1 100 145 https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/8bacd3b0e33ed344e16b5364e607a078.JPG 58701a0222cccd9ddd3d24e18956fb45 https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/48270095886e43338c2661d9dad3372b.JPG 8de584644f86ee4b33564183fdf108c2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title "Newton Perry Has Enviable Record" Alternative Title Newspaper Clipping about Perry Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Swimming--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Clipping of newspaper article "Newton Perry Has Enviable Record" published in the Atlantic Coast Line News about Newton "Newt" Perry's athletic, educational, and professional accomplishments, in September 1929. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original clipping of a newspaper article about Newton "Newt" Perry, September 1929: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original clipping of a newspaper article about Newton "Newt" Perry, September 1929. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Ocala, Florida Creator Atlantic Coast Line news Publisher Atlantic Coast Line News <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1929-09 Date Issued 1929-09 Date Copyrighted 1929-09 Format image/jpeg Extent 3.20 MB 4.50 MB Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by the Atlantic Coast Line News newspaper, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Atlantic Coast Line News and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Atlantic Coast Line News Delee Perry Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/1298e39e9302dbcff42f94e1d4f6cdd1.JPG 058084f889daafb5116554df9f2b418f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Newton "Newt" Perry Underwater With Female Swimmer and Air Station Postcard Alternative Title Perry and Swimmer Postcard Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater cinematography--Equipment and supplies Description Original printed postcard showing an image of Newton "Newt" Perry underwater with a female swimmer some time between 1950 and 1970. Perry is partially seated inside a glass air supply tank. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original printed postcard with image of Newton "Newt" Perry underwater, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original printed postcard with image of Newton "Newt" Perry underwater, ca. 1950-1970. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Unidentified postcard publisher Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1970 Date Issued ca. 1950-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 2.65 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Postcards Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/7d542beb16353eeed0bd7aa46e7d6014.JPG 72d50d36b553cf3bd1f060ceadc045d2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Man with Advertising Posters Alternative Title Man with Posters Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of a man standing in front of advertising posters on the exterior of a building some time between 1920 and 1930. One poster is for the film "Captain Fly By Night," which was released in 1922. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of man with advertising posters, ca. 1920-1930: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of man with advertising posters, ca. 1920-1930. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1920-1930 Date Issued ca. 1920-1930 Date Copyrighted ca. 1920-1930 Format image/jpeg Extent 609 KB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. advertising Delee Perry Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks posters Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/ffafaf194f441c92387c9c28f34dbbff.JPG 4df081c4309fc9ba42be95c9f00eba74 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Football Players Alternative Title Two Football Players Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Football Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of two men wearing football equipment some time between 1920 and 1940. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of two football players, ca. 1920-1940: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of two football players, ca. 1920-1940. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1920-1940 Date Issued ca. 1920-1940 Date Copyrighted ca. 1920-1940 Format image/jpeg Extent 1.58 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry Florida tourism football mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/c39b6b4edc57a4831ed1fd5767bc8414.JPG fb70d3353c9ee518c5a13a9605cd9db7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Newton "Newt" Perry with Sea Turtle Alternative Title Perry with Sea Turtle Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Underwater photography Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry with a sea turtle some time between 1950 and 1970. Perry is embracing the turtle, which is resting on a floating platform. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry with sea turtle, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry with sea turtle, ca. 1950-1970. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1970 Date Issued ca. 1950-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 1.44 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism sea turtle swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/75388ec25a1a07aecaa84c5e8ad7ca2a.JPG 0d8d51b326ae13fac7eb0666de763fe6 https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/85bb5edd1d700c741373c21d780aeff1.JPG 5893686a45b7025bf6d7e70f853a8e36 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Perry Family Alternative Title Members of Perry Family Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Swimming--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of Perry family members in swimming costumes at Hampton Springs, Florida, in 1912. On the back of the photograph is a handwritten caption that partially reads "Kate Perry" and "Augusta Lee". Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Perry family members in swimming costumes, 1912: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Perry family members in swimming costumes, 1912. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Hampton Springs, Florida Creator Family of Newton Perry Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1912 Date Issued 1912 Date Copyrighted 1912 Format image/jpeg Extent 1.34 MB 1.59 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by the Perry family, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Augusta Lee Delee Perry Florida tourism Kate Perry mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/6bd2d65abdf2b79791816007a0dc1486.JPG f03f48ae6069f4a434f71c04d73b5bce Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Staged Underwater Footrace Scene Alternative Title Underwater Footrace Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Motion pictures--Production and direction Underwater photography Florida--In motion pictures Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of a staged underwater footrace scene some time between 1950 and 1970. Three men crouch in a starting position on the floor of a body of water as a fourth man prepares to shoot a starting pistol. One woman appears to yell through a megaphone, and a second woman is seated at the right of the scene. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of staged underwater footrace scene, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of staged underwater footrace scene, ca. 1950-1970. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1970 Date Issued ca. 1950-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 4.09 MB Mediator History Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism footrace mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/38f7c3f6c6d1e272aeb1a92df9c52234.JPG dbce454548866daf897569cdbabdbc06 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Underwater Filming Tank Alternative Title Filming Tank Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Motion pictures--Production and direction Underwater photography Florida--In motion pictures Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater cinematography--Equipment and supplies Description Photograph of four men preparing to enter an underwater filming tank. Two of the men hold cameras. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of underwater filming tank, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of underwater filming tank, ca. 1950-1970. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1970 Date Issued ca. 1950-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 1.77 MB Mediator History Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/f968584774177d8e3b42381c065f2361.JPG c57cc5febe17380c233b71c8a26c704f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Staged Underwater Dining Scene Alternative Title Underwater Dining Scene Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Motion pictures--Production and direction Underwater photography Florida--In motion pictures Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of a staged scene of two men and two women dining underwater, seated at a table and chairs some time between 1950 and 1970. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of staged scene of two men and two women dining underwater, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of staged scene of two men and two women dining underwater, ca. 1950-1970. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1970 Date Issued ca. 1950-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 5.84 MB Mediator History Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/e3de1e8ee3ba577f6fef19ec578b2e98.JPG 5a5b676b0c7ee20969785e99de896555 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Newton "Newt" Perry Diving from Platform Alternative Title Newton "Newt" Perry Diving Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Diving Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry diving off a diving platform some time between 1950 and 1970. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry diving from platform, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry diving from platform, ca. 1950-1970. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1970 Date Issued ca. 1950-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 8.41 MB Mediator History Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/805224ca0f692e423fdcd596d8b99ab1.JPG 988010b67cb3e036771026b357c7b97c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Underwater Air Station Alternative Title Three Swimmers at an Underwater Air Station Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Underwater photography Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater cinematography--Equipment and supplies Description Photograph of one man and two women free diving underwater. An air supply tank labeled "Air Station No. 3 - 24 Ft" rests on the floor. The photograph was taken some time between 1950 and 1970 Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of underwater air station, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of underwater air station, ca. 1950-1970. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1970 Date Issued ca. 1950-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 8.89 MB Mediator History Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Air station Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/467eaa86d8d57a1c0355903e52bad9de.JPG 6778ca1a35a7e6528cb84788d2ba9409 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Newton "Newt" Perry, Johnny Sheffield, and Johnny Weissmuller Alternative Title Perry, Sheffield, and Weissmuller Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Motion pictures--Production and direction Florida--In motion pictures Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry, Johnny Sheffield, and Johnny Weissmuller during filming of "Tarzan Finds a Son" at Silver Springs in 1938. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry, Johnny Sheffield, and Johnny Weissmuller during filming of "Tarzan Finds a Son," 1938: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry, Johnny Sheffield, and Johnny Weissmuller during filming of "Tarzan Finds a Son," 1938. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1938 Date Issued 1938 Date Copyrighted 1938 Format image/jpeg Extent 17.8 MB Mediator History Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism Johnny Sheffield Johnny Weissmuller mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism Silver Springs swimming Tarzan Finds a Son tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/a330a623eed21127776930477153611c.JPG 119ffe1ededc1f0fb8b839e096d96f05 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Newton "Newt" Perry and Woman Dancing Underwater Alternative Title Perry and Woman Dancing Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Underwater photography Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry and a woman dancing underwater, as a second woman looks on and claps while seated at a table some time between 1950 and 1970. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry and a woman dancing underwater, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry and a woman dancing underwater, ca. 1950-1970. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1970 Date Issued ca. 1950-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 2.38 MB Mediator History Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/f3cebb6ead00be8ceb6319ddbde72d2c.JPG c676b6be5e772004600baf06bf8ec914 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Newton "Newt" Perry Bartending Underwater Alternative Title Perry Bartending Underwater Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Motion pictures--Production and direction Underwater photography Florida--In motion pictures Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry dressed as a bartender, standing at a bar underwater, and shaking a cocktail shaker some time between 1950 and 1970. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry bartending underwater, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry bartending underwater, ca. 1950-1970. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1970 Date Issued ca. 1950-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 4.67 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/62df2f601b265e796256b20d06ac010c.JPG bed3a29e707cac4ca0558d92f5a9179b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Newton "Newt" Perry Repairing Underwater Film Set Alternative Title Perry Repairing Underwater Film Set Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Motion pictures--Production and direction Underwater photography Florida--In motion pictures Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry and man repairing an underwater film set some time between 1950 and 1970. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry and man repairing an underwater film set, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry and man repairing an underwater film set, ca. 1950-1970. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1970 Date Issued ca. 1950-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 4.86 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/442c8f30ebc545b50162a8a9e4abcf78.JPG 1219a78095e1fd1752bd7aaa926dee5c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Staged Underwater Dining Scene Alternative Title Underwater Dining Scene Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Motion pictures--Production and direction Underwater photography Florida--In motion pictures Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of a man and two women seated at a table on the floor of a body of water some time between 1950 and 1970. A standing man wearing a diving helmet appears to direct the scene participants. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of staged underwater dining scene, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph, ca. 1950-1970. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1970 Date Issued ca. 1950-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 5.06 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/8948d62f11342e5b5bdaa63f9744b3ca.JPG e07e8f6435cbf13dbf677b201c3bc669 https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/9243dc3456a207b4a70c5c0dc25e0c77.JPG 875fcef2277ed812cbbeab5b4468f6a0 https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/6a9b0720b02cd9a9884f3e4cd18fcff5.JPG 4c13b4b904ca8a969493bd28ee3802f7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title "At Weekiwachee Springs It's All Done Under..." Alternative Title At Weekiwachee Springs It's All Done Under… Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Newspaper article entitled "At Weekiwachee Springs It's All Done Under..," describing the mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, published in the Independent, St. Petersburg, Florida, on November 21, 1947. The article was written by John A. Reese, Jr. