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    Grant Historical House

    4.0 (1 review)
    Closed 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

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    14 years ago

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    McLarty Treasure Museum

    McLarty Treasure Museum

    3.8(24 reviews)
    8.1 mi

    The McLarty Treasure Museum is located in Sebastian Inlet State Park. A late July hurricane in 1715…read moresank a Spanish treasure fleet near here as they were sailing from Havana, Cuba to Spain. Eleven of the twelve ships filled with gold, silver, jewels, and other goods from the New World sank off the coast between present day Melbourne Beach and Vero Beach. 1,000 lives were lost and the cargo was scattered over a 40 mile area. Approximately 1,500 men, women, and children who survived the disaster reached the shore and made a camp along the barrier island near the place where the fleet's flagship had sunk. The treasure was mainly salvaged by Spain over the next four years and taken back to Havana Cuba. In the early 1940's, amateur archaeologist Charles Higgs discovered evidence of the salvage camps in the dunes near the Sebastian Inlet. A hurricane in 1955 washed away some dunes around the camps, revealing many artifacts and silver coins. The wreck was eventually rediscovered by treasure hunters in the 1960's. Salvage efforts by local builder Kip Wagner and his Real 8 Company recovered thousands of coins, pieces of jewelry, and several cannons. These discovery led to the establishment of a State Park and the McLarty Treasure Museum. The McLarty Treasure Museum was created by Mr. Robert McLarty, a retired attorney from Atlanta who lived in Vero Beach and donated the land. The museum has a large exhibit room with displays on Ais history, the ancient first inhabitants of this area and the history of the 1715 Spanish treasure fleet including artifacts, displays, and a 45 minute movie by A&E, The Queen's Jewels and the 1715 Fleet. Not to be missed is the display of Kangxi porcelain, a delicate Chinese blue-and-white pattern that was packed in mud for protection during the journey. There is also a gift shop. Behind the museum is an observation deck modeled to look like a pirate ship that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean where the ships are believed to have sunk. During storms, the treasure has been known to wash ashore to this day. Admission to the museum is $2 and while small it is engaging and worth a visit. Especially when combined with a visit to nearby Sebastian Inlet State Park and Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.

    What fun! A very small but interesting museum covering the 1715 treasure fleet located on what used…read moreto be the survivors' and salvagers' camp. It's part of the Sebastian Inlet State Park and there's a nominal admission fee. There's a short movie which was interesting enough, observation deck (without beach access, though there's plenty nearby), and enough interesting things to see in about an hour if you run through it and don't watch the movie. I think my favorite exhibit was the scrap book of articles, letters, and testimonies of treasure hunters who've actually found treasure on the beaches here. Really makes you want to start hitting the beaches hunting for bobby dazzlers! lol. We also thought we'd hop across the Indian River and also visit the Mel Fisher museum but this was enough treasure fever for one day. Another time. Super friendly helpful staff rounds out the experience.

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    McLarty Treasure Museum
    McLarty Treasure Museum
    McLarty Treasure Museum

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    Grant Historical House - museums - Updated June 2026

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