Key West Shipwreck Historeum Museum
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(305) 292-8990Description:
The colorful history of Key West incorporates shipwreck treasures and artifacts, renowned artists, literary legends, a cigar-making heyday and a vibrant past as a bustling seaport. The area's historic and cultural richness is preserved, spotlighted and celebrated in the island city's many museums.The Shipwreck Historeum is no exception.
Before tourism became Key West's major source of income, 'wreckers' earned their living by salvaging what they could from ships wrecked on the reefs. At the Key West Shipwreck Museum, you can learn about the 'wreckers' and see jewelry, china, house wares and other artifacts from the Isaac Allerton, which sank in 1856. An observation tower offers a great view. The tour guides are living history actors, and the museum combines actors, films, laser technology and actual artifacts for the exhibits.
Historeum visitors meet Asa Tift in his 1856 wreckers' warehouse, enjoy a fascinating video on the wrecking industry and hear tales from the families who made their fortunes in wrecking. Those who climb to the top of the 65-foot observatory can even scan the reefs for wrecks just as Key West's 19th-century captains did.
The Key West Shipwreck Historeum is open from 9:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission fee. There are shows every 30 minutes.
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