On Wednesday, June 18th, the History of Diving Museum will host CW4 Michael Carr (Retired) for Diving and Salvage Operations at 7 p.m. In this presentation, Michael will take you through the underwater salvage operations he was involved in.
 
Michael Carr is a retired US military officer and a US Navy trained Ship Salvage Diving Officer (SSDO). He served as officer in charge of the Coast Guard's National Strike Force Dive Team in the 1980s, participating in numerous diving, salvage, and rescue operations. After service in the US Coast Guard, he served as a Marine Warrant Officer in the Army watercraft community, deploying to combat operations in Iraq as part of Operation New Dawn.
 
Join Michael as he takes us through the diving and salvage operations in response to the Air Florida FLT 90 crash in the Potomac River, as well as the sinking of the SS Marine Electric off the coast of Virginia. This presentation will focus on the disasters themselves as well as both the physical and emotional challenges faced by salvage divers.
 
The Museum will have extended hours on Immerse Yourself night, with the exhibits open until 6:45 PM. Be sure to come see the Celebrating 20 Years! Featured Exhibit, which explores what it took to create the world’s largest collection of diving equipment on public display, as well as how diving has evolved since the Museum’s opening.
 
If you are interested in attending the Immerse Yourself lecture either in-person or online via Zoom, visit divingmuseum.org to register. This session will also be recorded and posted to the HDM YouTube channel. The History of Diving Museum would like to thank this month’s Immerse Yourself sponsors: Iron Mike Member Retired Navy Admiral Kurt Tidd, and Horizon Divers.
 
The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Islamorada (MM83). Divers and non-divers alike are amazed by over 4,000 years of “the quest to explore under the sea.” The Museum has 14 core exhibits plus two annual limited-time Featured Exhibits as well as a Museum Store with unique gifts. Check out DivingMuseum.org for more details, to become a member or shop online.

This year, the History of Diving Museum celebrates 20 years since it first opened to the public. The upcoming exhibit will delve into what it took to create the world's largest collection of diving equipment on public display, how the Museum has grown in the past twenty years, and what the future holds. The opening ceremony will take place from 5:45 PM to 6:45 PM on Wednesday, May 21st, followed by Immerse Yourself! Mistakes Divers Make, with Dan Orr.
 
Founded by Drs. Joe and Sally Bauer in 2005, the History of Diving Museum is the culmination of over four decades of passionate collecting, curating, and researching of diving history. It represents one of the most extensive collections in the world, and has treated visitors from across the globe to the millennia-old story of "the quest to explore under the sea."
 
Celebrating 20 Years! Featured Exhibit will open on Wednesday, May 21st with a preview reception starting at 5:45 PM, followed by the ribbon cutting at 6:30 PM and a 7:00 PM Immerse Yourself! presentation with Dan Orr, diving consultant and former president of DAN. His seminar will take us through the incidence of injury in scuba diving and mistakes that divers make, with recommendations on how to identify and mitigate these risks.
If you are interested in attending the exhibit opening or Immerse Yourself! lecture in-person, you can either register online at DivingMuseum.org or email the Community Outreach team at [email protected]. For those unable to attend the Immerse Yourself! in-person, visit our website for a virtual Zoom link at DivingMuseum.org. This session will also be recorded and posted to the HDM YouTube channel. The Museum would like to thank this month’s sponsors: Mark “Sharky” Alexander and Trident Surface Supplied Diving, and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.   
 
The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Islamorada (MM83). The Museum is open daily from 10AM-5PM and hosts over 14 core exhibits plus two limited-time Featured Exhibits, as well as a Museum Store with unique gifts. Check out DivingMuseum.org for more details, to become a member or shop online.

On Wednesday, April 16th, the History of Diving Museum will host Dr. Cori Convertito for Following the Fish: Hemingway in the Keys at 7 p.m. In this presentation, Dr. Convertito will take you through Ernest Hemingway’s life in the Florida Keys and his involvement in the local sport fishing scene.
 
