The Key West Pirate Museum has a extensive collection of artifacts. Each item in the museum is part of a story. On our visit we discovered the powerful exhibit on the Wreck of the Henrietta Marie. The exhibit reveals the history of piracy, slavery, and the ships that carried them across the seas.
West Africa was home to established states in the coastal and island areas when the Europeans arrived. Powerful Africans and Europeans traded spices, slaves, and, the much desired exchange of the weapon of the age - guns and powder.
Since neither guns or powder were made in Africa they were on the top of the request list. In turn, the guns made it easier to conquer enemies than native weapons. War also equaled a supply of prisoners', which African leaders exchanged for the powerful weapons, and other goods.
The Henrietta Marie sailed up the river while in the region of New Calabar. As they approached the port of a town they would signal a salute with several guns. Each town held their own cultural, moral, and creative traditions. And, Europeans noted that no one tribe was exactly the same. They spoke different languages, wore different clothing and had unique taste in foods and cultures express.
The Key West Pirate Museum has an extensive collection of historic artifacts is impressive, and a must-see attraction when visiting Key West!
Plan Your Trip
To check current exhibits, programs, and news, visit the Key West Pirate Museum website.
Use the following link to find events, festivals, foods, and fun in the Florida Keys and Key West.
By Melody Schubert
