If you’re as intrigued with what lies below our local waters as we are, keep reading.
Home to the world’s largest collection of diving helmets, hand-operated air pumps, armored suits, lights, and other accessory gear, The History of Diving Museum in Islamorada is a treasure trove of diving memorabilia, prints, photos, books, film, video, and more.
In all, the Museum has fourteen exhibits reflecting over 4,000 years of “the quest to explore under the sea.” With interactive displays, a fun scavenger hunt, and an international collection that showcases equipment and pioneers from around the world, The History of Diving Museum will keep you riveted for hours.
BTW: Along with the core exhibits, the Museum also hosts two Featured Exhibits each year. Currently on display through December: “Diving in Pop Culture,” which explores all of the creative ways that diving has been incorporated into literature, advertising, film, games, music, collectibles, and more for the last 100 years.
Oh, and get this: on the third Wednesday of every month, the Museum stages its highly popular “Immerse Yourself!” series. Coming up on Wednesday, August 21 at 7 pm, is an especially fascinating presentation by shark researcher and biologist, Dr McComb-Kobza with Ocean First Institute.
Believe it or not, there are over 500 living shark species which have radiated into nearly every aquatic habitat on earth. And while sharks can be very scary to many of us, they are actually an iconic and misunderstood species with a long evolutionary history.
During this special “Immerse Yourself“ presentation, Dr McComb-Kobza will discuss her current research on great white sharks and also talk about Ocean First Institute’s work with shark conservation in the Florida Keys. She’ll also share the story of the sharks rise, their diversification and their fascinating adaptations throughout history.
FYI: Reservations are strongly recommended for this free presentation which takes place on Wednesday, August 21 at 7 pm. You can secure your seat by calling the History of Diving Museum at 305-664-9737 or by emailing the Museum’s Community Outreach team at programs@divingmuseum.org.
No worries if you can’t attend in-person: Just go to DivingMuseum.org for a virtual Zoom link. The session is also be recorded and posted to the HDM YouTube channel. The History of Diving Museum is open daily from 10 am – 5pm at 82990 Overseas Hwy. Info: 305-664-9737; divingmuseum.org.