Ernest Hemingway, a famous writer in Key West throughout the 1930s, immersed himself in Florida Keys game fishing and did much to popularize it among fellow writers, readers, and sportsmen. This talk will discuss Hemingway's angling exploits and spotlight his conservation activities.
 
Dr. Cori Convertito is the chief curator and historian at the Key West Art and Historical Society. She has 25 years of experience in the museum and archives sector, and also serves as an adjunct educator in history at the College of the Florida Keys. Cori holds a Ph. D. in British Naval History from the University of Exeter, U.K. Her thesis is titled "The Health of British Seamen in the West Indies, 1770-1806' and was awarded the Boydell & Brewer Prize for the best doctoral thesis in maritime history, 2011-12.
 
April 16th will also be the last day to catch the History of Diving Museum’s featured exhibit Dive Into Art: Fintastic Fish of Florida. Be sure to come early before Immerse Yourself to see this vibrant celebration of fishing, aquaculture, and sustainable seafood in the Florida Keys. Students from local schools crafted sculptures, plush toys, paintings, and paper mache creations. Their work is displayed alongside art from the Art Guild of the Purple Isles, as well as interpretive provided by local organizations committed to ocean conservation.
 
If you are interested in attending the Immerse Yourself lecture either in-person or online via Zoom, visit divingmuseum.org to register. This session will also be recorded and posted to the HDM YouTube channel. The History of Diving Museum would like to thank this month’s Immerse Yourself sponsor: The Surgery Center.
 
The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Islamorada (MM83). Divers and non-divers alike are amazed by over 4,000 years of “the quest to explore under the sea.” The Museum has 14 core exhibits plus two annual limited-time Featured Exhibits as well as a Museum Store with unique gifts. Check out DivingMuseum.org for more details, to become a member or shop online.

Join the History of Diving Museum at 7 PM Wednesday, August 21st for Immerse Yourself! Shark Research and Conservation Biology with Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza, shark biologist with Ocean First Institute.
 
Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza specializes in applied conservation biology, particularly of endangered species and natural resources in marine ecosystems. She has been researching for over 20 years, focusing primarily on the biology, behavior, abundance, and movement of sharks using novel technologies. The goal of her work is to support science based strategic conservation initiatives. Mikki holds a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from Florida Atlantic University and is the author of numerous scientific publications.
 
Sharks are iconic and misunderstood species with a long evolutionary history. There are over 500 living species, which have radiated into nearly every aquatic habitat. Join Dr. McComb-Kobza as she shares the story of sharks’ rise, diversification and fascinating adaptations. She will discuss her current research on great white sharks and other aspects of her ongoing conservation projects.
 
If you are interested in attending the Immerse Yourself lecture in-person, reserve your seat today by calling the Museum at (305) 664-9737 or emailing the Community Outreach team at [email protected]. For those unable to attend in-person, visit DivingMuseum.org for a virtual Zoom link. The History of Diving Museum would like to thank this month’s Immerse Yourself sponsor and members: David and Patti Gross. The session is also be recorded and posted to the HDM YouTube channel.
 
The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Islamorada (MM83). Divers and non-divers alike are amazed by over 4,000 years of “the quest to explore under the sea.” The Museum has 14 core exhibits plus two annual limited-time Featured Exhibits as well as a Museum Store with unique gifts. Stop in and visit Salvaging the Deep, open until the end of the year. Check out DivingMuseum.org for more details, to become a member or shop online.

ISLAMORADA, FL – Join the History of Diving Museum on Saturday, August 17th at 11AM and 2PM for guided tours included with admission ticket. These tours will cover the whole museum, as well as highlight the anniversary of William Beebe and Otis Barton’s record-shattering dive in the Bathysphere!
 
In August 1934, Beebe and Barton made history by descending more than 3,000 feet in a suspended metal sphere, giving the world its first glimpse at living deepsea creatures such as the anglerfish. Be sure to get an in-depth look at the Museum’s Salvaging the Deep featured exhibit, which delves into some of the deepest wrecks in the world and milestones like the Bathysphere that enabled us to get down there.
 
