History of Diving Museum

[Doc Harry]

http://www.divingmuseum.org/

Wow!

Anyone traveling to the Florida Keys should not miss the History of Diving Museum on Islamorada near mile marker 83. This place will take you on a spectacular journey through man's exploration of the seas. The collection of early diving inventions, regulators, helmets, air pumps, rebreathers and diving armor is dazzling.

The museum exhibits begin with the timeline of diving, starting 4,000 years ago. There are numerous early diving gadgets and inventions on display.

The next room in the museum is dedicated to treasure hunters and south Florida diving. There is a nice collection of recovered artifacts and a display of underwater photography.

Then there is the "Parade of Nations," a well-designed display of 45 diving helmets collected from around the world. Next to the Parade of Nations is a room dedicated to the US Navy Mark V diving helmet.

For me, the most interesting room was the Scuba display. The parallel development of open and closed circuits is fascinating. You get a glimpse behind the Iron Curtain with some of the gear.

The final room has a few examples of diving armor, the real deal. Unbelievable stuff.

You gotta get down there and visit. Get a good meal before you go so that you can spend the time that this place deserves.

 

[Buoyant1]

I was in there last year, great place for sure! I never DID put up the photos...

My favorite room was the helmets from around the world, and the old rebreathers!

Definately a great collection!

 

[Debra@DivingMuseum]

Hi - I'm Debbie, I'm on staff at the History of Diving Museum. Thanks Doc Harry for the great write-up. We'd love to hear stories from people all over the world who have used vintage equipment - or any equipment. We just love to hear your diving stores. History is being made all the time! You can send me private messages, post stories on this forum or visit our web site. Better yet, come visit us in person!

And by the way, I'm a newbie to the undersea world. Stay posted for stories of my (mis?)adventures learning to dive!

 

[El Orans]

Better yet, come visit us in person!

Well, we're going to be in the Keys next March...

 

[Debra@DivingMuseum]

I was in there last year, great place for sure! I never DID put up the photos...

My favorite room was the helmets from around the world, and the old rebreathers!

Definitely a great collection!

Ben - Please post these photos for everyone to see. Glad you enjoyed the collection!

 

[Luis H]

I have heard all kinds of great things about the History of Diving Museum in the keys. I need to get down there at some point.

Harry Thanks for the thread.


Maybe we can have a NAVED (National Association of Vintage Equipment Divers) dive get together down in the keys sometime. We ought to try to coordinate something with the museum.

We have vintage equipment dive gatherings around the country (and next year we are also going to the Bahamas), and the keys could be a great place.




On a related subject, as far as I know the diving museum in the keys is the largest or one of the largest, but there are a lot of smaller diving museum around the country. I know of one in Gloucester, Massachusetts and I know there are many more. It would be good to start a list of where all the diving (or diving related) museums are located. IMO, as divers we should support every diving museum around.
Perhaps this needs its own thread.

 

[scubagoldmc]

My wife and I visited in March and really enjoyed it.

You can see our pictures at WaveDodger, scroll down to the bottom of our 2008 trips and you will see the link.

Mike

 

[Thalassamania]

I stopped in for "just a minute" and wound up spending most of the day. This is perhaps the best, "the boat's not going out today" activity in the Keys.

 

[cruiser]

My wife and I visited in March and really enjoyed it.

You can see our pictures at WaveDodger, scroll down to the bottom of our 2008 trips and you will see the link.

Mike

Enjoyed your photos of the dive museum. Especially the suits that look like the robot from Lost in Space

 

[Debra@DivingMuseum]

The History of Diving Museum would love to help coordinate a NAVED event or other type of divers "reunions." Let me know if you have suggestions. ScubaBoard is a great forum to get people together and we have the place.