On Aug. 28, the Isaac Allerton encountered hurricane-force winds off the Florida Keys. The Key West Shipwreck Museum(formerly Shipwreck Historeum) is located in Key West, Florida, United States. Lookout towers were built and used to spot wrecks. document.write(dictionary['title']);An error occurred. 1 most stressful city for workers in U.S. Turner: State takeover of Houston ISD could happen as soon as next week, Houston rap royalty Bun B on returning to Rodeo for another Takeover, Houston Astros show struggles with new MLB pitch clock rules, Kevin Porter Jr. return can't end Rockets' growing losing streak, W&P Porter bowl review: A container that makes office lunch easy, A new musical spotlights a Texas bank-robbing legend. Read More lift a genuine silver bar from 1656 facebook twitter flickr Purchase tickets online in advance and receive 10% off! Our beautiful region is the perfect destination for children of all ages. Tour guide was spunky but the tour was lame. Mel Fisher's Maritime Museum also operates the Key West Turtle Museum, where you . By the next morning, more than 500 people and cargo worth millions of dollars had sunk. It's small but chock full of displays, artifacts and treasures. Visitors who climb its 88 steps are rewarded with sweeping views of the town and sea. Went to fort and shipwreck museums which was cool. St. Augustine, FL 32080, Presented by Historic Tours of America Inc. All rights reserved. I see the distorted, strangely proportioned faces. Lighthouses were built. Admission is $12.50 or $25 in combination with a Mel Fisher Maritime Museum visit. Even as the Florida Straits remained one of the busiest of shipping lanes, navigational equipment and maps improved. pulleys, barrels and more! They even get you a private view of 'Robert, the doll' at the Martello tower. The site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site. The Atlanta was found 35 miles off Deer Park, Mich., in 650 feet of water in Lake Superior. Key West Shipwreck Museum: Daily. Love getting feedback from our guests! The introductory video was informative and enjoyable. And Key West, so far removed from the center of civilization, became the richest town in the nation. Experience a journey like no other aboard the Yankee Freedom III. There are two floors with treasures from the sea. Its cargo was valued at $150,000, highest in the history of wrecking at the time. Salvaging these wrecks became big business and Key West was a shipwreckers haven. Youll enter into another time period as you walk through a restored railroad car; see photographs and memorabilia and watch moving video footage of the first train arriving in Key West in January of 1912. Today, you can relive the era of the wreckers at our historical Museum in Key West. Please accept my sincere apologies We do have a 100% Satisfaction guarantee that you will find on the customer service page of our website. Contact Bruce Lynn, Executive Director by email or call 800-635-1742. Most hotel lobbies have a pamphlet stand. Key West Bus Tour uses cookies to give you the best possible service. The museum is open every day May 1 to October 31, from 10 am to 6 pm. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "After 350 years, sea gives up lost jewels of Spanish shipwreck", Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, Key West Heritage House Museum and Robert Frost Cottage, Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, Thompson Fish House, Turtle Cannery and Kraals, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, Key West Station, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Key_West_Shipwreck_Museum&oldid=1116727578, Articles lacking reliable references from April 2012, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 18 October 2022, at 01:18. Key West Conch Train Tour. Check out the original Stormy Kromer cap with Shipwreck Museum logo or the Edmund Fitzgerald Lego kit. We were really excited to see this museum but once we were in, we were a little disappointed. Through live presentations, films, exhibits and artifacts, youll have the chance to learn more about this important part of Key West history. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. A block away, the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum celebrates an ambitious and lucrative modern-day salvage operation, along with the man who directed the effort for almost 30 years. Key West Shipwreck Museum: Our most recommended tours and activities. The information ties into the Hemmingway tour as well. Here's a picture I took inside the museum. We appreciate you time. Interresting visit with small view of the dark side of Key West, Bone Island Haunted Pub Crawl & Ghost Tour. She is a huge asset to the museum and spent a lot of time talking with us and answering our questions. (Robert did it! The See Magazine coupon book has a discount coupon for this museum. Between sips of tropical cocktails and doses of Hemingway, however, visitors can re-create the era of the wreckers, embrace the legend and gain a new appreciation for the Key West of yesteryear. Tobacco. Fishing vessels position for the prized catch. . Seemed a little disrespectful and too soon to include the story on the tour. