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Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum facts for kids
Main façade of museum in 2014
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| Established | 1986 |
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| Location | Biloxi, Mississippi, USA |
| Type | Maritime museum |
The Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum (MSIM) opened in 1986. Its main goal is to save and share the amazing stories of the sea and fishing in Biloxi and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The museum has many cool exhibits. You can learn about shrimping, oystering, and fun fishing trips. There are also displays about wetlands, how to protect ocean life, and charter boats. You'll see how people built wooden boats, made fishing nets, and even used old shrimp peeling machines. Lots of old photos and items help tell these stories.
Inside, there's a special part called the Wade Guice Hurricane Museum. It has 1,400 square feet (130 m2) of exhibit space and a modern theater. The museum has also brought history to life by building two large 65-foot Biloxi Schooners.
In August 2005, a big storm called Hurricane Katrina sadly destroyed the museum. But nine years later, in 2014, a brand new museum building opened its doors to the public.
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Fun Programs and Events
The Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum hosts two exciting events each year. These are the Sea and Sail Adventure Camp and the Billy Creel Memorial Wooden Boat Show.
Sea and Sail Adventure Camp
This camp is for kids aged 6 to 12. Campers get to experience the history of the Mississippi Gulf Coast firsthand. They go on sailing trips, try fishing, make maritime crafts, and visit places related to the seafood industry. It's a great way to learn and have fun!
Billy Creel Memorial Wooden Boat Show
The Billy Creel Memorial Wooden Boat Show is the biggest gathering of boats on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It features many different kinds of wooden boats. You can see historic boats, old antique boats, classic boats, and even modern wooden boats.
Famous Schooner Boats
The Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum has two replica oyster schooners. These are named the Glenn L. Swetman and the Mike Sekul. These types of ships were used along the Gulf Coast a long time ago, from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.
These schooners were once very important for oyster fishing. However, new boat engines and changes in fishing rules meant they were no longer used. The museum's replicas help us remember these important boats.
Schooner Pier Complex
The Schooner Pier Complex was finished in June 2006. This pier is the home for the two Biloxi Schooner replicas, the Glenn L. Swetman and the Mike Sekul.
The pier has three covered areas and a storage space for boat parts. It also has restrooms that are easy for everyone to use. There's even an observation deck on the second story where you can get a great view. The complex also has a special station for boats to pump out waste. There's also space for a future gift shop and an office for the schooner business.
New Museum Building
On August 2, 2014, a brand new museum building opened to the public. This new museum is three stories tall and has 20,000 sq ft (1,900 m2) of space. It offers lots of room for exhibits and activities for visitors.