Key West Shipwreck Museum

About Key West Shipwreck Museum

Key West Shipwreck Museum invites visitors to journey back to the mid-19th century and discover the history of wreck salvage in the Florida Keys. The museum displays artifacts from shipwrecks, including pieces from the legendary Isaac Allerton, one of the richest wrecks in Key West's history. Visitors learn about the dangerous and lucrative profession of salvage through exhibits that explain how wrecking made Key West one of America's richest cities and feature the stories of prominent salvagers like Asa Tift. The centerpiece is a 65-foot Captain's Observatory, which visitors can climb to experience the vantage point wrecking captains used to spot Spanish galleons and cargo ships. The museum also offers visitors the opportunity to lift a genuine silver bar from a Spanish galleon. The museum operates as a self-guided experience and is located in Key West, Florida, at Mallory Square. Hours are published on the venue's website.