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Eventually, with the onset of railroads, and improvements in navigational aids, shipwrecks came fewer and farther between. History buffs will be in their glory! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Start a tour at the Shipwreck Historeum at Mallory Square, in the heart of the downtown district and only steps from Key West's main cruise dock. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Operating Times: Key West Aquarium: Daily. And they risked their lives, especially during hurricane season, to do so. grant of $5,000, specificallyto support staffing needs at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, with an emphasis on the Motor Lifeboat House. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Explore two floors of artifacts from shipwrecks spanning 400 years, featuring treasures from the Spanish fleets of the 1600 and 1700s. Worth every penny. Key West Shipwreck Museum. Book your Key West Shipwreck Museum tour now! Thank you so much for sharing your vacation with us. Very interesting twist to the dangerous job of salvaging goods from wrecked ships. Good family fun. Click for possible tour changes on the day of your tour. Among the jewels that have been found, there is a gold pendant with the cross of Santiago and others with symbols of the pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago.[2]. I love 'haunted' tours because they are really history stories of the darker sort. The Wreckers Museum occupies what is believed to be the oldest house in Key West at 322 Duval St., about three blocks from Mallory Square. A tropical environment with ample rain allows most trees to retain their leaves in the dry season (December through late May). Visitors can climb to its 60-foot-high summit and enjoy panoramic views. We are very pleased to announce that the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society has received an Operational Support Grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA), for support of its operations during the States 2020-2021 fiscal year, in the amount of $24,000. What a great museum. The first man to reach the wreck became the wrecking master who controlled the salvage operation and got a larger share of the prize. Best for Things to Do with Kids, Attractions near Cruise Port Because: Part museum, part theme-park, this attraction shares the tales of 400 shipwrecks along the Keys with costumed guides and . Tour guide was nice and lively. Dont necessarily want to be the asshole skeptic here, but looks like pareidolia to me. Save big with our Hometown pass membership! We were sorry to her you did not find our museum interesting. "By dint of enterprise and derring-do, he made himself the coast guard, lifesaver and ocean salvor of the day.". And even with, still just looks like a spooky mind trick. Trains emerged as an alternate means of cargo transportation. Does this place have a lot of artifacts and treasures to see or are those mostly at the other place? If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. The moderators of /r/Ghosts reserve the right to moderate posts and comments at their discretion, with regard to their perception of the suitability of said posts and comments for this subreddit. Join master wrecker Asa Tift and his wrecking crew as he tells you the story of how this unusual industry provided for the livelihoods of the early pioneers of Key West. By the late 1800s, wreckers were part of folklore. A few dark stories of some people of from the Keys.I recommend the tour, interesting actors, funny with good sense of humour!May be a little more mistery should be interresting! One exhibit offers this excerpt from maritime historian Birse Shepard's 1961 Lore of the Wreckers (Beacon Press): "The wrecker of the Florida Keys was a competent navigator and pilot with a fast, well-equipped vessel and a crew of skilled divers and salvage men who put to sea voluntarily in all weather to snatch survivors and merchandise from a foundering vessel, pull a stranded ship off into deep water or dive for sunken cargo. Several other museums and historical landmarks provide more insight. Only about half the cargo was recovered before efforts were abandoned. Lookout towers were built and used to spot wrecks. . Take a tour of the Shipwreck Museum in Key West, Florida. