Former Philly 76ers president Pat Croce opened his Key West, Florida pirate museum on Jan. 5, 2004 by cutting the ribbon with a pirate sword. Called the Pirate Soul Museum, the $10 million tourist attraction displays 500 pirate artifacts and memorabilia from his personal collection and loans from other museums.

The Pirate Soul Museum is arranged as a series of rooms resembling parts of a pirate ship, and a replica of 17th century Port Royal, Jamaica, a renowned pirate port. Along with the legit historical displays, Croce has spiced up the experience with theme park effects and dramatics, including an animatronic Blackbeard, a multimedia presentation projected on sails, a talking pirate head, a porthole that emits the odors of a pirate ship, and a brothel peephole. An interactive multimedia program lets visitors explore the lives and legends of twelve pirates.

Croce plans to open a pirate restaurant and bar next to the museum called "The Rum Barrel."

strong>Pirate Soul Museum, 524 Front Street, Key West, Florida. Open 9 am - 7 pm daily. 305-292-1113) [01/07/2005]

February 10, 2012