The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West is a premier destination for those fascinated by maritime history and treasure hunting. Renowned for its exhibits featuring the sunken Spanish galleons Nuestra Señora de Atocha and Santa Margarita, along with the slave ship Henrietta Marie, the museum offers visitors an immersive journey into the past. Open daily from 10 a.m. with last admission at 4 p.m., the institution attracts history enthusiasts with its detailed exhibitions and active archaeological research program covering Florida and the Caribbean.
Exhibits such as "Today's The Day" detail the legendary 16-year quest for the Atocha, while "Treasure & Tragedy: The 1622 Fleet" provides a tangible connection between Europe and the New World. Additional displays like "Spanish Coins: New World Coins, Old World Treasure," "The Treasure Gallery," "The Science of Shipwrecks," and "The Art of Conservation" highlight rare artifacts, advanced underwater archaeology, and the intricate processes of artifact preservation. Themes of piracy, maritime salvage, and the poignant history of slave ships further enrich the narrative.
Housed in the historic Key West Naval Storehouse, a striking example of Neoclassical architecture designed by the Penn Bridge Company, the museum occupies a building steeped in history. Originally constructed in the early 1900s as a supply storehouse for the U.S. Navy, the facility now supports state-of-the-art conservation laboratories and impressive exhibits capable of displaying heavy artifacts and water tanks used for artifact treatment.
Charging an admission fee of $17.50 for adults and $8.50 for children—with additional options for specialized lab tours—the museum welcomes approximately 200,000 annual visitors. The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum not only celebrates the triumphs of maritime exploration and treasure recovery but also stands as a nationally recognized research and archaeology institution, preserving a legacy that continues to captivate and educate.