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Report: Houston ranked No. Visitors can climb the 65-foot lookout tower and if need be, alarm Mr. Tift of any wrecks on the reef. The Key West Shipwreck museum offers an educational and entertaining look at the life of pirates by combining actors, films, and real shipwreck artifacts. Posting fake and/or frivolous videos from Youtube or other sites can also lead to being banned. On Sept. 4, 1622, a fleet of 28 ships left Havana to return to Spain with silver from Mexico and Peru, gold from Colombia, pearls from Venezuela and a vast assortment of other merchandise collected in the New World, along with well-to-do passengers and crews. The Annual Appeal is intended to focus on Operational Funding; but, we offer you the opportunity to designate your donation for a present specific project as well. The vessel was 294 long, built in 1890 (Wyandotte, MI) and rests in over 800 of water. Numerous artifacts on display of every topic imaginable. Open today: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The Key West Lighthouse was built in 1825 to help the many ships entering the port avoid the hazardous reefs. Kirby. The trade routes along the waters of the Florida Keys were a danger to the ships because of the reefs in these waters. This Florida museumrelated article is a stub. Built in 1847 to a height of 46 feet, the lighthouse was extended to 92 feet near the end of the 19th century. There are two floors with treasures from the sea. I see a full head with a face, eyes, a brow line, a nose, and a frowning mouth. The Yankee Freedom III is recognized for its speed and luxurious accommodations. Discover the rich history of Key Wests shipwrecking past at the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum. Here, you'll get a firsthand look at what it takes to conserve artifacts found through underwater archaeology. Pearls and diamonds. For a bit of history and a look at how Key West got to where it is today, stop in at the Key West Museum of Art and History inside the Custom House. Others saw wreckers and auctioneers and wharf owners as pirates or unscrupulous profiteers. More details can be found in our terms and conditions. Actors play out stories of Key West wrecking. The fort was one of a series built in the mid-1800s to defend the nations southeastern coastline. What's the best way to see Key West Shipwreck Museum? Find personally selected books, anything Atocha and pirate gear. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Don't waste your time. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. This was an interesting place to visit. I enjoyed looking at the treasures and learning their history. Phone: (305) 292-8990 Like others along the lower Florida Keys, this lighthouse was once vital in helping ships navigate the dangerous reefs. The Shipwreck Museum operates from daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Relive an era of inspiration and determination; discover how Henry Flagler impacted the transportation industry and the world with his pioneering will and vision. Pendants, gold chains and other artifacts from the remains of the wreck, have been found along a trail of more than 9 miles. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Website: http://www.keywestshipwreck.com An appropriate last stop is the Key West Lighthouse and Keepers Quarter Museum at Whitehead and Truman streets, where exhibits focus on maritime history and the lives of the men and women who worked as keepers until the lighthouse was deactivated in 1969. 1 most stressful city for U.S. workers, Turner: State takeover of Houston ISD could happen next week, Bun B on bringing Southern rap stars to Houston's Rodeo, Astros show struggles with new MLB pitch clock rules, This is what Houston looks like from space, How the Houston Zoo moved its flock of flamingos to a new home, 'Call me a Nazi': Former Houston pastor calls for state book ban, West Texans share apocalyptic photos of after massive dust storm, Houston leaders delay vote on Hobby Airport concesssions contract, Watch: Houston Astros' Luis Garcia debuts new windup, Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious on-air interview with reporter. But it wasn't a great tour either. The film also explains the legal battles that ensued with the U.S. and Florida governments over the rights to the undersea find. ONE REALE PENDANT IN DOUBLE DOLPHIN SETTING Out of stock. This is a very interresting tour to understand the dark side of Key West. Five years later, divers discovered what Fisher proclaimed the "mother lode," the main cargo hold of the Nuestra Seora de Atocha and a treasury some estimated to be worth $400 million. Many a Key West salvaging family became wealthy as a result. You cannot miss this museum - a wooden structure with a lookout tower just in front of the Mallory sq. Men, women, children -- practically the whole town was there. It's also quite a small place. I guess I thought there would more to see shipwreck wise or interact with. At 907 Whitehead St., perhaps Key West's best-known dwelling, the Hemingway Home -- where author Ernest Hemingway produced some of his best work during the 1930s -- was built by Asa Tift of Shipwreck Historeum acclaim. Im sure Roy can call them to find out. The train departs from Front Street Depot and loops through the Old Town to end back behind the Depot at Mallory Square. Discover