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original clipping of newspaper article, November 21, 1947: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original newspaper article, November 21, 1947. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Reese, John A., Jr., The Independent, St. Petersburg, Florida Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1947-11-21 Date Issued 1947-11-21 Date Copyrighted 1947-11-21 Format image/jpeg Extent 16.0 MB 14.4 MB 10.2 MB Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created and published by The Independent. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by The Independent, St. Petersburg, Florida, and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism John A. Reese, Jr. mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism St. Petersburg swimming The Independent tourist attractions underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/034ce0aba8f9efb0d53937ae8b4264fa.JPG 9eeee41c99eabe84f152c271d1d5e62a https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/74eeeb7f3f5e6dbba5df9aa65075abd7.JPG c6e52c172a2706bc6ec858e4b447d507 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title "Weekiwachee Springs Maids Make Difficult Underwater Feats and Ballet Look Simple" Alternative Title Weekiwachee Springs Maids Make Difficult Underwater Feats and Ballet Look Simple Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Newspaper article entitled "Weekiwachee Springs Maids Make Difficult Underwater Feats and Ballet Look Simple," describing the mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, published in the Orlando Evening Star on August 11, 1950. The article was written by Sally Hobbs. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original clipping of a newspaper article about Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, August 11, 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original clipping of a newspaper article about Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, August 11, 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Hobbs, Sally Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1950-08-11 Date Issued 1950-08-11 Date Copyrighted 1950-08-11 Format image/jpeg Extent 10.6 MB 11.7 MB Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created and published by the Orlando Evening Star. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by The Orlando Evening Star and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry Orlando Evening Star parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism Sally Hobbs swimming tourist attractions underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/11712aaf7d8a1e07ac390dad7241c500.JPG 081925ce7d26309c97d0298d08b2ea53 https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/ee58502f80fc64fbf27c11e935c65a3b.JPG 5acbe6e1a110427a13be084889c43b3c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title "Merman Perry" Alternative Title Merman Perry Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Newspaper article entitled "Merman Perry" about Newton "Newt" Perry published in unidentified newspaper in 1983. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original clipping of a newspaper article about Newton "Newt" Perry, ca. 1983: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original clipping of a newspaper article about Newton "Newt" Perry, ca. 1983. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Watson, Becky Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1983 Date Issued ca. 1983 Date Copyrighted ca. 1983 Format image/jpeg Extent 16.2 MB 8.58 MB Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by an unidentified newspaper, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by an unidentified newspaper and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Becky Watson Delee Perry Ed Darlington Florida tourism Hattie Carver mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/9a2219266a791d0831dc6e3140f5d41e.JPG e5679f38463bab79f4c7177699000b1d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Reunion Event Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Reunion Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Group photograph of participants at a Weeki Wachee mermaid reunion event from May 13 to 15, 1983. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaid Reunion event, May 13-15, 1983: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaid Reunion event, May 13-15, 1983. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1983-05-13 to 1983-05-15 Date Issued 1983-05-13 to 1983-05-15 Date Copyrighted 1983-05-13 to 1983-05-15 Format image/jpeg Extent 7.28 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/2f77ad88226929f125985ca6fe456863.JPG 0ec477033a4d78f657aca7f6db7c96a7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title "Perry 'Choked Up' At Dedication" Alternative Title Perry 'Choked Up' At Dedication Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Underwater photography Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Swimming--Florida Description Newspaper article entitled "Perry 'Choked Up' at Dedication" describing a ceremony dedicating a new swimming pool at Central Florida Community College to Newton "Newt" Perry some time between 1970-1987. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original clipping of a newspaper article about Newton "Newt" Perry, ca. 1970-1987: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original clipping of newspaper article about Newton "Newt" Perry, ca. 1970-1987. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Central Florida Community College, Ocala, Florida Creator Devore, Frances Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1970-1987 Date Issued ca. 1970-1987 Date Copyrighted ca. 1970-1987 Format image/jpeg Extent 7.87 MB Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by an unidentified newspaper, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by an unidentified newspaper and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Central Florida Community College Delee Perry diving Florida tourism Frances Devore mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming swimming pools tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/3e0944c1b30f88f3c0746ed29036a8f2.JPG e320c6bfeb157078657097e1a6d08019 https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/34c04ff2102d2e801342898b5768c6b5.JPG aaa2ba06821a1b16ee36cd82b55d32c5 https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/6db91b2d9bba58854ca890609543607c.JPG 2626d530fc3d32d878c222dc7f16fdfe https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/2f86ffe1153415b0e06d09d3350ed3d9.JPG fde2039f13136232e12c709f86942828 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title "The Human Fish" Alternative Title The Human Fish Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Motion pictures--Production and direction Underwater photography Florida--In motion pictures Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Swimming--Florida Description Newspaper article entitled "The Human Fish" about Newton "Newt" Perry published in Grit, on April 19, 1964. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original clipping of newspaper article about Newton "Newt" Perry, April 19, 1964: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original clipping of newspaper article about Newton "Newt" Perry, April 19, 1964. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Ocala, Florida Creator Grit newspaper Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1964-04-19 Date Issued 1964-04-19 Date Copyrighted 1964-04-19 Format image/jpeg Extent 13.1 MB 13.6 MB 10.1 MB 2.66 MB Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Grit newspaper, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Grit newspaper and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism Grit mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming The Human Fish tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/7e55eecc14ddd40e182eb669f5e03e56.JPG 7859bc00fb808bb52c31d0182379cb20 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Man and Mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs Alternative Title Man and Mermaid Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater photography Description Photograph of a man wearing diving goggles and fins handing an air hose to a Weeki Wachee Mermaid in a swimsuit and fins who is posing underwater around 1950. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950 Date Issued ca. 1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 5.94 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/a4f15d3840b2ef0c071a73367b71ed05.JPG 512cf7abdd75aacb544be53d84a9c7cf Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Newt Perry's Aquatic Theater Alternative Title "Newt Perry's Aquatic Theater" Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater photography Description Photograph of "Newt Perry's Aquatic Theater," showing Newton "Newt" Perry standing on a stage and speaking into a microphone, flanked on each side by two women in swimsuits somewhere between 1950 and 1960. A large glass tank stands behind the group. After Perry left Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in 1950, he established a traveling mermaid show called "Newt Perry's Aquatic Theater." Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry's Aquatic theater, ca. 1950-1960: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry's Aquatic theater, ca. 1950-1960. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1960 Date Issued ca. 1950-1960 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1960 Format image/jpeg Extent 2.53 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glass Bottom Boats &amp</a> Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/c6424bd5b2d9b1a7f107643712db0216.JPG 848911003f37fe6dfc0814e53ccecd96 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaids Reunion Event Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Mermaids Cutting Cake Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of a Weeki Wachee Mermaids reunion event somewhere between 1950 and 1955. Newton "Newt" Perry looks on as two mermaids cut a cake with the messages "Welcome Mermaids" and "5th Annual Reunion" written on it in icing. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaids Reunion event, ca. 1950-1955: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaids Reunion event, ca. 1950-1955. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1955 Date Issued ca. 1950-1955 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1955 Format image/jpeg Extent 2.73 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/19c1befc9170f1f0dd76ed163c18f2ef.JPG 7957dd38dda3fa564e136a0a2dddf5f2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Ann Blyth and Newton "Newt" Perry on the Underwater Set of "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Alternative Title Blyth and Perry on Film Set Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Motion pictures--Production and direction Underwater photography Florida--In motion pictures Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of Ann Blyth (left) and Newton Perry (right) on the underwater set used in the film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid," which was built for filming at Weeki Wachee State Park in 1948. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Ann Blyth and Newton "Newt" Perry with underwater film set at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, 1948: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Ann Blyth and Newton "Newt" Perry with underwater film set at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, 1948. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1948 Date Issued 1948 Date Copyrighted 1948 Format image/jpeg Extent 2.72 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Ann Blyth Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/dfff4480f5ac7aeb2fc056359296a42d.JPG 6e3feac3dcfa5d001d53d80ad6e109ce Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Newton "Newt" Perry Dressed as Santa Claus with Mary Darlington Alternative Title Darlington and Perry Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Christmas Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater photography Description Photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry dressed as Santa Claus with a Weeki Wachee Mermaid named Mary Darlington around 1950. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry dressed as Santa Claus with Mary Darlington, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry dressed as Santa Claus with Weeki Wachee Mermaid, ca. 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950 Date Issued ca. 1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 2.68 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Christmas Delee Perry diving Florida tourism Mary Darlington mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism Santa Claus swimming tourist attractions underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/83ab008f69061eefcfc357a9542eede5.JPG 3f1deeb0c80525fc21ad920f0adf0b5d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Newton "Newt" Perry Dressed as Santa Claus Decorating an Underwater Christmas Tree Alternative Title Perry and Christmas Tree Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Christmas Trees Christmas Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater photography Description Photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry dressed as Santa Claus decorating an underwater Christmas tree at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park around 1950. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry dressed as Santa Claus decorating an underwater Christmas tree, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry dressed as Santa Claus decorating an underwater Christmas tree, ca. 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950 Date Issued ca. 1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 2.70 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Christmas Christmas trees Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism Santa Claus swimming tourist attractions underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/d0bccde53fe03b3e71edbd5b6b80123b.JPG 77c7805d0880181bd92544d3babbeeff Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaids Posing in a Circle on the Shore Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Mermaids Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaids posing in a circle on the shore at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park around 1950. The mermaids are wearing swimsuits rather than fins. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950 Date Issued ca. 1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 2.64 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/de0b35892e6c8ab4d9195b4eeb83b3d8.JPG 7e4a2ee04758f26ff5eb2c6383a06396 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Nancy Tribble as a Weeki Wachee Mermaid Alternative Title Nancy Tribble Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater photography Description Photograph of Nancy Tribble taking a breath from an air hose while seated underwater in costume as a Weeki Wachee Mermaid around 1948. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaid, ca. 1948: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaid Nancy Tribble, ca. 1948. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1948 Date Issued ca. 1948 Date Copyrighted ca. 1948 Format image/jpeg Extent 2.57 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. "Underwater Theater." Ithaca Journal. October 5, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids Nancy Tribble natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/858603d0d74cb8be57a43e80309ad121.JPG 36bd623f4a02e688f253cfc45370c97b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Staged Underwater Dining Scene Alternative Title Underwater Dining Scene Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater photography Motion pictures--Production and direction Florida--In motion pictures Description Photograph of a staged scene of four men eating watermelon underwater while seated around a table somewhere between 1950 and 1970. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of staged underwater dining scene, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of staged underwater dining scene, ca. 1950-1970. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1970 Date Issued ca. 1950-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 4.13 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/ca84deaa32601c834215be00d318c48d.JPG 4f016b6952a19929824ab5415c679b3c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Entering Water Tank Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of an unidentified Weeki Wachee mermaid standing on a ladder in preparation to enter a water tank around 1950. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of a mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of a mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950 Date Issued ca. 1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 3.99 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/15767d0b7db041f1e3f31d35d277f33b.JPG 2a795411a5205faa9de62bb8d4d360d0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Three Mermaids Posing on the Beach at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Alternative Title Mermaids on the Beach Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of three mermaids posing on the beach at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park around 1950. The exterior of the underwater theater is visible in the background. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950 Date Issued ca. 1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 4.33 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/729d7503f1f2abf6ef4f464908dbd559.JPG ef18f17d41fd3ec545d2ac6e90b23a3b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaids in Staged Underwater Dining Scene Alternative Title Mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater photography Description Photograph of three Weeki Wachee Mermaids in staged underwater dining scene at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park around 1950. The mermaids are eating watermelon and breathing using air hoses while sitting at a table placed on the bottom of a body of water. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaids in staged underwater dining scene at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in staged underwater dining scene, ca. 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950 Date Issued ca. 1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 4.72 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/49cfce87e2d4ae3990481ffa65c818f2.jpg 802a317a1ee7be9039604e480e4f6778 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Exterior of the Underwater Theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Alternative Title Underwater Theater Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Exterior photograph of the underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park around 1950. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of the underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of the underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950 Date Issued ca. 1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 4.72 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/335716abc867b596c2a1776429db56c6.jpg bbe9db6685616906b9066eb44b9bf3ab Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Newton "Newt" Perry in Underwater Theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Alternative Title Netwon Perry in Underwater Theater Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater photography Description Photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry with three men in an underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park around 1950. One of the men is holding a movie camera. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry in underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Newton "Newt" Perry in underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950 Date Issued ca. 1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 5.49 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/89097f41fba00d1763efadaed2400ed2.JPG 6af69a41c8089cebc6da53e3bfe8c3be https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/bca975f2485efb35bc07132685f235f8.JPG 87b7d39b56581534c832d43b8516af34 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weekiwachee's Underwater Ballet Alternative Title Weeki Wachee's Underwater Ballet Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater photography Description Clipping of newspaper article about Weeki Wachee Springs State Park published in an unidentified newspaper around 1950. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original clipping of newspaper article, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original clipping of newspaper article, ca. 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Wing, Ash Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950 Date Issued ca. 1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 13.45 MB 10.48 MB Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by an unidentified newspaper, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by an unidentified newspaper and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Ash Wing Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/9aae2a54de55333bb849e2f98f9e4052.jpg 1db0cda4b6dc0c597c2e3fa6dd844f1b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Mermaids Performing at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of mermaids performing at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park around 1950. The three mermaids sit on boards in the water. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of mermaids performing at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of mermaids performing at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950 Date Issued ca. 1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 9.08 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/10042cc125794b1005eeb9c1b00b124a.jpg c502d0a3a3134b3ab56950cc8023bce8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Visitors to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Underwater Theater Alternative Title Visitors to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater photography Description Photograph of visitors to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in underwater theater around 1950. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of visitors to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of visitors to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950 Date Issued ca. 1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 3.12 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/b928b526594fee2f736a131ad1635477.jpg 069ca22e10514e161b4eea4e94f13e9e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Visitors to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Alternative Title Visitors to Weeki Wachee Springs Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Photograph of a line of visitors to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park outside the underwater theater around 1950. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of visitors to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of visitors to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, ca. 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950 Date Issued ca. 1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 3.34 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/80e6c467fe755ed50287b30a2706f71e.jpg d5e92c27324734006c73fd9b4c33c366 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Fish Swimming in Front of an Underwater Filming Tank Alternative Title Underwater Filming Tank Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Motion pictures--Production and direction Underwater photography Florida--In motion pictures Underwater cinematography--Equipment and supplies Description Photograph of a fish swimming in front of an underwater filming tank created by Newton "Newt" Perry between 1950 and 1970. This photograph may be either from Weeki Wachee Springs State Park or from Newton "Newt" Perry's career as an underwater filmmaker. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of underwater filming tank, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of underwater filming tank, ca. 1950-1970. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1970 Date Issued ca. 1950-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 1.25 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/00a72a0727466ac6d830e8d35919db80.jpg 1132fdf87fce9c5b6e02dc7c54b98890 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Underwater Filming Tank Designed by Newton "Newt" Perry Alternative Title Underwater Filming Tank Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Motion pictures--Production and direction Underwater photography Florida--In motion pictures Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater cinematography--Equipment and supplies Description Photograph of an underwater filming tank created by Newton "Newt" Perry between 1950 and 1970. This photograph may be either from Weeki Wachee Springs State Park or from Newton "Newt" Perry's career as an underwater filmmaker. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of underwater filming tank, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of underwater filming tank, ca. 1950-1970. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1970 Date Issued ca. 1950-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 1.68 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater filmmaking underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/87baec3149db251d9711e4ee780dee1b.jpg b68c263cfdc4cb30493fa703bb024754 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Mermaid Underwater with Air Hose Alternative Title Mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Underwater photography Description Underwater photograph of a mermaid wearing goggles and holding an air hose at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, around 1950. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original photograph of Weeki Wachee mermaid underwater, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Weeki Wachee mermaid underwater, ca. 1950. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Perry, Newton Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950 Date Issued ca. 1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 1.12 MB Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator Kephart, Anna Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Florida Department of State. Division of Historical Resources. "<a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/national-register/national-preservation-month-2020/weeki-wachee-springs/. Accessed May 15, 2020. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida State Parks. "<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History of Weeki Wachee</a>." https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/history-weeki-wachee. Accessed May 15, 2020. Rizzo, Marian. "<a href="https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." Ocala Star Banner. August 14, 2013. https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20130814/News/604145183/OS. Accessed May 15, 2020. Schwandt, Rebecca. "<a href="https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189. Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." Kansas City Star. March 7, 1948. Delee Perry diving Florida tourism mermaids natural springs Newton "Newt" Perry parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism swimming tourist attractions underwater photography Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/6fe286e5bf398890c4bb3735e820d41a.JPG 78cb2897f78bb46d2b219bc97f5366e2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May (February 23, 1957) Alternative Title Letter from Colson to May (February 23, 1957) Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Entomology Description A letter from the manager of the May Museum of the Tropics, Myrtle Colson, to the owner of the museum, John M. May, dated February 23, 1957. Colson expresses her belief that the upcoming tourist season would be one of the best yet, for both Weeki Wachee Springs and for the museum. She provides May with an anecdote of the Springs manager, Joe Seltzer, having to help sell tickets because there were so many people at the Springs, and that on the same day, the museum sold 168 tickets. As John May lived in Colorado and the May Museum of the Tropics was located in Florida, communication between employer, employees, and other staff at Weeki Wachee Springs was limited predominantly to letters of correspondence. The May Natural History Museum of the Tropics is a non-profit organization that displays the world’s largest private insect collection. James May acquired the thousands of insects and arthropods that make up the collection from the late 1800s until his death in 1956. John May continued his father’s legacy, building a museum in Weeki Wachee, Florida, that lasted from 1954-1964, and a museum in Colorado that opened in the 1950s and is still open today. John May also took parts of the collection across the United States and Canada to display at fairs and exhibitions. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original 1-page typed letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May, February 23, 1957: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES. Coverage May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Colson, Myrtle Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> Date Created 1957-02-23 Format image/jpg Extent 4.69 MB Medium 1-page typed letter Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Provenance Originally created by Myrtle Colson and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator O'Neil, Rhiannon Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> External Reference Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</a>. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. "<a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, 1998, 238-259. Accessed November 9, 2018. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glass Bottom Boats &amp</a> Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. . Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Florida tourism John M. May May Museum of the Tropics museums Myrtle Colson natural springs parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/b26e74c59bd1398a7f89a0e7c0f5c77f.JPG 5e35e0a75cee2b152155fe215b881cbd Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Letter from John M. May to Joe D. Seltzer (July 7, 1959) Alternative Title Letter from May to Seltzer (July 7, 1959) Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Entomology Description A letter from the owner of the May Museum of the Tropics, John M. May, to the manager of Weeki Wachee Springs, Joe D. Seltzer. In the letter, May tentatively agrees to Seltzer's plan to create another walkway to the museum, but expresses hesitation as he would not be able to be at the Springs until later that year to help move his large-scale beetle replica out of the way. As John May lived in Colorado and the May Museum of the Tropics was located in Florida, communication between employer, employees, and other staff at Weeki Wachee Springs was limited predominantly to letters of correspondence. The May Natural History Museum of the Tropics is a non-profit organization that displays the world’s largest private insect collection. James May acquired the thousands of insects and arthropods that make up the collection from the late 1800s until his death in 1956. John May continued his father’s legacy, building a museum in Weeki Wachee, Florida, that lasted from 1954-1964, and a museum in Colorado that opened in the 1950s and is still open today. John May also took parts of the collection across the United States and Canada to display at fairs and exhibitions. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original 1-page typed letter from John M. May to Joe D. Seltzer, July 7, 1959: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a>, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES. Coverage May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator May, John M. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> Date Created 1959-07-07 Format image/jpg Extent 3.92 MB Medium 1-page typed letter Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Provenance Originally created by John M. May and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator O'Neil, Rhiannon Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> External Reference Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</a>. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. "<a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, 1998, 238-259. Accessed November 9, 2018. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glass Bottom Boats &amp</a> Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. . Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Florida tourism Joe D. Seltzer John M. May May Museum of the Tropics museums natural springs parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/91cf54fea2385c717cdf1ffd91156d1b.JPG 399c6042effec7a6db97d8c2e6c24bd7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Letter from Joe D. Seltzer to John M. May (June 17, 1959) Alternative Title Letter from Seltzer to May (June 17, 1959) Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Entomology Description A letter from the manager of Weeki Wachee Springs, Joe D. Seltzer, to the owner of the May Museum of the Tropics, John M. May, dated June 17, 1959. In the letter, Seltzer expresses his and his company's wish to build a new walkway and parking lot that would help attract more business to both the Springs and the museum. To accomplish the expansion, May's large-scale replica of a Hercules beetle, named Hercimer, needed to be moved. As John May lived in Colorado and the May Museum of the Tropics was located in Florida, communication between employer, employees, and other staff at Weeki Wachee Springs was limited predominantly to letters of correspondence. The May Natural History Museum of the Tropics is a non-profit organization that displays the world’s largest private insect collection. James May acquired the thousands of insects and arthropods that make up the collection from the late 1800s until his death in 1956. John May continued his father’s legacy, building a museum in Weeki Wachee, Florida, that lasted from 1954-1964, and a museum in Colorado that opened in the 1950s and is still open today. John May also took parts of the collection across the United States and Canada to display at fairs and exhibitions. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original 1-page typed letter from Joe D. Seltzer to John M. May, June 17, 1959: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a>, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES. Coverage May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Seltzer, Joe D. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> Date Created 1959-06-17 Format image/jpg Extent 7.55 MB Medium 1-page typed letter Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Provenance Originally created by Joe D. Seltzer and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator O'Neil, Rhiannon Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> External Reference Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</a>. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. "<a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, 1998, 238-259. Accessed November 9, 2018. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glass Bottom Boats &amp</a> Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. . Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Florida tourism Joe D. Seltzer John M. May May Museum of the Tropics museums natural springs parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/0937be08696efa72fa3ec92b5a6abe9d.JPG 268436c760ec89e7014d6bd08963ac24 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Letter from John M. May to John T. Creighton (November 20, 1963) Alternative Title Letter from May to Creighton (November 20, 1963) Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Entomology Description A letter from the owner of the May Museum of the Tropics, John M. May, to University of Florida entomology professor John T. Creighton, dated November 20, 1963. May extended a warm invitation to Creighton and his colleagues to visit the May Museum, but expressed urgency as he believed that the museum would be closing soon due to pressure from the owners of Weeki Wachee Springs. The May Natural History Museum of the Tropics is a non-profit organization that displays the world’s largest private insect collection. James May acquired the thousands of insects and arthropods that make up the collection from the late 1800s until his death in 1956. John May continued his father’s legacy, building a museum in Weeki Wachee, Florida, that lasted from 1954-1964, and a museum in Colorado that opened in the 1950s and is still open today. John May also took parts of the collection across the United States and Canada to display at fairs and exhibitions. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original 1-page typed letter from John M. May to John T. Creighton, November 20, 1963: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a>, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES. Coverage May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator May, John M. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> Date Created 1963-11-20 Format image/jpg Extent 2.59 MB Medium 1-page typed letter Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Provenance Originally created by John M. May and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator O'Neil, Rhiannon Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> External Reference Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</a>. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. "<a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, 1998, 238-259. Accessed November 9, 2018. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glass Bottom Boats &amp</a> Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. . Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Florida tourism John M. May John T. Creighton May Museum of the Tropics museums natural springs parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/9ba4c7ca6e86869ee86638ee8bf22fdf.JPG de6de91f2bebd1d2c3159bf2f615e8c9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Letter from John M. May to Myrtle Colson (May 7, 1959) Alternative Title Letter from Colson to May (May 7, 1959) Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Entomology Description A letter from the owner of the May Museum of the Tropics, John M. May, to the manager of the museum, Myrtle Colson, dated May 7, 1959. In the letter, May apologizes to Colson for not informing her sooner about how to handle counting groups of children who were admitted to the museum on special prices. May kept up various lines of communication with both his museum and the staff of the Weeki Wachee Springs, where the museum was located, and likely found it difficult at times to remember who knew what pieces of information. As John May lived in Colorado and the May Museum of the Tropics was located in Florida, communication between employer, employees, and other staff at Weeki Wachee Springs was limited predominantly to letters of correspondence. The May Natural History Museum of the Tropics is a non-profit organization that displays the world’s largest private insect collection. James May acquired the thousands of insects and arthropods that make up the collection from the late 1800s until his death in 1956. John May continued his father’s legacy, building a museum in Weeki Wachee, Florida, that lasted from 1954-1964, and a museum in Colorado that opened in the 1950s and is still open today. John May also took parts of the collection across the United States and Canada to display at fairs and exhibitions. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original 1-page typed letter from John M. May to Myrtle Colson, May 7, 1959: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a>, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES. Coverage May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator May, John M. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> Date Created 1959-05-07 Format image/jpg Extent 4.53 MB Medium 1-page typed letter Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Provenance Originally created by John M. May and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator O'Neil, Rhiannon Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> External Reference Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</a>. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. "<a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, 1998, 238-259. Accessed November 9, 2018. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glass Bottom Boats &amp</a> Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. . Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Florida tourism John M. May May Museum of the Tropics museums Myrtle Colson natural springs parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/e3ffb26f67b0fe4b5a5107ff9471f6fc.JPG c06856213a235cdf3f0bf5c4d90a35f8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Letter from Charles P. Kimball to John M. May (June 7, 1957) Alternative Title Letter from Kimball to May (June 7, 1957) Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Entomology Description A letter from entomologist Charles P. Kimball to the owner of the May Museum of the Tropics, John M. May, dated June 7, 1957. In the letter, Kimball details an insect trap design that utilizes thin plastic instead of glass, to allow more sunlight into the trap, and to better prevent the insects escaping. As Kimball was an entomologist like May, the letter also expresses that May's father's collection was being taken care of. The May Natural History Museum of the Tropics is a non-profit organization that displays the world’s largest private insect collection. James May acquired the thousands of insects and arthropods that make up the collection from the late 1800s until his death in 1956. John May continued his father’s legacy, building a museum in Weeki Wachee, Florida, that lasted from 1954-1964, and a museum in Colorado that opened in the 1950s and is still open today. John May also took parts of the collection across the United States and Canada to display at fairs and exhibitions. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original 1-page typed letter from Charles P. Kimball to John M. May, June 7, 1957: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a>, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES. Coverage May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Kimball, Charles P. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> Date Created 1957-06-07 Format image/jpg Extent 3.24 MB Medium 1-page typed letter Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Provenance Originally created by Charles P. Kimball and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator O'Neil, Rhiannon Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> External Reference Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</a>. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. "<a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, 1998, 238-259. Accessed November 9, 2018. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glass Bottom Boats &amp</a> Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. . Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Charles P. Kimball Florida tourism John M. May May Museum of the Tropics museums natural springs parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/73b86095b9922d1b9d8d348573e5c5c7.JPG a2ddc1d1073aeb7fd619ac9d57af0cc3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Springs Memo (February 21, 1963) Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Memo (February 21, 1963) Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Entomology Description A memo from Weeki Wachee Springs State Park manager T.P. Brinzo, circulated to all departments, dated February 21, 1963. The memo informed the entirety of the Springs that new equipment had been acquired for the underwater mermaid shows to help prevent drownings. Per the memo, all departments were to set up regular drills to prepare for a drowning scenario. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original 1-page typed memo, February 23, 1963: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>, Weeki Wachee, Florida. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Brinzo, T.P. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> Date Created 1963-02-21 Format image/jpg Extent 3.94 MB Medium 1-page typed memo Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Provenance Originally created by T.P. Brinzo and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator O'Neil, Rhiannon Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> External Reference Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</a>. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. "<a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, 1998, 238-259. Accessed November 9, 2018. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glass Bottom Boats &amp</a> Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. . Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Florida tourism May Museum of the Tropics museums natural springs P.T. Brinzo parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/156f1617717c7cb9f4dd77886006e674.JPG 14e909574f7756f69a6eafe9d99711db Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Letter from John M. May to Myrtle Colson (January 14, 1959) Alternative Title Letter from May to Colson (January 14, 1959) Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Entomology Description A letter from the owner of the May Museum of the Tropics, John M. May, to the manager of the museum, Myrtle Colson, dated January 14, 1959. May expresses his hopes that Colson is feeling better, as she recently had the flu, and informs her that his government project seems to be moving ahead. He also informs Colson that he will send information plaques for the large-scale Hercules beetle replica outside the museum. As John May lived in Colorado and the May Museum of the Tropics was located in Florida, communication between employer, employees, and other staff at Weeki Wachee Springs was limited predominantly to letters of correspondence. The May Natural History Museum of the Tropics is a non-profit organization that displays the world’s largest private insect collection. James May acquired the thousands of insects and arthropods that make up the collection from the late 1800s until his death in 1956. John May continued his father’s legacy, building a museum in Weeki Wachee, Florida, that lasted from 1954-1964, and a museum in Colorado that opened in the 1950s and is still open today. John May also took parts of the collection across the United States and Canada to display at fairs and exhibitions. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original 1-page typed letter from John M. May to Myrtle Colson, January 14, 1959: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a>, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES. Coverage May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator May, John M. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> Date Created 1959-01-14 Format image/jpg Extent 4.13 MB Medium 1-page typed letter Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Provenance Originally created by John M. May and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator O'Neil, Rhiannon Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> External Reference Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</a>. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. "<a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, 1998, 238-259. Accessed November 9, 2018. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glass Bottom Boats &amp</a> Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. . Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Florida tourism John M. May May Museum of the Tropics museums Myrtle Colson natural springs parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/1307fac92bc3876be49923307313a69f.JPG 8668fbf88a0eb42b9f61bd857d5703e5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Letter from John M. May to the Employees of the May Museum of the Tropics (January 8, 1959) Alternative Title Letter from May to May Museum Employees (January 8, 1959) Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Entomology Description A letter from the owner of the May Museum of the Tropics, John M. May, to the employees of the museum, dated January 8, 1959. May asks his employees to water the plants around the outside of the museum to ensure they don't wilt or die, and hopes that they will send him regular updates of how the museum is faring. As John May lived in Colorado and the May Museum of the Tropics was located in Florida, communication between employer, employees, and other staff at Weeki Wachee Springs was limited predominantly to letters of correspondence. The May Natural History Museum of the Tropics is a non-profit organization that displays the world’s largest private insect collection. James May acquired the thousands of insects and arthropods that make up the collection from the late 1800s until his death in 1956. John May continued his father’s legacy, building a museum in Weeki Wachee, Florida, that lasted from 1954-1964, and a museum in Colorado that opened in the 1950s and is still open today. John May also took parts of the collection across the United States and Canada to display at fairs and exhibitions. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original 1-page typed letter from John M. May to the employees of the May Museum of the Tropics, January 8, 1959: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a>, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES. Coverage May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator May, John M. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> Date Created 1959-01-08 Format image/jpg Extent 4.19 MB Medium 1-page typed letter Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Provenance Originally created by John M. May and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator O'Neil, Rhiannon Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES MI</a> External Reference Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</a>. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. "<a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, 1998, 238-259. Accessed November 9, 2018. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glass Bottom Boats &amp</a> Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. . Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Florida tourism John M. May May Museum of the Tropics museums natural springs parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/4904df0bc1e25026f9f5f48661396083.JPG 66da91817d6f76cf7f9f79ec43dcec74 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May (March 1, 1959) Alternative Title Letter from Colson to May (March 1, 1959) Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Entomology Description A letter from the manager of the May Museum of the Tropics, Myrtle Colson, to the owner of the museum, John M. May, dated March 1, 1959. The letter celebrates the recent high number of visitors that the Museum had. Additionally, the letter informs May that the management of the Weeki Wachee Springs, where the museum was located, wanted a daily report of sales as well as weekly and monthly reports. As John May lived in Colorado and the May Museum of the Tropics was located in Florida, communication between employer, employees, and other staff at Weeki Wachee Springs was limited predominantly to letters of correspondence. The May Natural History Museum of the Tropics is a non-profit organization that displays the world’s largest private insect collection. James May acquired the thousands of insects and arthropods that make up the collection from the late 1800s until his death in 1956. John May continued his father’s legacy, building a museum in Weeki Wachee, Florida, that lasted from 1954-1964, and a museum in Colorado that opened in the 1950s and is still open today. John May also took parts of the collection across the United States and Canada to display at fairs and exhibitions. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Text Source Original 1-page typed letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May, March 1, 1959: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a>, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES. Coverage May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Creator Colson, Myrtle Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> Date Created 1959-03-01 Format image/jpg Extent 4.08 MB Medium 1-page typed letter Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Provenance Originally created by Myrtle Colson and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Curator O'Neil, Rhiannon Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">May Natural History Museum</a> External Reference Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</a>. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. "<a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, 1998, 238-259. Accessed November 9, 2018. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1504171?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glass Bottom Boats &amp</a> Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. . Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Florida tourism John M. May May Museum of the Tropics museums Myrtle Colson natural springs parks Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attractions Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/3ef7886f33dd6a1be1598bf33dca297c.jpg 3949fd42923884608456c78d14efdebe Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Newt Perry Announcing a Mermaid Show at Weeki Wachee Spring's Underwater Theater Alternative Title Newt Perry Announcing a Mermaid Show for 15 Guests in Weeki Wachee Spring's Underwater Theater Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Newt Perry announcing a mermaid show in the first underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs. There are 15 guests watching the performance, sitting on fruit crates. This image was taken sometime between 1948 and 1960. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Source Original photograph of underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created c. 1940s-1950s Date Copyrighted c. 1940s-1950s Date Issued c. 1940s-1950s Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of the interior of the underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Format image/jpg Extent 3.43 MB Type Still Image Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Accrual Method Donation Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by RICHES for educational purposes only. Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013 Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/4f1264c7718aed71792ed54a2dc36947.jpg 870ea38de5bb5c91931b7e106d113800 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Newt Perry and Weeki Wachee Mermaid Performing Show Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid in Ballet Pose with Newt Perry Posing Behind Her Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Newt Perry and a Weeki Wachee mermaid posing underwater, performing a show. The two are swimming near a prop that resembles a castle. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and White photograph of Newt Perry and Weeki Wachee Mermaid Source Original photograph of underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created c. 1940s-1950s Date Copyrighted c. 1940s-1950s Date Issued c. 1940s-1950s Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Newt Perry and a Weeki Wachee mermaid. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Format image/jpg Extent 4.84 MB Type Still Image Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Accrual Method Donation Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by RICHES for educational purposes only. Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013 Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/681f956b83e3b24bc79e51a6d777afe5.jpg 330ad95e68917895909dd102ebd5e74b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaids Sitting in a Circle Alternative Title 20 Weeki Wachee Mermaids Sitting in a Large Circle Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description 20 Weeki Wachee mermaids posing for a photograph by sitting in a large circle. The photograph was taken sometime in the 1950s. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Source Original photograph of underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created c. 1950s Date Copyrighted c. 1950s Date Issued c. 1950s Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Format image/jpg Extent 4.89 MB Type Still Image Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Accrual Method Donation Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011 Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/7988d3d9bf0c05bb5d407f596a12b3e2.jpg b9f5e691ea619a45a513c455395c6e15 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Posing Underwater in Costume Tail Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid Wearing Costume Tail Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Weeki Wachee Springs Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987, and it was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and White photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaid Creator Perry, Newton Source Original photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaid posing underwater: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created c. 1950s Date Copyrighted c. 1950s Date Issued c. 1950s Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph of Weeki Wachee mermaid. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Format image/jpg Extent 4.15 MB Type Still Image Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Accrual Method Donation Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/4ca8d332d006752a234a981c45cf4f9c.jpg 5e397bac5147c0be3f01c3216efda270 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaids Eating Watermelon Underwater Alternative Title Black and White Photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaids Eating Watermelon Underwater, c. 1950s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Mermaids--Florida Perry, Newton, 1908-1987 Description Three Weeki Wachee Mermaids eating watermelon underwater. Before the mermaids performed plays, their shows consisted of underwater ballet, a deep dive into the depths of the spring, and other stunts. A common stunt the mermaids performed was to eat and drink underwater. Most commonly the mermaids ate bananas and drank soda out of glass bottles. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter, Delee Perry, took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987. It was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Creator Perry, Newton Source Original photograph of mermaids eating underwater: Personal Collection of Delee Perry. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created c. 1950s Date Copyrighted c. 1950s Date Issued c. 1950s Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of original photograph of Weeki Wachee mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Format image/jpg Extent 5.12 MB Type Still Image Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Accrual Method Donation Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/f19ff8a773c9875340f4ef9077c70414.jpg f760836eab8b29bd3a75d528323e3213 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Springs Swimming Area, c. 1950s Alternative Title Black and White Photograph of Weeki Wachee Springs Swimming Area and Parking Lot Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Photograph albums--1940-1950 Tourism--1940-1960 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Description Early image of Weeki Wachee Springs swimming area and parking lot, taken sometime between 1948 and 1960. Newton "Newt" Perry was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1908, and moved with his family to Ocala, Florida in 1922. He was a member of the swimming and diving teams at the University of Florida. Perry earned the nickname "The Human Fish" for his performances of underwater stunts in advertising clips and film shorts, and acted as a swim double for actors in movies and TV shows, including Johnny Weissmuller as "Tarzan." Perry also advised filmmakers filming underwater scenes at Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, and Weeki Wachee Springs, and developed a system for breathing underwater using an air compressor and hose, which was used in the 1948 film "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" and during Weeki Wachee Springs' mermaid shows. Perry worked as a lifeguard, public school principal, coach, swimming and scuba diving instructor, and Ocala city pool manager. He opened Perry's Swim School in 1955, and taught more than 120,000 individuals to swim during his career. Perry was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Perry's daughter, Delee Perry took over Perry's Swim School following her father's death in 1987. It was still in operation as of 2020. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947, and used his experiences working at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs to develop the original concepts for its underwater theater and mermaid shows. Perry sold his stake in Weeki Wachee Springs in 1950. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and White Photograph of Weeki Wachee Springs Creator Perry, Newt Source Original black and white photograph of Weeki Wachee Springs, c 1940s-1950s: Delee Perry Collection. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created c. 1940s-1950s Date Copyrighted c. 1940s-1950s Date Issued c. 1940s-1950s Conforms To Weeki Wachee, Florida Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph: c. 1940s-1950s. Scanned by RICHES team. RICHES, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Format imgage/jpg Extent 1.16 MB Medium Black and White Photograph Type Still Image Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Accrual Method Donation Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Delee Perry and is provided here by RICHES for educational purposes only. Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of Delee Perry External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/8ffa08b461af7bf3df891beb4c673fe4.JPG 0fc357224874117d258e2f3611580228 https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/760ed133a9f1a5fdc893274315b4b6da.JPG 0bfc6b3a4624b920fd27381bbedfe734 https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/cb068ba20d2a9b41c8d8229c3c14eeb5.JPG 0fc357224874117d258e2f3611580228 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Springs Brochure, c. 1950s Alternative Title Trifold Brochure of Weeki Wachee Springs, printed in the 1950s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Photograph albums--1960-1970 tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Description Trifold brochure of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park highlighting the park's attractions in the 1950s, such as the May Museum of the Tropiscs. For a little over a decade, the May family of Colorado displayed some of their family's private collection of tropical bugs and animals in a museum on Weeki Wachee Springs property. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Color Trifold Brochure of Weeki Wachee Springs Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Source Original color trifold of Weeki Wachee Springs, c. 1950s: May Natural History Museum Collection. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950s Date Copyrighted ca. 1950s Date Issued ca. 1950s Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original trifold brochure of Weeki Wachee Springs. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Format image/jpg Extent 70.70 MB, 7.53 MB Type Still Image Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida Accrual Method Donation Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by May Natural History Museum, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by May Museum of Natural History and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Personal Collection of May Museum of Natural History External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/76ca4fec8012a2b7dbca970c92858e3f.jpg b32ccd1a61f6f44ed9de35ecc0d1f580 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Two Weeki Wachee Mermaids in Costume Performing a Scene from "Peter Pan" Alternative Title Black and White Photograph: Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaids Performing "Peter Pan," c. 1971 Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Photograph albums--1960-1970 tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Kodak Safety Film Strip consisting of two images. These images show two Weeki Wachee mermaids performing a scene from "Peter Pan." One mermaid is in a Captain Hook costume and the other is in an alligator costume. A prop pirate ship is pictured behind the mermaids. Image was taken sometime in 1971, when the show was performed. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and white photograph of Mermaids Performign "Peter Pan" Type Still Image Source Original black and white photograph of Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaids Performing in "Peter Pan," c. 1971: Private Collection of karen Geiken. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Sparky Schumacher Publisher RICHES Date Created c. 1971 Format image/jpg Extent 2.15 MB Medium B&W Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Karen Geiken and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Private Collection of Karen Geiken. