Although New Mexico has no coastline, the state is hosting a fascinating look at maritime history. The Farmington Museum & Visitor Center presents “Shipwreck! Pirates & Treasure,” an exhibition on display through February 2018 that showcases more than 500 artifacts recovered from shipwrecks.
The collection highlights gold and silver from well-known wrecks, including the Tortugas (discovered in 1989), the Civil War-era SS Republic, and the SS Gairsoppa, which holds the distinction of being the deepest recovery of precious metals to date. Alongside coins and ingots, visitors can see a variety of recovered objects that illustrate the risks and rewards of seafaring life.
The exhibit combines historical context with interactive experiences. Hands-on activities and children’s programming make the material accessible to younger visitors, while passenger accounts and authentic artifacts provide a human perspective on each wreck. A gallery devoted to pirate legends explores the myths and realities that surround piracy, and interactive displays — including a robotic arm used in modern treasure recovery — demonstrate the technology involved in deep-sea salvaging.
One immersive feature is a hurricane simulator that can generate winds up to 75 mph, giving visitors a visceral sense of how sailors tracked and endured storms before the advent of contemporary forecasting tools. These interactive elements enrich the narrative of exploration, loss, and recovery that runs throughout the exhibition.
The Farmington Museum & Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and for the special exhibit it offers extended Saturday hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The show appeals to history enthusiasts, families, and anyone curious about maritime archaeology and the stories hidden beneath the waves.