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The world’s largest children’s museum is proud to announce that internationally renowned underwater archaeologist Professor Charles Beeker is its new Extraordinary Underwater Archaeologist-in-Residence.
Beeker and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis have been in a unique and active partnership since 2011, generously funded by Eli Lilly and Company Foundation. So it is no surprise to his Children's Museum family that the world spotlight is shining brightly on him. Beeker is hot on the trail of a historic discovery as he works to verify the authenticity of a shipwreck found off the coast of Haiti that is believed to be Christopher Columbus’ Santa Maria, the flagship that brought the explorer to the New World. Beeker is working collaboratively with underwater archaeological explorer Barry Clifford, whose team discovered the wreckage.
Beeker, who serves as director of the Office of Underwater Science and Educational Resources in the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, along with his IU team and The Children’s Museum, made international headlines in recent years when a shipwreck in the Dominican Republic was authenticated as the Cara Merchant (also referred to as the Quedagh Merchant) the ship that belonged to accused pirate Capt. Kidd.
The underwater scientist and his team share their passion and findings directly with museum visitors in monthly presentations/talks. Artifacts from Capt. Kidd's Cara Merchant as well as a Spanish galleon are on display in the museum's National Geographic Treasures of the Earth exhibit, where families learn first-hand how archaeological science is revealing the mysteries of history.
Upon being named Extraordinary Underwater Archaeologist-in-Residence Beeker said, “I’m thrilled to officially join The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis’ team and to continue our work educating young people and their families about the work of underwater archaeology through important historic finds we have discovered in shipwrecks in the Caribbean. I am particularly excited to share more artifacts and stories from significant historic shipwrecks in the Dominican Republic and to bring these stories to life through new exhibits and programs.”
Beeker’s expanded role at The Children’s Museum will include developing new museum programming related to shipwrecks discovered in the Caribbean, serving as liaison with Dominican Republic officials to borrow one-of-a-kind artifacts from underwater sites that will be conserved and displayed at the museum, and presenting public programs and lectures. He will also share the work of IU underwater archaeology students with the general public in the museum’s Archaeology Lab, located in the Treasures of the Earth exhibit.
“The thrill of discovery is something we are extremely proud to share with those who visit The Children's Museum. It is through longtime unique relationships with global experts such as Charlie Beeker that we are uniquely positioned to share rare, historic finds directly with the children and families who visit the world's largest children's museum,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. "It is heartening to know that we are helping others experience these astonishing discoveries first-hand through our partnerships with subject matter experts from around the world as they happen and through the artifacts they bring back to display only at The Children's Museum."