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph: c. 1971. Scanned by RICHES team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Sparky Schumacher, owned by Karen Geiken, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. ballet Brooksville Florida tourism Karen Geiken mermaids Peter Pan Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/67ada858b402767d59df43984ed5f0ea.jpg 3b835a4b1d68d6711b96a55483095674 https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/f5264cfd5632b802fd77e0f8a8869117.jpg 0f61d187f2de6d79123b452615e6276d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Springs Underwater Theater Postcard Alternative Title Postcard: Image of Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaids Posing Atop the Underwater Theater, c.1960s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Photograph albums--1960-1970 tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Color postcard with an image of Weeki Wachee Springs mermaids posing on top of the newly constructed underwater theater. Text on the back reads, "Weeki Wachee, Florida's underwater grand canyon presents a new million dollar underwater aqua-theatre and underwater musical revue daily from 9 to 5, rain or shine. Located at the junction of U.S. 19 and Florida 50 north of Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa." This Postcard made sometime in the 1960s. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Postcard of Weeki Wachee Mermaids on Roof of Underwater Theater Type Still Image Source Original color postcard of Weeki Wachee Mermaids atop Underwater Theater, c.1960s: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Collection. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created c. 1960s Format image/jpg Extent 4.24 MB 1.25 MB Medium Color Postcard Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Collection of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original postcard: c. 1960s. Scanned by RICHES team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. ballet Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/d001b8fc9c681c8f7fadde6b858a83e4.jpg 80b0eabf26671c204e58253cbe3059f8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Rita King Feeding a Fish Underwater Alternative Title Photograph of Rita King, a Mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs, Feeding a Fish Underwater, c. 1960s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Mermaid Rita King feeding a fish underwater. In one hand she is holding food and the other hand is holding an air hose. She is kneeling on the spring floor. Photograph taken in the 1960s. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and White Photograph Type Still Image Source Black and white photograph of Rita King, c. 1960s: Private collection of Rita King. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Conforms To Weeki Wachee, Florida Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Date Created c. 1960s Format image/jpg Extent 2.90 MB Medium 4 x 6 B&W Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Rita King and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Rita King External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of B&W photograph: Rita King, c. 1960s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Rita King, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt Rita King roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/1acd1f8bea3da78c472de2c0761ff422.jpg 857376c5ed84f1fb0ac5b285ac746cf3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Three Weeki Wachee Mermaids Performing on the Hydraulic Lift Alternative Title Color Photograph: Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaids Performing on Hydraulic Lift August 1971 Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Photograph albums--1960-1970 tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description A Weeki Wachee Springs underwater performance. The image shows two Weeki Wachee mermaids standing on the hydraulic lift that ABC installed in the springs in the 1960s. There is a third mermaid mid-pose in front of the bydraulic lift. As the picture was taken in August 1971 and there is a treasure chest prop in the left corner, the show is presumed to be "Peter Pan." After ABC took over Weeki Wachee Springs, the performances changed annually. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Color photograph of Mermaids and Hydraulic Lift in Weeki Wachee Springs Type Still Image Source Original color photograph of Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaids and Hydraulic Lift, August 1971: Private Collection of karen Geiken. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1971-08-01 Format image/jpg Extent 654 KB Medium Color Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Karen Geiken and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Private Collection of Karen Geiken. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Date Copyrighted 1971-08-01 Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph: August 1971. Scanned by RICHES team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Karen Geiken, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. ballet Brooksville Florida tourism Karen Geiken mermaids Peter Pan Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/1657fdfebaf9252a4b4789b96bd7bba1.jpg 922582350a0b79b1f17f8b9d1d053366 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Holiday Inn Staff Posing in Front of Hotel Sign in Celebration of 9th Anniversary Alternative Title B&W Photograph: Weeki Wachee Springs Holiday Inn Staff in Front of Sign Celebrating 9th Anniversary, June 5, 1975 Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Photograph albums--1960-1970 tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description The staff of the Weeki Wachee Holiday Inn standing in front of the hotel's iconic sign. The marquee on the sign reads, "Our 9th Anniversary June 5 1975." This Holiday Inn was located directly across the street from Weeki Wachee Springs and opened in 1966. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and white photograph Weeki Wachee Holiday Inn Staff Type Still Image Source Original Black and white photograph of Weeki Wachee Holiday Inn Stafff, June 5, 1975: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Collection. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Holiday Inn Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1975-06-05 Format image/jpg Extent 11.2 MB Medium B&W Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Collection. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Date Copyrighted 1975-06-05 Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph: June 5, 1975. Scanned by RICHES team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Holiday Inn, owned by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. ballet Brooksville Florida tourism Holiday Inn mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/7f7a044196452d790b9472e54b98957a.jpg 8480f0306413c5103d60da99c27367a0 https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/c501c60ca5dd42ebf6ea4eeb6779c1ca.jpg 5a6a6048ddf5bba522aed9cb5bba7ffd Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Postcard of Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid Bonnie Georgiadis Posing Underwater in Costume Alternative Title Color Postcard: Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid Bonnie Georgiadis Posing underwater in Costume, February 13, 1964 Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Photograph albums--1960-1970 tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Color postcard of Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid Bonnie Georgiadis in a costume, mid-ballet move during an underwater performance. Text on back of postcard reads, "The underwater acrobatic butterfly ballet is just one of eight big scenes produced for the new underwater spectacle at the Spring of Live Mermaids, Weeki Wachee, Florida. Color Photo by Ted Lagerberg." Handwritten beneath previous text reads, "Feb 13-64." Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Color postcard of Bonnie Georgiadis Performing Underwater Show Type Still Image Source Lagerber, Ted. Original color postcard of Bonnie Georgiadis Underwater, February 13, 1964: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Collection. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Contributor Lagerberg, Ted Date Created 1964-02-13 Format image/jpg Extent 8.74 MB 3.46 MB Medium Color Postcard Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Collection. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original postcard: February 13, 1964. Scanned by RICHES team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. ballet Bonnie Georgiadis Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/f46b05e30a709de176a866c2d7efcee6.jpg 7f9273bf3088cb94e2be90229fca2c01 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaids Sitting in Front of Hercules Beetle Statue Alternative Title Color Postcard: Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaids Sitting in Front of The May Museum of the Tropics' Hercules Beetle Statue c.1950s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Photograph albums--1960-1970 tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Color postcard of Weeki Wachee Springs mermaids sitting in front of a Hercules Beetle Statue and the May Museum of the Tropics. For a little over a decade, the May family of Colorado displayed some of their family's private collection of tropical bugs and animals in a museum on Weeki Wachee Springs property. Photograph taken sometime in the 1950s. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Color Postcard of May Museum of the Tropics Entrance Type Still Image Source Original color photograph of May Museum of the Tropics, c.1950s: May Natural History Museum Collection. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created c. 1950s Format image/jpg Extent 3.60 MB Medium Color Postcard Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by May Natural History Museum and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository May Natural History Museum Collection. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original postcard: c. 1950s. Scanned by RICHES team. RICHES, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by May Natural History Museum, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. ballet Brooksville Florida tourism May Museum of the Tropics mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/423737ca077397dbd7b2494dfdc932d3.jpg d8989ecc8e1f57b15473200294255891 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Tourist Standing Near Sign Advertising Mermaid Positions Alternative Title Color Photograph: Weeki Wachee Springs Tourist Standing Near Sign Advertising Mermaid Job Openings, April 1964 Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Photograph albums--1960-1970 tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Color photograph of a tourist visiting Weeki Wachee Springs in 1964. The tourist is standing beside a sign that reads, "Openings for Mermaid Training School Apply Here." Weeki Wachee Springs is a state park that opened to the public in October of 1949 by Newton Perry along with a group of investors. This attraction opened as the roadside era of Florida was ramping up and consisted of an amalgamation of vendors including an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction- the mermaid show that took place in an underwater theatre. The attraction grew to include The May Museum of the Tropics, an ‘abandoned Seminole village’, an show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo. As theme parks became the new norm for Florida’s tourist industry, Weeki Wachee Springs began steadily declining until the state of Florida absorbed the attraction into the state park system in 2008. The attraction now focuses on appealing to a modern audience, while still preserving its rich history. Abstract Color photograph of Weeki Wachee Springs Tourist Type Still Image Source Original color photograph of Weeki Wachee Springs Tourist, April 1964: Private Collection of Karen Geiken. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Family of Karen Geiken Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1964-04-01 Format image/jpg Extent 568 KB Medium Color Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Karen Geiken and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Private Collection of Karen Geiken. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Date Copyrighted 1964-04-01 Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph: April 1964. Scanned by RICHES team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by family of Karen Geiken, owned by Karen Geiken, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. ballet Brooksville Florida tourism Karen Geiken mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/73b14c5540c84983058d3a6ab9149f1f.JPG 4eee7ad4223cbab61340801108cb5d16 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Rita King Posing Underwater with a Welcome Home Sign for Her Parents Alternative Title Black and White Photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaid Rita King Posing Underwater with a Sign that Reads, "Welcome Home Mom, Dad Your Mermaid Missed You!", 1967 Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.); Tourism--Florida; tourism & museum; Tourism--1960-1980; Ballet--1970-1980; Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History; Theater--20th century Description Weeki Wachee mermaid Rita King posing underwater with a handmade sign, dressed in a mermaid tail. The sign reads, "Welcome Home Mom, Dad Your Mermaid Missed You!" Rita surprised her parents with this sign at the beginning of the first mermaid show they came to after coming back home from an extended trip. It was routine during performances to shout out visitors who were celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or other special occasions. When VIP's visited the park, the mermaids welcomed them more elaborately. For example, when Elvis Presley visited Weeki Wachee, the mermaids began the underwater show with a cardboard cutout of Elvis as well as with several signs. As seen here, it was also acceptable for mermaids to personalize their shows under special circumstances. Weeki Wachee Springs is a state park that opened to the public in October of 1949 by Newton Perry along with a group of investors. This attraction opened as the roadside era of Florida was ramping up and consisted of an amalgamation of vendors including an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction- the mermaid show that took place in an underwater theatre. The attraction grew to include The May Museum of the Tropics, an ‘abandoned Seminole village’, an show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo. As theme parks became the new norm for Florida’s tourist industry, Weeki Wachee Springs began steadily declining until the state of Florida absorbed the attraction into the state park system in 2008. The attraction now focuses on appealing to a modern audience, while still preserving its rich history. Abstract Black and White Photograph Source Original B&W photograph of Rita King, 1967: Private Collection of Rita King. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Format image/jpg Extent 557 KB Medium B&W Photograph Type Still Image Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Accrual Method Donation Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Rita King and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Private Collection of Rita King. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Creator Weeki Wachee Springs Date Created 1967 Date Copyrighted 1967 Date Issued 1967 Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of original photograph: 1967; Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Rita King, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/6b0e1f6cf86745347872aafb58ded6b1.pdf 0e4b86c55fbe2eafc5ce5777b76183af Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Lydia Dodson Posing Underwater Alternative Title Black and White Photograph of Lydia Dodson, a Mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs, Posing Underwater, June, 1970 Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.); Tourism--Florida; tourism & museum; Tourism--1960-1980; Ballet--1970-1980; Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History; Theater--20th century Description Lydia Dodson posing underwater in June of 1970. Lydia Dodson was a Weeki Wachee Mermaid in the 1970s and more recently joined ranks of the Legendary Sirens. Weeki Wachee Springs is a state park that opened to the public in October of 1949 by Newton Perry along with a group of investors. This attraction opened as the roadside era of Florida was ramping up and consisted of an amalgamation of vendors including an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction- the mermaid show that took place in an underwater theatre. The attraction grew to include The May Museum of the Tropics, an ‘abandoned Seminole village’, an show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo. As theme parks became the new norm for Florida’s tourist industry, Weeki Wachee Springs began steadily declining until the state of Florida absorbed the attraction into the state park system in 2008. The attraction now focuses on appealing to a modern audience, while still preserving its rich history. Abstract Black and White Photograph Date Created 1970-06 Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Format image/jpg Extent 3.96 MB Medium Black and White Photograph Type Still image Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Accrual Method Donation Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held byLydia Dodson and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Private Collection of Lydia Dodson. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Source Original photograph of Lydia Dodson: Personal Collection of Lydia Dodson. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Copyrighted 1970-06 Date Issued 1970-06 Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of black and white photograph: 1970. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Lydia Dodson, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/c076483b74d2b99365a9261c8759a9e5.JPG 409de4e55b94ce0c2b5e8103515e4188 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Rita King Performing at a Mermaid Reunion Alternative Title Black and White Photograph of Rita King, a Mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs, Performing Aerobatics at a Mermaid Reunion, 1960 Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.); Tourism--Florida; tourism & museum; Tourism--1960-1980; Ballet--1970-1980; Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History; Theater--20th century Description Rita King, a mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs, in costume, performing an acrobatic routine. This event was one of the many mermaid reunions that Weeki Wachee Springs hosted, where they invited former mermaids to attend special events. This particular reunion happened on December 1, 1960. Text cut off at the top of the image reads, "Acrobatic Dance Routine for a Mermaid Reunion Show - Age 21." Weeki Wachee Springs is a state park that opened to the public in October of 1949 by Newton Perry along with a group of investors. This attraction opened as the roadside era of Florida was ramping up and consisted of an amalgamation of vendors including an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction- the mermaid show that took place in an underwater theatre. The attraction grew to include The May Museum of the Tropics, an ‘abandoned Seminole village’, an show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo. As theme parks became the new norm for Florida’s tourist industry, Weeki Wachee Springs began steadily declining until the state of Florida absorbed the attraction into the state park system in 2008. The attraction now focuses on appealing to a modern audience, while still preserving its rich history. Abstract Black and white photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaid Rita King Creator Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Source Original black and white photograph of Rita King, December 1, 1960: Private collection of Rita King. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1960-12-01 Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Format image/jpg Extent 3 MB Medium Black and White Photograph Type Still Image Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Accrual Method Donation Mediator History Teacher Humanities Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Rita King and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Private collection of Rita King. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Date Issued 1960-12-01 Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of B&W photograph: c. 1960s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, owned by Delee Perry, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/44fe49a048471183ab9c7ee719b31930.jpg aa967224f98c2fb90b3842023a774ae4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Mermaid Geanie L.W. Brooks Dressed as a Witch Posing Underwater Alternative Title B&W Photograph: Mermaid Geanie L.W. Brooks Dressed as a Witch and Posing Underwater, c.1950s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Photograph albums--1960-1970 tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Mermaid Geanie L. W. Brooks dressed as a witch posing underwater at Weeki Wachee Springs. In the background is a sign in the shape of a jack-o-lantern in a tophat. On the tophat are the words "Weekii Wachee Witches." Geanie learned how to weld andoperate heavy machinery at the McCloskey Shipyard during World War II. In the 1950s, Geanie worked as a waitress at the Patio Restuarant at Weeki Wachee Springs and later became a mermaid. She left this position in 1957. After Weeki Wachee, Geanie drove bulldozers, repaired bulldozer tracks, and drove a dump trunk. Even later she worked as a bookkeeper, real estate agent, bowling instructor, and department store manager. Her last job was at Home Depot, she left the workforce upon turning eighty-years-old. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and white photograph of Geanie L. W. Brooks Underwater Type Still Image Source Original Black and white photograph of Geanie Brooks Underwater, c.1950s: Private Collection of Shirley Herdge. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1960 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1960 Format image/jpeg Extent 11 MB Medium B&W Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Private Collection of Shirley Herdge. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph: c. 1950s. Scanned by RICHES team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. ballet Brooksville Florida tourism Geanie Brooks Geanie L. W. Brooks mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/975b172a4ffb6f93459eda321e650d0c.jpg 69e67d074c296261bad5e38e2381ce33 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Geanie L.W. Brooks with her Four Children in Front of Weeki Wachee's Mermaid Villa Alternative Title B&W Photograph: Mermaid Geanie L.W. Brooks and Children posing under a Weeki Wachee Sign, c.1950s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Photograph albums--1960-1970 tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Weeki Wachee Mermaid Geanie L. W. Brooks and her four children, 2 sons and 2 daughters, sitting under a Weeki Wachee Sign outside of the Mermaid Villa. Geanie learned how to weld andoperate heavy machinery at the McCloskey Shipyard during World War II. In the 1950s, Geanie worked as a waitress at the Patio Restuarant at Weeki Wachee Springs and later became a mermaid. She left this position in 1957. After Weeki Wachee, Geanie drove bulldozers, repaired bulldozer tracks, and drove a dump trunk. Even later she worked as a bookkeeper, real estate agent, bowling instructor, and department store manager. Her last job was at Home Depot, she left the workforce upon turning eighty-years-old. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and white photograph of Geanie L. W. Brooks and Children Type Still Image Source Original Black and white photograph of Geanie Brooks and her children, c.1950s: Private Collection of Shirley Herdge. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1960 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1960 Format image/jpeg Extent 21.7 MB Medium B&W Photograph Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Shirley Herdfe and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Private Collection of Shirley Herdge. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph: c. 1950s. Scanned by RICHES team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Shirley Herdge, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. ballet Brooksville Florida tourism Geanie Brooks Geanie L. W. Brooks mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/dc02079b1fc3bb5d84d5d0e5e6cdaa88.jpg 46144bf746e18bb4b9f0b2a53226063f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Geanie L.W. Brooks in Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid Uniform Operating a Caterpillar D-7 Bulldozer Alternative Title Photograph: Geanie L.W. Brooks in Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid Uniform Operating a Caterpillar D-7 Bulldozer, c.1950s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Photograph albums--1960-1970 tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Burial--United States--History Native American art and culture Archeological investigations University of Florida Description Geanie L. W. Brooks in her Weeki Wachee uniform (a swimsuit) operating a Caterpillar D-7 bulldozer. Geanie learned how to operate heavy machinery at the McCloskey Shipyard during World War II. In the 1950s, Geanie worked as a waitress at the Patio Restuarant at Weeki Wachee Springs and later became a mermaid. She left this position in 1957. After Weeki Wachee, Geanie drove bulldozers, repaired bulldozer tracks, and drove a dump trunk. Even later she worked as a bookkeeper, real estate agent, bowling instructor, and department store manager. Her last job was at Home Depot, she left the workforce upon turning eighty-years-old. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and white photograph of Geanie L. W. Brooks Operating a Bullldozer Type Still Image Source Original Black and white photograph of Geanie Brooks on a bulldozer, c. 1950s: Private Collection of Shirley Herdge. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1960 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1960 Format image/jpeg Extent 25 MB Medium B&W Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Shirley Herdge and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Private Collection of Shirley Herdge. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph: c. 1950s. Scanned by RICHES team. RICHES Program, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Original owned by Shirley Herdge, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. ballet Brooksville Florida tourism Geanie Brooks Geanie L. W. Brooks mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/5b9057eea09dd35519de86183c4009aa.jpg ed73a1ebef2e35f378c6d417091eace9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Geanie L. W. Brooks in her Welding Uniform at the McCloskey Shipyard in Tampa during WWII Alternative Title Photograph: Geanie L. W. Brooks in her Welding Uniform at the McCloskey Shipyard in Tampa, c. 1940s Description Geanie L. W. Brooks in her welding uniform at the McCloskey Shipyard. Geanie learned how to weld and work with heavy machinery at this shipyard during World War II. McCloskey Shipyard paid welding trainees 63 cents and hour to train there and 17% of their workforce during the war were women, which was twice the national figure. In the 1950s, Geanie worked as a waitress at the Patio Restuarant at Weeki Wachee Springs and later became a mermaid. She left this position in 1957. After Weeki Wachee, Geanie drove bulldozers, repaired bulldozer tracks, and drove a dump trunk. Even later, she worked as a bookkeeper, real estate agent, bowling instructor, and department store manager. Her last job was at Home Depot. She left the workforce upon turning 80 years old. According to a two-page life story Geanie wrote, "My family thought I was 'liberated' before anyone had even heard of 'women's liberation.' I always knew men made more money than women, so I applied for men's jobs, knew what they made, asked for it, and got it. (Can't hurt to ask right?) Sometimes I even made more, if I was able to get a percentage of a dumptruck haul." Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and White Photograph of Geanie L.W. Brooks in Welding Uniform Type Still Image Source Original black and white photograph of Geanie L.W. Brooks, c.1940s: Private Collection of Shirley Herdge. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1940-1950 Date Copyrighted ca. 1940-1950 Format image/jpeg Extent 75.9 MB Medium Black and white photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Shirley Herdge and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Private Collection of Shirley Herdge. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph: Geanie L.W. Brooks, c.1940s. Scanned by RICHES team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Original owned by Shirley Herdge, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Geanie Brooks Geanie L. W. Brooks McCloskey Shipyard riveter Shipyard Tampa welding World War II WWII https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/8df586ae37eacddfcb5eea94dcc844f5.jpg a87e07f47c2238b153fe3d80867baa8c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Bonnie Georgiadis at an Archeological dig at Weeki Wachee Springs, July, 1970. Alternative Title Photograph: Weeki Wachee Mermaid Participating in Archeological Dig in 1970 Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Photograph albums--1960-1970 tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Burial--United States--History Native American art and culture Archeological investigations University of Florida Description Bonnie Georgiadis assisting an archeological dig of a Native American burial mound at Weeki Wachee Springs in July of 1970. She is using archeological tools to uncover a vase. The dig was conducted by the University of Florida. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Color photograph of Bonnie Georgiadis assisting an archeological dig at Weeki Wachee Springs Type Still Image Source Original color photograph by Sparky Schumacher, July,1970: Private Collection of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Schumacher, Sparky Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1970-07 Date Modified 3/23/2018 Date Copyrighted ca. 1970-07 Format image/jpeg Extent 58.6 KB Medium color photograph Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Provenance Originally created by Sparky Schumacher, owned by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and published by by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Source Repository Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Collection. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital reproduction of original photograph: Sparky Schumacher, July,1970. Scanned by Rebecca Schwandt. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Bonnie Georgiadis Brooksville burial mound Florida tourism mermaids Native Americans Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism Sparky Schumacher The University of Florida tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/03cdefe61b8150b130a3b5494cb9aa1b.jpg 01f64114b40d9ba2009e90902f73278e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Bonnie Georgiadis Announcing a Show Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Bonnie Georgiadis Announcing a Show, c. 1960s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Mermaid Bonnier Georgiadis sitting on the edge of the underwater theater's windows holding a microphone, announcing a show. Two mermaids are pictured behind her in mid pose. Bonnie Georgiadis worked at Weeki Wachee for a total of 37 years. 13 years as a mermaid and trainer, 7 as a show producer and choreographer, and the rest of her time at the park as the bird department's manager. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Type Still Image Source Original black and white photograph of Bonnie Georgiadis and Mermaids, c. 1960s: Private Collection of Sharon Cihak Elliot. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1960-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1960-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 21.4 MB Medium B&W Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Sharon Cihak Elliot and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Sharon Cihak Elliot. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of photograph: Bonnie Georgiadis and Mermaids, c. 1960s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES Program, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Sharon Cihak Elliot, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Bonnie Georgiadis Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism Sharon Cihak Elliot tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/83417e008621c722a6ccdc63ffd4541e.jpg a56e6c18a0304de80e20dfb242c4ce3c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Bonnie Georgiadis Releasing Rehabilitated Bald Eagle Alternative Title Bonnie Georgiadis Releasing Rehabilitated Bald Eagle, c. 1980s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Weeki Wachee Springs Bird Department Manager Bonnie Georgiadis about to release one of the two bald eagles she helped rehabilitate. She rehabilitated an eagle in 1985. The eagle got caught in some barbed wire and broke its collarbone at a cattle ranch near Weeki Wachee. The 4-year-old female dubbed Victoria recovered at Busch Gardens for four months and was then sent to Weeki Wachee to be rehabilitated for two months. In order to retrain the eagle, Bonnie had to train the bird to fly short distances from perch to perch and reward Victoria with treats. Bonnie Georgiadis worked at Weeki Wachee for a total of 37 years. 