THEWIRE

 

By Kimberly Huffman

 

Treasures of the Sea is home to $4 million of artifacts from a 1622 shipwreck and is a hidden gem at the Owens Campus. The museum is located in the Stephen J. Betze Library. 

 

“The Spanish galleon, Nuestra Senora de Atocha, and its sister ship, Santa Margarita, were sailing from Havana, Cuba, to Seville, Spain. Off the coast of Florida, the vessels encountered hurricane-force winds and high waves which dashed the ships against a coral reef,” according to the Treasures of the Sea webpage. 

 

According to Exhibit Coordinator Susan Doering, the shipwreck occurred near Key West.

 

Local investors Melvin Joseph Sr. and Frank Perdue helped fund treasure hunter Mel Fisher, Doering said, and in return for their investment they received treasure. With the newly acquired treasure, Joseph, Perdue and other locals started a non-profit at Delaware Tech.

 

Communications student Dylan Schmidt said, “They have unique displays. Some museums would kill to have things of that caliber.”

 

The museum is home to coins, art, jewels, cannons and more. Visitors can touch some of the artifacts. The exhibit also includes a short video about the history of the Atocha and Mel Fisher’s discovery.

 

Doering, who has been working at the museum for 16 years said the best part of her job is working with the public, helping them learn, and constantly learning new things herself.

 

“I just want [visitors] to enjoy the museum and maybe learn a little something. If they enjoy the exhibit, maybe they’ll let someone else know so they can come too,” Doering said.

 

The Treasures of the Sea’s not-for-profit organization helps the school’s educational foundation by providing scholarship opportunities. The exhibit also offers work study programs.

 

Students who show their school ID pay $1 to visit the museum. Admission for adults is $3, $2.50 for seniors, and children 4 and younger are free.  

 

Treasures of the Sea is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., and on Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.