January 20, 2017— (Key West, FL). Cuba to Key West Swimming Icon Diana Nyad Donates Personal Memorabilia to Custom House Museum: Public Invited to Attend Ceremony with Nyad on Friday
On Friday, January 27, at 12:30pm, Key West Art & Historical Society welcomes the public to join in honoring swimming icon Diana Nyad at a special reception on the porch of the Custom House Museum and to celebrate the debut of an installation of memorabilia she has donated to The Society.
Nyad made a lasting impression globally, but especially here in the Keys, with her successful 111-mile swim from Cuba to Key West on September 2, 2013. The Society is honored to be the recipient of portions of her swimming gear; Nyad’s donation includes her special jellyfish-protection swim mask, goggles, and bathing suit worn during her 53-hour trek, along with color images provided by her photo editor, Gaby Fisch.
“The moment my team and I arrived across that epic ocean, after journeying not only the long 110.86 miles from Havana to Smathers Beach in Key West, but also the long thirty-five years and five attempts of the quest, spoke not only to my inner spirit of living to the nth degree, but rang out also around the world,” says Nyad. “When we walked up onto the shores of Key West, the message of “Never Ever Give Up” resounded with literally millions worldwide.”
Now one of today’s most powerful and engaging public speakers, Nyad returns to the Keys to commemorate her donation, as well as host the “Everwalk” around the island on January 28 and serve as Grand Marshall for the Women’s Flag Football Championships.
“To now have the esteemed Key West Art & Historical Society honor me and my team touches my heart deeply,” she says. “Bonnie Stoll, my expedition leader, and all of us who took that bold journey, all our friends in our home away from home, Key West, will stand proud to know that we have gained a permanent place of honor in this grand center of Key West history.”
For more information, contact KWAHS Executive Director Michael Gieda at mgieda@kwahs.org or call 305-295-6616, extension 103. Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island.
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IMAGE:
Diana Nyad makes a gesture of triumph as she is conveyed on a stretcher from Smathers Beach following her epic 111-mile swim from Cuba to Key West in September of 2013. The iconic athlete has donated memorabilia to the Custom House Museum and will be honored there on Friday, January 27.