Purrr-fect Book Signing for Key Marco Cat

A book signing for Austin Bell’s new book, “The Nine Lives of Florida’s Famous Key Marco Cat,” held Thursday at the Marco Island Historical Museum, couldn’t have gone much better. In fact, you could say it was purr-fect.

A quick look around the museum’s lobby and gift shop makes it clear that the ancient Key Marco Cat is the top cat on Marco Island. Besides Bell’s book, there are two limited edition Key Marco Cat statues created by local artist Peter Sottong available for purchase. There is Key Marco Cat jewelry. There are even Key Marco Cat coasters. 

The Key Marco Cat is a centuries old six-inch wooden statue of a cat that was discovered in the muck in old Marco in 1896 by iconic anthropologist Frank Hamilton Cushing. It is one of the most famous artifacts in Florida's archeological history.

The book signing was well attended, including visits from some of the area’s well-known friends and residents.

Marco Island Police Chief Tracy Frazzano stopped in to say hi to Bell, the museum’s curator of collections. Former County Commissioner Donna Fiala was excited to have Bell sign a book for her.

“I can’t wait to read his book,” Fiala said. “He’s a great guy. We were lucky with him."

The museum’s first manager was also on hand to have a book signed by Bell. She recalls the early days of the museum.

“I started in 2011 when it opened,” said Lisa Marciano. "I was officially the first museum manager. There was literally nothing in here when I started. The cement floors were bare. There were no permanent exhibits. I joke that this is like my little baby I’m watching grow up."  

Marciano said you can’t overestimate the importance of the Key Marco Cat.

"I mean, basically building a whole museum to bring the Key Marco Cat back,” Marciano said. "It’s been a dream of the historical society. To see that here is just amazing.”

“We’re just so incredibly proud of Austin,” said Patricia Rutledge, CEO of the Marco Island Historical Society. “This book has been two years in the making. It tells a fabulous story of an iconic piece of Marco Island’s history."