Being avid SCUBA divers, the History of Diving Museum was a site not to be missed on our way down to Key West.  Founded by Drs. Joe and Sally Bauer, this 501(c)(3) non-profit museum boasts one of the largest collections of diving helmets and other diving gear in the world.  From their website, their mission is as follows “The Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, displaying and interpreting artifacts, antiques, books, documents, photographs and oral history relative to the History of Diving. We tell the international story of man’s attempts to explore, understand and venture under the sea. We also celebrate the special role that South Florida and the Florida Keys played in this untold story.”

Early Diving Machine Prototype “Copper Kettle”

Exploring the History of Diving

The tour starts in the museum library, filled with books about the sea and diving as well as numerous research documents.  After a video on the history of diving, you pass through an air-lock door into the museum itself.  The exhibits take you through a 4000 year history of humans exploring the ocean.  From ancient bell-diving for crustaceans and sponges to modern commercial oil rig diving equipment, the museum will impress with the range of knowledge.

One surprising fact was the role played by engineer Charles Anthony Deane at a fire in a horse barn in the early 1800s. He donned a medieval “knight” helmet with air pumped from a fire brigade’s hose and was able to save all the horses. He later patented this “Smoke Helmet,” though it wasn’t hugely successful. He later converted it for use by salvage divers, so they could work better underwater, though only in a vertical position.  The work of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, including the revolutionary Aqua Lung is covered as well, which was one factor leading to the sport of diving changing from breath-holding to mainly scuba diving by the 1950s.

Diving Helmet Collection

Can You Lift a Bar of Silver?

There are also a number of interactive displays. Through one of them, we learned how to spot a fake Mark V US Navy Diving helmet, one of the most sought-after pieces for collectors. Another display had us try to lift a real bar of silver. One of was able (guess which) and the other was not, though I tried several times from several angles!

“Iron Mike,” atmospheric diving suit (ADS)

Diving Suits Collection

The collection of suits designed for deep water diving toward the end of the museum looks almost other-worldly.  The deep seas are as unexplored as outer space, so I suppose that makes sense. One suit is an atmospheric diving suit (ADS) that allows the wearer to dive to 1,000 feet deep. It’s known as “JIM” in honor of diving pioneer Jim Jarrett). The suit maintains pressure inside to match surface atmosphere.  Another suit, “Iron Mike” descended to about 250 feet to attempt to recover some of the treasure of the frigate Merida, which was reportedly carrying between 4 million and 26 million dollars in gold and silver bullion as well as the crown jewels of the Mexican Emperor Maximilian.

Regulators provide air to divers at the right pressure.

Plan Your Visit

The History of Diving Museum is located at 82990 Overseas Highway; Islamorada, FL 33036
(Mile Marker 83, Upper Matecumbe Key, Florida Keys). Tel: 305-664-9737. It’s open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, with extended hours the third Wednesday of each month. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for kids. There are many special programs and exhibits, so check the website or Facebook page if you are going to be in the area!  Until then, the museum’s blog has some great info and photos as well.