind the old jail house cell outside the museum.
This museum is a must see if you are in Key West.