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Mel Fisher Museum
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| Address |
200 Greene St. |
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| Admission |
Free |
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| Hours |
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Daily. |
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| Phone |
(305) 294-2633 |
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| Website |
www.mslfisher.org |
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Once a salvager’s dream, Key West in recent years attracted the attention
of a modern-day treasure hunter: Mel Fisher. A long-time resident
until his death in 1998, Fisher discovered the $400 million treasure
of the shipwrecked Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha in 1985.
It took the indefatigable Fisher 16 years to find the ship sunk
in 1622. He later found other treasure-laden ships that went to
the bottom of the sea from causes such as hurricanes. Artifacts
from that ships found by the famous treasure-hunter are the cornerstone
of the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society and Museum. Among items
on display: a fortune in gold, silver bars and coins that were headed
for Spain. A highlight is a gold chain worth more than a quarter
of a million dollars.The museum also produces and hosts rotating
exhibitions that explore different aspects of the New World’s
rich maritime heritage. Interactive modules and audio and video
components make this an interesting stop for visitors of all ages.
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