Ahoy, Mate, Pirates are Landing at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Pirates are coming! The Pirates are coming!  Really! On Saturday, October 18, the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will welcome Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship. It's an exhibition of the story of Whydah, the first authenticated pirate shipwreck in U.S. waters off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

If you are a museum member, Friday, October 17 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., you'll  have a special opportunity to explore Real Pirates before the general public. Guests will have the opportunity to partake in pirate-themed activities and interact with pirates in the exhibition. The pirates are part of the Brethren of the Great Lakes acting group and will be throughout the exhibition during opening weekend. Museum members can purchase tickets to the preview event by visiting www.grpm.org.

The one-of-a-kind exhibition features more than 200 authentic items recovered from the Whydah – real treasure last touched by real pirates. Ranging from canons to coins, the Ship’s massive bell and personal items that the pirates wore, visitors are given an unprecedented glimpse into unique economic, political and social circumstances of the early 18th-century Caribbean. Sunk in a fierce storm in April 1717, the Whydah was located in 1984 by underwater explorer Barry Clifford and his team. The wreck site is still actively excavated today lead by Chris Macort, Director of Operations in recovering artifacts.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.grpm.org. The fee includes admission to the exhibition and to the Grand Rapids Public Museum – adults $17, seniors -$16, children (3 to 17) - $12, children 2 and under are free. Member fees are: adults $12, senior - $11, member child (3-17) - $10, children 2 and under are free.