Children's Museum's actual-size Spanish galleon under construction

On 07/11/2010
In Museum News
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A Spanish galleon Photo by Guy Kitchens

By Adam Wynn -TCPalm

Workers have begun creating the actual-size 1600s Spanish galleon that will be the centerpiece of the Treasure Coast Children’s Museum’s Explorer Wing.

Construction of the 62-foot ship began about two weeks ago and is scheduled to be completed Dec. 5. The ship is being built in the east wing of the museum, at Indian RiverSide Park in Jensen Beach.

Richard Baron, the museum’s president emeritus and current board member, said the ship will continue the museum’s mission of providing a hands-on, fun learning environment.

“What do kids have around here to look forward to (playing on) ?” Baron said. “Crawling around in the tubes at McDonald’s ?”

The ship, named the Marti Frances after donors Marti Huizenga, wife of businessman H. Wayne Huizenga, and the Frances Langford Foundation, created by the late singer/actress, will be open to the public Dec. 17.

Four-year-old Chase Mitchell received a sneak peak — just a glance really — of the galleon.

“Wow, that’s cool,” he said. “I can’t wait.”

The ship will have activity stations on the upper and lower decks to give visitors a feel for the sailor lifestyle. Spyglasses and pneumatic cannons will sit on the top deck, along with stations to teach visitors the fundamentals of sailing and to learn the sights and smells of the sea.

There will also be a diorama of the captain’s quarters, complete with a captain who has yet to be named.