As a child, I went on many school-sponsored field trips to Chicago’s various museums. Those trips were supposed to broaden our education, but for the most part my friends and I just liked the idea of getting out of regular classes.

The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum contains artifacts salvaged by divers from the Nuestra Se–nora de Atocha, a Spanish galleon shipwrecked off Key West. (Photo by Pat Clyne, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum)

The museums in many large cities feature historical items from centuries past, or paintings and sculptures by long-ago masters, housed in dignified stone buildings.

Key West’s museums, however, are a far cry from the typical. They reflect our way of life, our history, and in some cases our quirky sense of humor. Among our many museums, everyone — from kids to seniors — should find at least one that intrigues and excites. Here are just a few examples.

Interested in the treasures of the Spanish Main? The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum was founded by a treasure salvor who discovered the shipwreck of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha in the waters off Key West after a grueling 16-year search. Gold and silver, emeralds and antiquities from this 17th-century ship and its fleet-mate, the Santa Margarita, are displayed in the museum’s Greene Street building. In addition the unparalleled collection includes artifacts from the slave ship Henrietta Marie, also salvaged by Fisher and his crew.

Presidential descendants (from left) Margaret Hoover, Susan Ford Bales, Luci Baines Johnson and Clifton Truman Daniel gather at the Little White House Museum. (Photo by Rob O'Neal, Florida Keys News Bureau)

Then there’s the Harry S Truman Little White House Museum. During his 1945-1953 presidency, Truman spent nearly six months working and relaxing in the retreat that was called his Little White House. He even wrote to wife Bess, “I’ve a notion to move the capital to Key West and just stay.” The house, now Florida’s only presidential museum, is dedicated to the former president and contains such memorabilia as the piano he played and the cunningly camouflaged poker table where he and his cronies spent many evenings.

The Shipwreck Treasures Museum is dedicated to the wrecking or shipwreck salvage industry, which helped make Key West America’s richest city per capita during the mid-1800s. The call of “wreck ashore!” brought early Key Westers to the waters off the island, each hoping to arrive first at the sinking ship to rescue people on board and claim whatever could be salvaged. At the museum, a video tells tales of old Key West and its wreckers. And those who climb the steps to the museum’s observatory platform can scan the nearby waters for ships — much as the 19th-century captains did. It’s a long climb, but the view is worth it.

The striking red-brick Key West Muusem of Art & History at the Custom House overlooks Key West Harbor. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

Key West also has a Lighthouse Museum. The only U.S. lighthouse within city limits, the light still stands beside the keepers’ quarters building — and visitors can step back in time to learn about the men and women who kept it burning. There’s a great view from the top of the lighthouse for those with energy enough to climb the 88 steps.

How about a museum spotlighting turtles? Yes, the Key West Turtle Museum in the Historic Seaport tells the story of Key West’s long-past turtle-fishing industry and contains artifacts and photographs detailing the island’s long relationship with sea turtles. Sitting on the site of a former turtle soup cannery, the museum adjoins the old holding pens or kraals. There’s even a restaurant nearby called, appropriately, the Turtle Kraals.

We also have a museum dedicated to the island’s Cuban heritage, the San Carlos Institute, founded in 1871. In 1892, it was from the institute that Cuban patriot José Marti united exiles for his drive for Cuba’s independence.

At the Key West Shipwreck Museum, visitors can "meet" wreckers and learn their fascinating stories. (Photo courtesy of Historic Tours of America)

Then there’s the Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House, where you can see rare Ernest Hemingway memorabilia and learn about the remarkable Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad, called the eighth wonder of the world upon its completion in 1912.

Of course, these are not Key West’s only museums and historic attractions. In fact, when you visit, it’s best to take two or three days if you want to tour them all. And the more you explore, the better you’ll understand and appreciate the quirky, individualistic island and its people.