Route 28 of West Yarmouth is now home to Cape Cod’s newsiest Science center. The 12,000 square foot museum is an attraction for all ages where you can touch, see, and interact with the world’s only authenticated pirate treasure, founded by Cape Cod resident and underwater explorer Barry Clifford.
Clifford and team have been working around the clock to open the Whydah Pirate Museum before the busy summer season strikes Cape Cod. Between the construction, painting, assembling fixtures, and mounting artifacts on displays they have dedicated endless hours to make this museum a one of a kind, family-friendly attraction.
“The Whydah Pirate Museum is all about bringing the pirate story to life. We are excited to be opening a world-class attraction in Yarmouth that will have a lasting impact on the local economy and provide family-friendly entertainment for locals and tourists alike” Clifford said.
At Whydah Pirate Museum you can climb aboard a Whydah ship replica, touch and see 300 year-old silver pirate coins, pirate pistols, sword hilts, and find out why Captain Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy entered the violent nor’easter on April 26, 1717 off the coast of Cape Cod that sent his pirate ship into a watery grave. Kids will also learn about the exciting world of archeology and the many technologies that have been developed to allow scientists and historians to unlock clues embedded in these 300-year-old pirate treasures.
The Whydah was a full rigged galley ship that was originally built as a passenger, cargo and slave ship. On the return of one of its voyages, the famed pirate “Black Sam” captured it in 1717. Under the command of Black Sam, the Whydah headed northward towards Maine until it got struck by one of the worst storms to ever hit off the coast of Cape Cod.
Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy’s loss was history’s gain; turning his once-proud flagship vessel into the only exhibit that features authenticated pirate ship treasures.
This collection of artifacts has toured the United States over the past decade under an exhibition produced by National Geographic named “Real Pirates” and has been seen by over 2.5 million people across the United States. Clifford, a Provincetown resident since 1945, will now get the chance to display his pirate treasures to Cape residents and tourists for the first time since it was discovered.
For tickets and more information visit discoverpirates.com.