Frequently Asked Questions

What is the project?
I'm voyaging across the country for 4 weeks in a Ford Fusion Hybrid to see how many mayors I can get to give me their key to their city.

What is a “Key to the City?”
While every town is different, according to the New York City website:
“Practice of presenting a key to an individual may be traced back to medieval times, when admission into a city was hampered by many legal restrictions, as well as by walls and locked gates. The key symbolized free entry. In New York, the act of giving the Key of the City is symbolic, since the city has no gates to unlock. Today, the presentation honors outstanding civic contributions of the recipients.”

Do the Keys to the City unlock anything?
Not that I know of, but I'm looking forward to finding out…

Are you doing anything for the keys? Yes, in exchange for each key mayors are having me do a community service task to help their individual town.

How many keys are you trying to get in four weeks?
My goal is 100!

Why are you trying to get Keys to the City?
A year ago I started researching the history of the Key to the City of New York. I discovered there's no real criteria to being bestowed the honor. The key is awarded to a full range of people including heroes, actors and actresses, athletes, musicians, government officials, and foreign leaders. The list was so broad it got me wondering if it would be possible to travel the country and see if I could get mayors to present me with their key to the city.

Where are you going during your 4 weeks?
I'm starting where I grew up in Central, PA and then am scheduled to head to Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, George, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and finally concluding in my current home of New York City. Check the schedule on the homepage for the most updated itinerary.

I'm a mayor. Will you come to my town?
If I'm in your area I'd love to stop by and visit. I'm hoping to get to as many towns as possible. Feel free to email me at mark@markmalkoff.com