Two minutes walking distance from The Little White House, The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum Key West is dedicated to Mel Fisher (and his crews) recovery of sunken treasure ships. Mel Fisher is most renowned for the recovery of the Neustra Señora de Atocha, a Spanish treasure galleon than sunk in 1622 while passing through the Florida Straits.
The Mel Fisher Museum is dedicated to preserving a bit of Key West history, as well as accrediting Mel Fishers extraordinary archaeological finds. The waters surrounding Florida are famous for their frequent hurricanes, long stretches of barely submerged reefs and oscillating currents, bringing many ships to their watery graves. The museum houses relics recovered from the Henrietta Marie, a transatlantic slave ship that operated between the years of 1697-1700. Recovered from this London based ship were shackles used to tie two slaves together, and a large cauldron of sorts, used to provide the mush of beans, palm oil and rice to over 250 slaves.
The Henrietta Marie was found in 1972, 35 miles west of Key West and remains a site of continuos archaeological research. The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum is a must see, as it is in an insight into Key Wests historical and archaeological history. Open daily from 8am to 5pm, the museum offers a unique experience, complete with historical artifacts that guarantees a wonderful and awe inspiring stay.
