Five women involved in uncovering, recovering and interpreting two treasure-laden Spanish galleons that shipwrecked off Key West in 1622 will share personal stories from their life-altering adventures onTuesday, Feb. 17, at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, 200 Greene St.
Titled “The Quest for the Atocha,” the free-admission panel discussion will feature behind-the-scenes insights into events surrounding the search, recovery and documentation of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha and Santa Margarita shipwrecks. Sunk in a 1622 hurricane, the famed galleons were discovered after an epic and unrelenting search led by museum founder Mel Fisher.
Panelists KT Budde-Jones, Judy Gracer, Damien Lin, Greta Philips-Ford and Carol Tedesco will share firsthand accounts and intimate memories drawn from their varied roles — including diver, captain, photographer/videographer, confidential assistant to Fisher, business manager and specialist in Spanish colonial coinage, trade routes and cargoes.
Through their words, listeners can share the camaraderie, exhilaration of discovery, tragedies, triumphs and dedication that characterized the experience. Panelists will also reveal how their involvement in the project affected their lives.
“The Quest for the Atocha” is a highlight of the winter presentation series at the museum, located at 200 Greene St. Set for 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday throughout February, the presentations are led by archaeologists, scholars and experts on shipwrecks and their recovery.
The museum is fully accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and is a center for the excavation, preservation, research and exhibition of New World maritime artifacts. Its permanent exhibits include a comprehensive context-driven showcase of artifacts and treasure from the Atocha and Santa Margarita wrecks.Admission to all presentations is free. Doors open at 6 p.m. but seating is limited, so timely arrival is encouraged. More information is at melfisher.org.
