Immerse yourself in the industry which contributes millions of dollars to the Mississippi Gulf Coast economy by visiting the Maritime Seafood Industry Museum.
Opened in 1986, the museum aims the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history and heritage of Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Located in the eastern tip of Biloxi peninsula, the museum is housed in a Spanish-inspired structure, built in 1934, which was a part of the U.S. Coast Guard station. It contains unique artifacts and preserved objects related to the history of the Biloxi seafood industry.
The 10, 300 square feet of exhibit area includes exhibits on shrimping, oystering, shrimp peeling machine, wooden boat building, marine blacksmithing and netmaking.
In addition to the exhibit area, Wade Guice Hurricane Museum features a theatre and and exhibit space of 1,400 square feet. Art lovers can check the Art Gallery with works from national as well as regional maritime artists. Rotating exhibits are available throughout the year. Classroom experience and research library are also available.
The museum has new exhibits including Charter Boat, Recreational Fishing, Managing Marine Resources,Catboats/Biloxi Skiff, Laitram Peeling Machine and Wetlands. In 2006, the Schooner Pier Complex was completed and it consists of 22 slips and 200 ft. of floating dockage. The docks are available for accommodating transient boaters who want to experience the real sailing adventure. To fully embrace the history, the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum made a replica of the two famous schooners namely "Glenn L. Swetman" and the "Mike Sekul." These schooners once sailed during the late 1800s to early 1900s. About a quarter mile to the east of the complex is the fuel dock.
The museum is dedicated in preserving and sharing the history of the maritime industry in the city. Its friendly volunteers serve to assist in their annual Sea-n-Sail Adventure Camp and also serve as schooners’ crew members. They also help in the preservation of the precious artifacts as well as in other fund raising efforts. Learn more about the history of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and its recovery after Hurricane Camille or become a museum docent by visiting the museum.
