Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Key West (must see)
The Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum brings to life the island's fascinating maritime history by telling stories of the brave men and women who risked their lives to salvage the treasures of the many ships that wrecked off the Florida Keys.
The museum is housed in a historic building that was originally constructed in 1852 by wrecker tycoon Asa Tift as a warehouse for the island's thriving wrecking industry. The latter played a key role in Key West's economy during the 19th century and involved salvaging goods from the ships that had run aground near the island.
Over the years, the building has survived fires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. Towards the end of the 19th century, it was used as a cigar factory and later served as a sponge warehouse. In the 1980s, the building was restored and turned into a museum. The restoration preserved many of its original features, including the distinctive walls clad in wooden siding and arched doorway.
Inside, the museum showcases historical documents and artifacts recovered from the shipwrecks, including treasures such as gold and silver bars, coins, and other valuable items. Many of them come from the 1985 rediscovery of the wrecked vessel Isaac Allerton, which sank in 1856 on the Florida Keys reef and turned out to be one the richest shipwrecks in the city's history, having resulted in the Federal Wrecking Court's largest monetary award for the salvage of a single vessel. Also displayed here are relics from Spanish galleons, including a silver bar salvaged from the Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas that visitors are encouraged to try to lift.
From the top floor, guests can also walk up the 65-foot lookout tower for a panoramic view of the harbor and most of Key West. The tower was added during the restoration of the building much later and today serves as a reminder of the vital role that such towers once played in keeping ships safe from the treacherous reefs surrounding the Florida Keys.
In addition to that, the museum offers a variety of interactive experiences, including live performers reenacting salvage operations that took place in Key West centuries ago. Visitors can also try their hand at the salvaging techniques, using some of the tools and equipment utilized by 19th-century wreckers.
Why You Should Visit:
A unique window into the rich maritime history of Florida Keys.
To learn about the many shipwrecks that made Key West one of the richest towns in the U.S.
Tip:
Taking a small flashlight, to read many of the signs and posters or labels, would be quite helpful.
You can get a great discount by buying combo tickets for other Key West museums.
The museum is housed in a historic building that was originally constructed in 1852 by wrecker tycoon Asa Tift as a warehouse for the island's thriving wrecking industry. The latter played a key role in Key West's economy during the 19th century and involved salvaging goods from the ships that had run aground near the island.
Over the years, the building has survived fires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. Towards the end of the 19th century, it was used as a cigar factory and later served as a sponge warehouse. In the 1980s, the building was restored and turned into a museum. The restoration preserved many of its original features, including the distinctive walls clad in wooden siding and arched doorway.
Inside, the museum showcases historical documents and artifacts recovered from the shipwrecks, including treasures such as gold and silver bars, coins, and other valuable items. Many of them come from the 1985 rediscovery of the wrecked vessel Isaac Allerton, which sank in 1856 on the Florida Keys reef and turned out to be one the richest shipwrecks in the city's history, having resulted in the Federal Wrecking Court's largest monetary award for the salvage of a single vessel. Also displayed here are relics from Spanish galleons, including a silver bar salvaged from the Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas that visitors are encouraged to try to lift.
From the top floor, guests can also walk up the 65-foot lookout tower for a panoramic view of the harbor and most of Key West. The tower was added during the restoration of the building much later and today serves as a reminder of the vital role that such towers once played in keeping ships safe from the treacherous reefs surrounding the Florida Keys.
In addition to that, the museum offers a variety of interactive experiences, including live performers reenacting salvage operations that took place in Key West centuries ago. Visitors can also try their hand at the salvaging techniques, using some of the tools and equipment utilized by 19th-century wreckers.
Why You Should Visit:
A unique window into the rich maritime history of Florida Keys.
To learn about the many shipwrecks that made Key West one of the richest towns in the U.S.
Tip:
Taking a small flashlight, to read many of the signs and posters or labels, would be quite helpful.
You can get a great discount by buying combo tickets for other Key West museums.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Key West. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum on Map
Sight Name: Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum
Sight Location: Key West, USA (See walking tours in Key West)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Key West, USA (See walking tours in Key West)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Key West, Florida
Create Your Own Walk in Key West
Creating your own self-guided walk in Key West is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Key West Introduction Walking Tour
For the historically curious as well as for party-goers or laid-back drifters, Key West is a small paradise at the end of U.S. Route 1, on the southernmost tip of the continental United States, in the Florida Keys archipelago. The installed here Southernmost Point landmark reminds of this fact and is a popular spot for photos and selfies.
Key West is blessed with beautiful nature, indeed. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Key West is blessed with beautiful nature, indeed. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Key West Bar Hopping
Key West, Florida is often referred to as "an amusement park for adults fueled with alcohol" and is widely renowned for its diverse and vibrant bar scene. Blessed with a tropical climate and stunning ocean views, the city enjoys a relaxed, anything-goes attitude which after dusk transforms into lively nightlife centered around the many watering holes and clubs lining the streets of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Top 12 Bars in Key West, Florida
Drinking is a way of life in Key West. Whether you want a perfectly poured Guinness or would rather sip frozen rum runners while watching the sun set, the Southern Most City has everything to offer. This guide will help you find the most popular bars and hidden local favorites on Duval Street and...