Kids will enjoy a scavenger hunt, free bookmarks and take home activity guides. As part of the Blue Star Museums program, active duty members of the military along with up to five family members are free, as are History of Diving Museum members. Florida Keys residents receive a discount, so take advantage of it this weekend for a complimentary tour.  
 
The next public guided tour date will coincide with Labor Day weekend and the end of the Blue Star Museums program on Sunday, September 1st.
 
The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit open daily from 10AM to 5PM, and located in Islamorada (MM83). Divers and non-divers alike are amazed by over 4,000 years of “the quest to explore under the sea.” The Museum has 14 core exhibits plus two annual limited-time featured exhibits and a Museum Store with unique gifts. Not a member? It’s an easy process in person or online. Check out DivingMuseum.org for more details. 

​ISLAMORADA, FL – Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and museums across America, offering free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard, Reserve, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps. The 2024 Blue Star Museums program begins on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 18th and ends on Labor Day, Monday, September 2nd.
 
As a tribute to our active duty military, the History of Diving Museum offers active-duty free admission year-around. Participating since the first launch of Blue Star Museums initiative in 2010, this program allows up to five of their family members free access as well. You can find additional museums at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.
 
Come see the History of Diving Museum’s brand new featured exhibit, Salvaging the Deep! This exhibit delves into some of the deepest wrecks in the world, and what it took to get there. Read about important military operations such as the first rescue of men trapped underwater in a submarine along with other heroic salvage operations.
 
The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Islamorada (MM83). Divers and non-divers alike are amazed by over 4,000 years of “the quest to explore under the sea.” The Museum has 14 core exhibits plus two annual limited-time Featured Exhibits as well as a Museum Store with unique gifts. Check out DivingMuseum.org for more details, to become a member or shop online.
 
About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the Arts Endowment supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. To learn more, visit arts.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
 
About Blue Star Families
BlueStar Families (BSF) is the nation’s largest chapter-based military and veteran family support organization. Its research-driven approach fosters strong communities with a focus on human centered design and innovative solutions. Since its founding in 2009, BSF has delivered millions of dollars in benefits and affected more than 1.5 million people each year. For more information, click here and follow along with Blue Star Families on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Get your tickets now for an evening of art, community and special musical tribute to musician, artist and avid diver Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. Bands have a shelf life, but great music thrives—and this is perhaps truest of the Grateful Dead, whose repertoire is now being performed by hundreds of bands. Among the best of them is Waynard Scheller and Rainbow Full of Sound (RFoS). 
​
RFoS took shape in 2012 when a group of Dead Head musicians decided to replicate the Dead’s legendary 1980 Radio City Music Hall run.  They had so much fun they never stopped. A rotating cast of members keeps things lively and the music fresh. The continuing link is Waynard, whose roots in music include a ragtime-piano-playing grandfather, guitar-toting hippie babysitters, and a mom who taught him classics like “Heart and Soul.” 
Enjoy a night under the stars at Safe Harbor Angler House in Islamorada. Celebrating Jerry’s love of diving and protecting our oceans, the Jerry Garcia Foundation donated limited-edition museum quality giclees of his art to the History of Diving Museum. Prints will be on display and available for purchase. In addition, there will be a drawing for one print.  Each piece of fine art comes with a JGF Certificate of Authenticity that is hand-signed by Jerry's wife, Manasha and daughter, Keelin.
 
Along with dinner and dancing “Dive Into Art & Music” on March 29th, from 5:30-9:00 pm, there will be a fun photo op area provided by Keys Westys with a ’70s hippy style VW van and community booths to share coral restoration efforts from Key Largo to Key West.
 
