I have seen this private museum and it is well worth the trip if you are in MO. Fantastic displays of brand new looking items in huge quantities. In fact, some items were so preserved that they looked fake. They have even sampled the preserved pickles and peaches in the cargo and found them fine. Wow!
I talked to one of the sons that did the dig and he told me all about the hassle and anger from the usual academic and government suspects. Seems they think that anything not in one’s own backyard (and it was on a farmer’s land who gave them approval) and not made of plastic or sold in the last five years belongs to them in the ‘name of the people and science.’
Seems like the academics and government had the same opportunity to do the research and locate the ship and didn't care, until someone else did the hard work.
/johnny
My wife and I and our three granddaughters spent the better part of a day in the Arabia museum last summer. It is a totally unique exhibit, thoroughly fascinating.
The granddaughters got to try some perfume that had been salvaged from the wreck...and found that it was still active.
Like you, we got to talk to one of the Hawleys. They are an impressive bunch of folks...and very approachable.
Any FReeper who finds themselves in the KC area would be advised to plan on visiting the Arabia.