Fisher Museums/Replicas = Closing?

[PyrateJim]

I just read on another forum as well as a follow-up here that the Fisher Museum has been closed indefinately due to someone taking out the real treasures and replacing them with replica's. Which museum, Taffi's (from other site) or Key West (from other T-net thread), or both? Sounds like the Fed's did the closing, Who complained or "dropped a dime"?

I know that Taffi ususally closes for a month or so to do museum cleaning, books, exhibit work, rest, ect... so could it be that this is all that is going on, or is there more?

Replica's are not that uncommon in museums for various reasons, so is someone doing this on the sly or is this just another possible rumor and nothing is happening out of the ordinary?

What's the story?

 

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[EDDE]

gold went threw the roof

 

[Salvor6]

There is no law against displaying replicas in a museum. It is a common practice. The Sebastian museum usually closes in Oct. for cleaning. Gold is now at $880/ounce!

 

[mad4wrecks]

The easiest thing to do is call the museum(s) and ask. I just spoke with the Sebastian museum and they are open for business.

Tom

 

[ScubaFinder]

Yeah, I would confine this one to the "un-substantiated rumor" category until someone talks to them personally. I tried to get a hold of Bill Moore for info, but have been unsuccessful so far. Sebastian is open, and Key West didn't have anything on the answering machines or web sites about any closings. I do know that the artifacts in the Sebastian museum are real, not replicas. We do close for a month to clean the artifacts and change out exibits, but that has already happened this year in September. Tom or I will get in touch with Bill or Taffi soon and get the "real" story if there is one.

 

[billinstuart]

The McClarty museum has all fakes in it, apparently. I'd hate to see sebastian close..it's a really neat little facility. I certainly wouldn't begrudge them is some of the stuff was fake, but that intricate goldwork would be really hard to simulate.

 

[PhipsFolly]

Both Mel Fisher's & the McClarty Museum have a combination of authentic and replica pieces displayed for various (and relatively obvious reasons)... past burglaries, current security measures, conservation issues, and last but certainly not least... if the state wants to have an item in "their" collection (or should I say "our" collection since it all "belongs to the people" according to the state), a replica may be made for our viewing pleasure... whatever...

Anyway, I think both museums have done a great job with their efforts to bring the history to everyone despite the need for replicas.

 

[tom yerian]

The artifacts that are in the museum belontg to the fisher's, and their foundation. They can give them to charity if they want. As what was said above, it is not uncommon to replace real artifacts with replicas for many reasons; security is one! If they replace a real artifact with a replicate, I believe they have to place a placard saying this is a replica....Yours in Treasure...Capt Tom Yerian.