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. Many of the artifacts on display are 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 Key West's history, having resulted in the Federal Wrecking Court's largest monetary award for the salvage of a single vessel. Also included are relics from Spanish galleons, including a silver bar salvaged from the Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas that guests are encouraged to try to lift. The museum guide portraying Tift tells the story from his point of view as he explains how this unusual industry provided for the livelihood for the entire island of Key West at a time when it had the largest population in the state.

In the 1800's shipping was the method of transporting goods from one place to another. The trade routes along the waters of the Florida Keys were a danger to the ships because of the reefs in these waters.A storm would send a ship into a reef and wreck the ships. As many as one ship every 4-6 weeks would founder. Salvaging these wrecks became big business and Key West was a shipwrecker's haven. Many a Key West salvaging family became wealthy as a result.The first person to reach the wreck, would get the best of the spoils. Lookout towers were built and used to spot wrecks.Today one of the popular Key West attractions is the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum.The museum is a model of an 1856 wrecker's warehouse. Actors play out stories of Key West wrecking. At the time, Key West was one of America's richest cities. There are two floors with treasures from the sea. Stories of their salvage operations are fascinating. The staff is very helpful and friendly. The tower is fun to climb up and it offers great views of Key West and the surrounding turquoise waters.Children seemed to really get a kick out of the whole experience as they learn about another era and it's people.I enjoyed looking at the treasures and learning their history. Emerse yourself in the story and the history of the Key West wreckers.Most hotel lobbies have a pamphlet stand. The See Magazine coupon book has a discount coupon for this museum.Key West Visitor's Centerwww.KeyWest.comBy Connie Hand

Key West being a seaside town, a lot of its history is naval bound. For instance, different ships that docked, brought with them elements that influenced the shape of the city be it cultural or architectural. The Shipwreck Museum is a one-stop shop for everything you need about shipwrecks. Stacked to the ceiling with artifacts retrieved from the Isaac Allerton shipwreck, there’s also a real life shipwrecker there who would be more than happy to entertain any queries you might about shipwrecks and the likes. The Shipwreck Museum in addition to everything else, is known for its 65 foot high tower, reconstructed to give you a feel of how it was during the shipwreck salvages/rescue days.

Combining actors, films and actual artifacts, this museum attempts to tell the story of four centuries of shipwreck salvage in the Florida Keys. Itself a re-creation of a 19th-century warehouse built by wrecker tycoon Asa Tift, the museum displays many artifacts 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 included are relics from Spanish galleons, including a silver bar salvaged from the Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas that guests are encouraged to try to lift. Once they make it to the top floor, guests can also walk up the lookout tower for a great view of the harbor and most of Key West.

Before tourism became Key West's major source of income,'wreckers' earned their living by salvaging what they could from ships wrecked on the reefs. At the Key West Shipwreck Historeum, you can learn about the 'wreckers' and see jewelry, china, house wares and other artifacts from the Isaac Allerton, which sank in 1856. An observation tower offers a great view.