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October
5, 1995
Mel
Fisher Maritime Heritage Society
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MFMHS
Buccaneers’ Day Celebrates Keys’ Maritime Heritage
According
to historians, an astonishing 10,000 pirates roamed the
Florida Straits and the Cuban waters in the early 1800s,
but they have all vanished by now. Or have they? Find
out by attending the third annual Buccaneers’ Day, set
for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, October 15, at the Mel
Fisher Maritime Heritage Society Museum. The event is
free to the public and open to children and their
families.
Filled
with fun and adventure, Buccaneers’ Day explores what
it was like to be a pirate in the wild Caribbean.
Participants can learn sword fighting skills from a
fencing pro, seek the bounty of the Spanish Main in a
challenging treasure hunt, compete for prizes during the
infamous “20,000-Doubloon Pyramid” game, learn to
talk like a pirate, study knots and seafaring skills,
dress like a swashbuckler or wench, and even get a
semi-authentic pirate tattoo.
“Buccaneers’
Day introduces kids and families to the unique things we
have to do here at the museum,” says K.T. Budde-Jones,
head of the Maritime Heritage Society’s education
department. “It’s a jumping-off point to let them
see that history is fun! We build our activities around
maritime history, the ocean, and the unique heritage and
environment of the Keys.”
Buccaneers’
Day is just one of the regular activities created by the
Maritime Heritage Society’s education department.
Others include the Buccaneers’ Club, an after-school
activity club for children that focuses on developing an
appreciation of maritime history, navigation, and
archaeology skills. Buccaneers’ Camp, which debuted
during the summer of 1994, expanded the club concept to
introduce campers to Key West’s rich history and
environmental resources.
During
the upcoming Buccaneers’ Day, the entire staff of the
Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society will be on hand to
share their expertise in maritime history and seafaring
customs. As well as games, costumes, and tests of skill,
buccaneer participants will enjoy typical pirate food:
hard tack and grog provided thanks to Lou and Ginger
Ruvo. One lucky pirate will win a free one-month
membership to the Buccaneers’ Club or a one-year
membership to the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society.
All
Buccaneers’ Day activities will be held at the MFMHS
museum at 200 Greene Street. For more information,
please call 294-2633 (extension 20 or 21).
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