Seating will be limited, with several options available: Poolside access, dinner by M.E.A.T Eatery and Tap Room, admission to the History of Diving Museum and a Jerry Garcia art raffle is $125 per person. For $3,000, a sponsor will receive their very own signed giclee, VIP reserved seating and dinner for four along with admission passes to the History of Diving Museum.
 
There will be a limited number of general admission tickets available at $50 per person which is packaged with a Jerry Garcia art raffle ticket. You can purchase tickets for the event at the Museum or on their website: https://divingmuseum.org/. The event will be held, rain or shine, and if unable to attend, you can view remaining art available for purchase at the Museum.
 
The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Islamorada (MM83). Divers and non-divers alike are amazed by over 4,000 years of “the quest to explore under the sea.” The Museum has 14 core exhibits plus two annual limited-time Featured Exhibits as well as a Museum Store with unique gifts. Check out DivingMuseum.org for more details, to become a member, or shop online.

The History of Diving Museum, in collaboration with the Art Guild of the Purple Isles and Monroe County School District, hosts a new limited-time Featured Exhibit Dive Into Art: Coral Creations. This year’s theme is inspired by the Jerry Garcia Foundation and will be open through April 17th.
 
For the sixth annual Dive Into Art installation, students from Key Largo to Key West are participating, along with skilled members of the Art Guild. All are united with a theme of inspiring coral conservation. Educational interpretive from local coral restoration practitioners will inform visitors about the reefs of the Florida Keys, programs to rebuild and protect them, and ways everyone can help and participate.
 
Jerry Garcia was the iconic lead guitarist of the band Grateful Dead; however, his creative talents began long before that. He was an artist from childhood who was painting in oils by the age of seventeen and thought of himself as “an artist who played music.” He also stated, “A line on paper is like a note in the air, and once a mark is made, it can no more be erased than a note, once sounded, can be taken back.”

Jerry also had a love of the ocean. In the late 1980s, Jerry became a certified diver and logged over 300 dives with Jack’s Diving Locker in Hawaii. He was so impressed with the Kona diving that he testified at the 1986 Hawaii state hearing in support of a mooring buoy project to protect the reef system. Hawaii approved the project, and to this day Jack’s Diving Locker monitors over 90 buoys along the Kona coast. Pulling these two passions together, the Jerry Garcia Foundation has graciously helped support Dive Into Art through donations of limited edition museum quality giclee prints of Jerry’s art. Each piece is signed by his wife and daughter, Manasha and Keelin, and available for purchase at the History of Diving Museum. All proceeds support the featured exhibit and educational outreach.
Dive Into Art: Coral Creations will launch on Wednesday, January 17th with a preview reception starting at 5:30pm, followed by the 7:00pm Immerse Yourself presentation Empowering Divers and Snorkelers to Support Coral Restoration with Madeline Cholnoky and JD Reinbott, NOAA Mission Iconic Reefs Stewardship Manager and Coordinator.

If you are interested in attending the preview or Immerse Yourself lecture in-person, reserve your space today by calling the Museum at (305) 664-9737 or emailing the Community Outreach team at [email protected]. For those unable to attend the Immerse Yourself in-person, visit our website for a virtual Zoom link at DivingMuseum.org. This session will also be recorded and posted to the HDM YouTube channel.   
 
The History of Diving Museum would like to thank the Art Guild of the Purple Isles artists and volunteers for dedicating over 300 hours to develop the project and assist teachers in addition to helping HDM with installation of the exhibit. Dive Into Art: Coral Creations was made possible and sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts, Monroe County Tourist Development Council, Florida Keys Council of the Arts, Jerry Garcia Foundation, Ocean Reef Conservation Association, Wildlife & Land Preservation, and generous donors on Giving Tuesday. 
 
The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Islamorada (MM83). Divers and non-divers alike are amazed by over 4,000 years of “the quest to explore under the sea.” The Museum is open daily from 10AM-5PM and hosts over 14 core exhibits plus two limited-time Featured Exhibits, as well as a Museum Store with unique gifts. Check out DivingMuseum.org for more details, to become a member or shop online.