Entrance Scaled 1 E1761060408158 — Rendering of the exhibit’s entrance (National Maritime Museum)

The city of Mobile has laid out a first look at the new Jimmy Buffett exhibit coming to the National Maritime Museum in September 2026.

The “Jimmy Buffett: Son of a Son of a Sailor Experience” will feature more than 130 artifacts from the artist’s life across a 6,000 sq. ft. exhibit. Visitors will be able to see:

Never-before-seen footage
Photos
Interviews
Audio recordings
Buffett’s guitars

There will be a 180-degree screen included at the exhibit to create an immersive concert experience that captures what it was like to see Buffett perform in person.

Other highlights include a model of Jimmy’s grandfather’s schooner, “The Chiquimula,” that inspired his hit song “Son of a Son of a Sailor.” There will also be a children’s section based on the book Jimmy wrote with his daughter called Jolly Mon.

“Like many other Mobilians, I am very much looking forward to this exhibit and what it will mean for the museum and Mobile’s burgeoning downtown riverfront. It will be transformative! This would not be happening without the support of the Mobile City Council and many others. I want to thank the museum’s Executive Director, Karen Poth, and her wonderful staff of dedicated employees for seeing the potential of this exhibit and making it a reality. They have truly taken the reins and are helping the Maritime Museum reach its full potential.”
Sandy Stimpson, Mobile mayor

The new exhibit will coincide with the installation of a statue of Jimmy Buffett just outside the museum.

New renderings

History Scaled 1 — Rendering of the history portion of the exhibit (National Maritime Museum)

Not just the performer, but the poet, entrepreneur, adventurer and cultural architect. This isn’t a museum exhibit. It’s a living tribute to the man who taught the world how to chase the sun and find joy in the journey.
National Maritime Museum of the Gulf