Shipwrecks: Living Museums
Location: William Mathers Gallery
On Display: April 2026 - May 2028
Lead Curators: Charlie Beeker, Director of the IU Center for Underwater Science, and Sarah Muckerheide, Lead Laboratory Coordinator of the Center for Underwater Science
Co-Curator: Kenzie Day, Curatorial Graduate Student
Shipwrecks: Living Museums is an immersive archaeological exhibition developed in partnership with Charles Beeker, the IU Center for Underwater Science, and the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Culture. The history, archaeology, and ecology of shipwrecks, reveals their significance as both historical sites and living marine habitats. The exhibition also tells the story of underwater archaeology as a discipline, from its early days in the mid-20th century to its expansion following advances in diving technology.
This exciting new addition to the Museum will tell the story of notable shipwrecks from Indiana's Lake Michigan shoreline and the Caribbean, examining their roles in global commerce, technology, and cultural exchange. Visitors will delve into Indiana's maritime history through the exhibition, which will feature the Muskegon and J.D. Marshall Shipwreck Nature Preserves, two sites extensively studied by the Center for Underwater Science as a part of research grants funded by the Indiana Lake Michigan Coastal Program. Indiana University has conducted underwater archaeological investigations to produce 3D photogrammetry models of these sites, aiding in the preservation of Indiana’s cultural and biological resources. Visitors will also learn about the Center for Underwater Science’s work and research on two Caribbean shipwreck sites, the Punta Espada Shipwreck and the Nuestra Señora de Begoña, 16th-century and 18th-century Spanish merchant ships, where analysis on the ships’ cargo shed light on international trade and smuggling practices in the Caribbean.
Beyond their historical importance, shipwrecks are often naturally assimilated into the surrounding environment as “living museums,” adding an ecological dimension to their preservation. Faced with ongoing threats from looting, environmental changes, and human interference, it is vitally important to protect these sites, bringing together historic preservation and environmental conservation. The “Living Museum” model developed by the IU Center for Underwater Science provides these sites with permanent protection as Marine Protected Areas. This exhibition underscores the urgency of preserving these fragile resources and highlights the influential work of Dr. Beeker and his team in successfully advocating for their legal protection in both the U.S. and abroad.
A Special Thank You
The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology gratefully recognizes the Center for Underwater Science for its contributions to this exhibition. The Center's long history of academic diving, underwater archaeology, and cultural-resource stewardship has shaped decades of research and preservation in both Indiana and the Caribbean.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Culture for generously loaning the artifacts on display in this exhibition and for their vital contributions to the protection and presentation of these underwater heritage sites.