BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A piece of the famed Capt. Kidd shipwreck is in Indiana in what researchers hope will be an eye-opening event for Hoosiers.

The first pirate's cannon recovered in the Caribbean is in an underwater science lab at Indiana University, under the watchful eye of archaeologist Charles Beeker, researchers and students, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

The cannon once rested in 10 feet of water off Catalina Island in the Dominican Republic, along with wood remnants and other 300-year-old artifacts from a ship historians believe was commandeered by Kidd.

"It's international intrigue today, just like it was in the 17th century," Beeker said.

IU's Underwater Science and Educational Resources Lab is studying the artifacts.

"It's very cool for me to be able to see the archaeological side and learn so much about cannons," said Robin Green, a graduate student.

Because of a conservation process, the cannon must remain underwater at IU, at least for the next few years, after which it will go to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

"When that process is completed, we'll be able to display that at the children's museum," said Jeffrey Patchen, CEO of the museum, which is working in partnership with IU on the project.

The cannon will eventually become part of an underwater archaeology exhibit at the museum, but it's not clear when that exhibit would open, though a "big announcement" is set for March.

Beeker said 25 other cannons from the Kidd shipwreck are still off the coast of Catalina Island and that IU will work with the Dominican Republic to open an underwater museum at the shipwreck site in May 2011.