The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum is a 501 (c) (3) accredited, not-for-profit organization existing to research, interpret, and exhibit the maritime history of Florida and the Caribbean in ways that increase knowledge, enrich the spirit, and stimulate inquiry.
Programs & Events/ What's Happening
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2026 Public Programming FREE!
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum Lecture Series
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All events take place at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, 200 Greene Street, Key West. The public is invited to attend without charge. Unless otherwise noted all events begin at 6:30pm; doors open at 6pm.
January 27:
A Shifting Sea: The Wreck of the Santa Clara and the People of the 1564 Fleet
A new lecture by Dr. Corey Malcom, lead historian for the Florida Keys History Center and Director of Archaeology at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.
Malcom was instrumental in leading the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum’s archaeological excavation and research of the shipwreck Santa Clara. In this overview, Malcom shares his research about Spain’s 1563-64 fleet, the wreck of Santa Clara, and the interesting and consequential people who traveled on Santa Clara. The group includes the great Spanish mariners – Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and Esteban de Las Alas – and many other significant historical figures. They represented many countries and came from all walks of life – from noblemen and aristocrats to high-ranking officials, conquistadors, servants, and enslaved people. Santa Clara was an early social and technological “melting pot" bridging continents and helping to set the course for our modern world.
February 3:
​Southern Road to Freedom: Florida's Underground Railroad
A Florida Talks lecture by Florida Humanities Speaker, Magdalena Lamarre who was a full Professor of History and Sociology at Miami-Dade College. Lamarre retired in 2016, but continues to present lectures on Florida’s history, culture, diversity, and social justice.
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The nation’s first Underground Railroad was established in Florida in the late 17th century, serving as a beacon of freedom for runaway slaves from the American South. Existing before the better-known Northern Underground Railroad, enslaved Africans gained their freedom by escaping and earning asylum in Spanish Florida. This presentation focuses on Florida’s early history as a Spanish territory, the escape routes used by runaway slaves, and the black communities they established before the abolition of slavery in the United States.
This is a partnership between Florida Humanities and Mel Fisher Maritime Museum as part of Florida Humanities’ Florida Talks program. Funding for Florida Talks funding is provided by Florida Humanities. Funding for this Florida Talks program was provided by Florida Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities.
February 10:
​The Prehistoric Archaeology of the Florida Key
A lecture by Robert Carr, Director of the Archaeological and Historical Conservancy, a non-profit organization, located in Davie, Florida. Archaeological and Historical Conservancy played a major role in the discovery and preservation of Miami Circle. Robert Carr discovered the site in 1988 when he was the Miami-Dade County Historic Preservation Director. Miami Circle is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated a national landmark.
Carr notes that the Florida Keys are well known for its world class maritime sites, but the terrestrial archaeology of Florida's First People is largely unknown to the public. This lecture presents the evidence of the extensive population of Indigenous people who lived throughout the Keys from at least 1,500 years ago. These hidden sites reveal the successful adaptation to a marine environment and to hardwood forests.
February 17:
The Quest for the Atocha
A panel discussion moderated by Carol Shaughnessy, featuring KT Budde-Jones, Judy Gracer, Damien Lin, Greta Philips-Ford, and Carol Tedesco.
There were many people who supported Mel Fisher’s quest to locate and recover the riches from Spain’s 1622 Treasure Fleet. Shaughnessy will initiate and guide a lively exchange with some of the key figures who worked for Mel Fisher during his search for the famed Treasure Fleet galleons – Nuestra Señora de Atocha and Santa Margarita. This diverse group of speakers represent the range of experience required for the excavation of the wreck sites including the subsequent recording, documenting, and division of artifacts. Hear why their individual and collective contributions were so important.
February 24:
Florida Keys Sanctuary Shipwreck Stories
A lecture by Matthew Lawrence, a maritime archaeologist based at Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary's Key Largo office. He has worked for the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries since 2002. Until his transfer to the Florida Keys sanctuary in 2017, he served as an archaeologist and the maritime heritage coordinator for Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary offshore of Massachusetts.
According to Lawrence, Florida Keys' history is illustrated by the hundreds of shipwrecks that can still be found in our local waters. Join Lawrence for this exploration of the past through some of the lesser known shipwrecks found in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