a vital part of Florida's history with admission to the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum. The tower is fun to climb up and it offers great views of Key West and the surrounding turquoise waters. For the safety and security of our patrons and property, Whitefish Point is a No Drone Zone. I was sorry to read that your tour with us did not meet your expectations. Key West Shipwreck History | Key West Shipwreck Museum 305-292-8990 During the golden age of sail, over 100 ships per day passed by Key West. The Key West Museum combines actors, films, and the actual artifacts from the 1985 rediscovery of the wrecked vessel Isaac Allerton, which sank in 1856 on the treacherous Florida Keys reef. Yeah, I agree - the face is really strangely proportioned, like a potato with a long chin and Squidward's nose, and I can't even see the top half of it. From the colorful cast of transplanted Conchs, like Harry Truman, James Audubon and Ernest Hemingway, to the resident legends, artists, poets, and musicians that make Key West so alluring, Old Town Trolley Tours gives every visitor a look at the people and places that the city is so famous for. Today one of the popular Key West attractions is the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum. The finest furniture and linens. And Key West became dependent on tourism, not shipwrecks. The museum is a model of an 1856 wreckers warehouse. Barge 129 was found along with 8 other wrecks in 2021 by the GLSHS in partnership with Marine Sonic Technology using Side Scan Sonar. We appreciate your positive feedback about your experience. WHITEFISH POINT, MICH.- The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) is proud to announce the discovery of the 292-foot Whaleback vessel, Barge 129. Ways to Experience Ghosts & Gravestones of Key West, Ghost & Vampire Tours, Historical & Heritage Tours, Walking Tours, Night Tours. Go back in time on a family-friendly trip to the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum. Relive the life of the wreckers as they fight the storms to save the lives and cargo on the treacherous reefs on the Florida Keys. The museum guide portraying Tift tells the story from his point of view as he explains how this unusual industry provided for the livelihood for the entire island of Key West at a time when it had the largest population in the state. She was very friendly. Perhaps one of the most unique aquariums in the world, the Key West Aquarium has delighted visitors since 1934. Not until 1985 was the Isaac Allerton rediscovered and fully salvaged. Museum patrons learn about the perils of maritime transport on the Great Lakes at the Whitefish Point Light . The short video when you first walk gives a short history lesson on wreckers in Key West and how it really became built up. They would also patrol the reef in their own small vessels. Grand pianos. KEY WEST, Fla. -- Hundreds strong, they gathered at the dock, eagerly anticipating the arrival of another salvage boat. Other museum exhibits include artifacts from the Henrietta Marie, which sank in 1700 and is the only slave ship to be excavated in the New World. The Audubon House, at 205 Whitehead St., is best-known for hosting John James Audubon during the painter/naturalist's annual visits to Key West. All rights reserved. Our group didn't enjoy this museum at all. Great fun and learning experience! Our online gift shop has unique gifts and not found anywhere else items that were sure you or that special someone in your life would treasure. The staff is very helpful and friendly. I think everyone favorite exhibit was the fact we got to lift a the weight of a bar of gold. We offer a satisfaction guarantee located on the customer service page of our website. The waters they were sailing were well known as some of the most treacherous in the world. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Mel Fisher Maritime Museum home of the sunken Spanish galleons Nuestra Senora de Atocha and Santa Margarita and the slave ship Henrietta Marie. Requested URL: www.getyourguide.com/key-west-shipwreck-museum-l110272/, User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_15_7) AppleWebKit/605.1.15 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/15.5 Safari/605.1.15. Whether through valor or villainy, the most successful wreckers built and furnished opulent homes thanks to others' misfortune. Saved from being demolished in 1958, the 19th century Key West original is now a historic museum featuring the artwork of John James Audubon. If you go: 9:40 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; 1 Whitehead Street . Embark on an adventure to the world-famous reefs off the coast of Key West. The vessel sank near Eagle Harbor, Michigan in May 1916. Drove past haunted homes way too fast.. couldn't take pics. All the other stories were from early 1900s if not before then. Prefer Mel Fisher but thats not really apples to apples. The museum is a model of an 1856 wrecker's warehouse.