There’s a new world for ocean lovers to explore in the museum at Crane Point Museum and Nature Center. Gathering business and nonprofit leaders with local dignitaries on Oct. 6, the center debuted its reimagined exhibit in partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory, showing off phase one of Mote’s Mangrove to Reef Exhibit.
The entirely refreshed museum, originally built in 1954, serves as Mote Marine’s 10th campus, with interpretive displays and interactive kiosks – check out the infinitely fun “Draw Alive” aquarium display – to offer engaging looks at the connections between the Keys’ coral reef, mangrove and seagrass ecosystems. Funding for the museum project was made possible by the Monroe County TDC.
“We stripped it – we took everything out,” said Crane Point CEO Charlotte Quinn. “We redid the wiring, redid the tower, just started over. And then after we got that finished, I looked at the gift shop and thought it didn’t match any more. So we tore that apart and redid it too.
“I hope people come and see it. I’m proud to be a partner with Mote, and I thank the TDC for the grant.”
Photos by NATALIE DANKO/Contributed
