Turtle Museum - Historic Cannery & Conservation

Key West Turtle Museum – Historic Cannery & Florida Keys Sea Turtle Conservation

The Key West Turtle Museum at 200 Margaret Street offers a compelling look at the island’s storied maritime past, housed in the 1918 Thompson Fish House, the last surviving turtle cannery in the United States. Positioned along the working waterfront of the Historic Seaport, the building retains its original cypress supports and worn wooden plank floors, providing direct views of the shallow bay where commercial turtle kraals once held green sea turtles destined for global markets. The rhythmic hum of dock lines and the scent of the harbor set a tone that blends authentic history with modern conservation insight.

Along the shoreline, visitors follow outdoor interpretive signage outlining the cannery’s operations, with original concrete kraals visible at low tide. These remnants frame stories of the A.M. Adams schooner voyages from Central America and the fast-paced processing days when up to 25 turtles were butchered, canned, and distributed to elite restaurants across Europe and the U.S. until the practice ended in 1957. What began as profit-driven export later transformed into a lesson in sustainability, now reflected in today’s Florida Keys sea turtle conservation movement.

Inside the museum, interactive exhibits present the shift from exploitation to protection. Displays highlight modern rescue, tagging efforts, habitat preservation, and the impact of the 1973 Endangered Species Act, which ended commercial harvesting. During seasonal periods, a small viewing tank introduces guests to a recuperating juvenile turtle, deepening the connection between historical industry and living ecology. Artifacts retrieved during 2000 archaeological excavations include turtle bones, cannery tools, and photo archives documenting workers from immigrant fishing families who powered this waterfront economy.

Throughout the space, history remains hands-on and personal, guided by volunteers who bring real maritime knowledge to the storytelling—often trained marine biologists or retired Key West fishermen. Their insight underscores the museum’s message: a community once reliant on turtling now champions species protection. Admission is free, with donations supporting conservation education and ongoing preservation of the building and shoreline.

Operating Hours: Open Thursday–Saturday, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (seasonal). The museum serves as an ideal stop before enjoying nearby charter boats, waterfront restaurants, or additional maritime history at the Mel Fisher Museum on Greene Street.