Key West Shipwreck Museum

Above, inside the Key West Shipwreck Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While in Key West, Florida last week, one of the things I did was to check out the Key West Shipwreck Museum.

In a nutshell, here's what Wikipedia says about the museum:

The Key West Shipwreck Museum is located in Key West, Florida, United States. It combines actors, films and actual artifacts to tell the story of 400 years of shipwreck salvage in the Florida Keys. The museum itself is a re-creation of a 19th-century warehouse built by wrecker tycoon Asa Tift.

Above, salvaged artifacts. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After paying admission and going inside, guests are treated to a video on shipwrecks and salvage operations in the Florida Keys. It is an interesting film featuring vintage photographs, actor recreations and, surprisingly, some familiar footage. That footage was from the Ray Milland-John Wayne-Paulette Goddard-Susan Hayward feature from 1942, Reap The Wild Wind. I just got the movie last year. Later, while touring the museum, I found is also a Reap The Wild Wind display.

Above, the Reap The Wild Wind display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After the video, guests wander around the museum set up in different levels and finishing with a "hike" up a lookout tower, used to spot shipwrecks. I only went part way up (no need to invite a heart attack).

Above, a 64 lb. silver bar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a vintage diving suit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is an interesting museum with lots of artifacts salvaged from shipwrecks. There's even a silver bar on display with the challenge to visitors to lift it.

Above, at the entryway to the lookout tower outside. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the lookout tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, more salvaged artifacts on display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, assorted recovered bottles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Key West Shipwreck Museum was well worth the visit. To access the website, go here.