13 years as a mermaid and trainer, 7 as a show producer and choreographer, and the rest of her time at the park as the bird department's manager. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Photograph Type Still Image Source Original color photograph of Bonnie Georgiadis and Bald Eagle, c. 1980s: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Collection. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Has Format Digital Reproduction of photograph: Bonnie Georgiadis and Bald Eagle, c. 1980s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1980-1990 Date Copyrighted ca. 1980-1990 Format image/jpeg Extent 43.7 KB Medium Color Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Collection. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Bonnie Georgiadis Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/cb5179428dab3a4cb84143fa4db46e51.jpg 377f0174944cbb3936212e18ef16f54f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Mermaid Trainer Bonnie Georgiadis Displaying Proper Form for 6 Trainees Alternative Title Bonnie Georgiadis Training Six Mermaids on Proper Form, c.1960s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Mermaid Trainer Bonnie Georgiadis training six mermaids on proper form of a position for a publicity photo. Bonnie Georgiadis worked at Weeki Wachee for a total of 37 years. 13 years as a mermaid and trainer, 7 as a show producer and choreographer, and the rest of her time at the park as the bird department's manager. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Photograph Type Still Image Source Original sepia tone photogrpah of Bonnie Georgiadis and Trainees, c. 1960s: Private Collection of Sharon Cihak Elliot. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1960-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1960-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 2.61 MB Medium B&W Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Sharon Cihak Elliot and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Sharon Cihak Elliot. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of photograph: Bonnie Georgiadis and Trainees, c. 1960s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Sharon Cihak Elliot, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Bonnie Georgiadis Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism Sharon Cihak Elliot tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/1840e24c239ac30f2ad589af8dbd50d3.pdf 05bcca2eff2069ee40b7fe7fdabb378d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Bicentennial Edition of Weeki Wachee Springs' Trifold Brochure, Featuring Mermaid Rebecca Young Alternative Title Bicentennial Edition of Weeki Wachee Springs' Trifold Brochure, Featuring Mermaid Rebecca Young, c. 1976 Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Bicentennial edition of Weeki Wachee Springs' trifold brochure, c. 1976. The mermaid mock playing the flute is Rebecca Young (previously Stahlhut). This photoshoot is the one she is most proud of from her time as a Weeki Wachee Mermaid. The photoshoot took several hours just to this this one picture, as everyone's hair, costumes, and the flag had to be in correct positions. The inside of the brochure lists the attractions and mentions the special "salute to the Bicentennial, 'Happy Birthday America!'" Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Trifold Brochure Type Still Image Source Original color Weeki Wachee Springs trifold, Bicentennial Edition, c. 1976: Private Collection of Rebecca Young. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1976 Date Copyrighted ca. 1976 Format image/pdf Extent 21.2 MB Medium 11 x 17 Color Trifold Brochure Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Rebecca Young and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Rebecca Young. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of brochure: Weeki Wachee Springs Brochure, Bicentennial Edition, c. 1976. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Rebecca Young, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt Rebecca Stahlhut Rebecca Young roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/3cfd32ae56af5046002e0fe563a90f93.jpg 27602dcd9727e3ff3a30a0723ab9c744 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Letter from Dorothy Gray, Ltd. Publicity Director Mayreen Logan to Weeki Wachee Mermaid Rebecca Stahlhut Thanking Her for Modeling Their Products Alternative Title Letter of Thanks from a Representative of Dorothy Gray, Ltd. To Weeki Wachee Mermaid Rebecca Stahlhut, 1975 Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Letter written by Dorothy Gray, Ltd. Publicity Director Maureen Logan to Weeki Wachee Mermaid Rebecca Stahlhut (later Rebecca Young). The letter was written on April 24, 1975. In the letter Maureen thanks Rebecca for modeling Dorothy Gray products, and lets Rebecca know that Dorothy sent the mermaids a bunch of their products as a thank you. Dorothy Gray was a company that sold skin care products and makeup. In the years after ABC purchased Weeki Wachee Springs and grew the attraction, many makeup, swimsuit, and swimwear products partnered with Weeki Wachee Springs to advertise their brands. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Letter Type Still Image Source Original letter of thanks from Dorothy Gray, Ltd. to Rebecca Stahlhut, April 24, 1975: Private Collection of Rebecca Young. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Logan, Maureen Dorothy Gray, Ltd. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1975-04-24 Date Copyrighted 1975-04-24 Format image/jpeg Extent 96.3 MB Medium 8.5 x 11 Letter Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Rebecca Young and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Rebecca Young. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of letter: Letter of Thanks from Dorothy Gray, Ltd. to Rebecca Stahlhut, April 24, 1975. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Dorothy Grey Ltd., owned by Rebecca Young, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. ballet Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt Rebecca Stahlhut Rebecca Young roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/dd575c56769a8d97c2a445d5881f73e1.jpg 6782ec0ea9c479ffa0640407ccf2ec2d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Florence McNabb Drinking an RC Cola Underwater Alternative Title B&W Photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaid Florence McNabb Drinking an RC Cola Underwater, c.1960s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Weeki Wachee Mermaid Florence McNabb drinking an RC Cola underwater in the 1960s. Florence is kneeling on some seagrass, holding the airhose to her side. Weeki Wachee mermaids drank soda and ate bananas during their shows, before the mermaid shows became plays. At one point, RC Cola sponsored Weeki Wachee. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and White Photograph Type Still Image Source Original Black and white photograph of Florence McNabb drinking RC Cola, c.1960s: Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs Collection. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1951-1960 Date Copyrighted ca. 1951-1960 Format image/jpeg Extent 18 MB Medium 3.5 x 5 B&W Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs Collection. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of photograph: Mermaid Florence McNabb Drinking RC Cola Underwater, c. 1960s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Brooksville Florence Gothberg Florence McNabb Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/6be55e25c74ee3c1c2f30bcb1d4b8257.jpg f910304a453d4c2e9d12bf7ce659b1c9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Springs Gift Shop Alternative Title The Viewmaster Section of Weeki Wachee's Gift Shop, c. 1960s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Black and white photograph of a portion of Weeki Wachee's gift shop, taken in the 1960s. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Photograph Type Still Image Source Black and White Kodak Safety Film strip, c. 1960s: Weeki Wachee Springs Collection. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Schumacher, Sparky Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1960-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1960-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 2.17 MB Medium B&W Kodak Safety Film Strip Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Collection. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of photograph: Weeki Wachee Gift Shop, c. 1960s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Sparky Schumacher, owned by Weeki Wachee State Park, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. ballet Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/1e20eabd060d1a3f1b7227ae29d4aaad.pdf 648b2eab05a1fdc5166f58ec6d630722 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Map of Weeki Wachee after ABC Bought the Attraction Alternative Title Map of Weeki Wachee Springs and All its Attractions, c. 1970s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description This map is a part of a booklet about Weeki Wachee Springs. The booklet was made sometime after the corporation American Broadcasting Company (ABC) purchased the park. The map also shows the underwater theater, labeled D, as having a flat roof. This remodel covered up the original clam shell roof the theater had. In the mid-1970s, the park was rethemed and many of the attractions took on a South Pacific look. In 2014, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection began an endeavor to uncover the original roof. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Brochure Type Still Image Source Original color Weeki Wachee brochure, fourteen pages, c. 1970s: Private Collection of Rebecca Young. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1970-1980 Date Copyrighted ca. 1970-1980 Format image/pdf Extent 97.3 MB Medium Color Brochure Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Rebecca Young and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Rebecca Young. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of brochure: Weeki Wachee Brochure, c. 1970s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Rebecca Young, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Becky Young Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/8d83ac8d8f81051d00edf4c9c9e536c1.jpg 1c4a0038d0741ddbfb23a68e3e0ac60a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Company Van Alternative Title Photograph of the Volkswagen Van that Bussed Employees to the Springs, c. 1950s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Photograph of the Volkswagen van that Weeki Wachee used to bus employees to the springs. The van is parked in from of the Weeki Wachee entrance sign. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and white photograph Type Still Image Source Black and White Photograph of Weeki Wachee's Employee Van, c. 1950s: Private Collection of Shirley Herdge. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1960 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1960 Format image/jpeg Extent 7.51 MB Medium B&W Photograph Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Shirley Herdge and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Shirley Herdge. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of photograph: Weeki Wachee's Company Van, c. 1950s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Shirley Herdge, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Brooksville Florida tourism Geanie Brooks mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/2646068c32c343f7038f43ff2a0a840e.jpg f78cb1d295e389c6e4c318cd572758f7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Three Weeki Wachee Mermaids Performing Underwater Alternative Title Postcard of Three Weeki Wachee Mermaids Mid-Performance, c. 1960s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Postcard depicting three Weeki Wachee Mermaids performing in a show. Two of the mermaids are dressed up in leis and hula skirts and the other is wearing a Hawaiian shirt playing a ukelele. Mermaids are standing on a metal platform that is a hydraulic lift. The platform moved up and down. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Postcard Type Still Image Source Original postcard of Weeki Wachee Mermaids Mid-Performance, c. 1960s: Private Collection of Arlene Brooks. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1960-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1960-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 23.4 MB Medium 4 x 6 Color Postcard Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Arlene Brooks and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Arlene Brooks. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of postcard: Three Weeki Wachee Mermaids in Mid-Performance, c.1960s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Arlene Brooks, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Arlene Brooks ballet Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/bc2e725c48fc52bf7e4b4c66eb36b31c.jpg af0cd28ab41ec37b40b9563f38521b7a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Springs' Original Underwater Theater Alternative Title Photograph of the Original Underwater Theater at Weeki Wachee Springs, January, 1959. Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Weeki Wachee's original underwater theater. Photogrpah taken in 1959. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and white photograph Type Still Image Source Original Black and white photograph of Weeki Wachee Underwater Theater, January, 1959: Private Collection of Gail Anderson. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Family of Gail Anderson Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1959-01-01 Date Copyrighted 1959-01-01 Format image/jpeg Extent 11.3 MB Medium Black and white photograph Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Gail Anderson and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Gail Anderson. External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of photograph: Weeki Wachee's Underwater Theater, January, 1959. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by the family of Gail Anderson, owned by Gail Anderson, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Brooksville Florida tourism Gail Anderson mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/32ca3b9323cbeb4942841e646afbebe7.jpg 364e6ad4f4a47d4021af04145a82f4ee Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Bonnie Georgiadis in the lobby of the Mermaid Motel Speaking to Guests Alternative Title Photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaid Bonnie Georgiadis in the Mermaid Motel lobby, c. 1950s-60s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid Bonnie Georgiadis in uniform (wearing an Alix of Miami Swimsuit) speaking to guests in the lobby of the Mermaid Motel. Behind Bonnie are rows of guest books, one for each state for visitors to the motel to sign into. The Mermaid Motel was directly across the street from Weeki Wachee Springs and operated from 1951 - 1966, when the motel changed hands to Holiday Inn. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and white photograph Type Still Image Source Original black and white photograph of Bonnie Georgiadis in the Mermaid Motel, c. 1950s-60s: Collection of Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Mermaid Motel Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1960 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1960 Format image/jpeg Extent 45.2 MB Medium B&W Photograph Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Collection of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of photograph: Bonnie Georgiadis in the Mermaid Motel, c. 1950s-60s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Mermaid Motel, owned by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Bonnie Georgiadis Brooksville E. D. Gothberg Florence Gothberg Florence McNabb Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Vera Gothberg Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/22f3e0e93f54a740844d9198dd2838de.jpg 23cae6db8e9453ff52e7be3ba704fdd6 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Business Card of E. D. Gothberg, Owner of Weeki Wachee Motor Lodge Alternative Title Business Card of E.D. Gothberg, Owner of Weeki Wachee Motor Lodge and Mermaid Motel, c. 1950s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Business card of E. D. Gothberg, owner and operator of Weeki Wachee Motor Lodge and Mermaid Motel. The Weeki Wachee Motor Lodge was located near the attraction and the motel was directly across from Weeki Wachee Springs. Many mermaids lived in the motor lodge. E. D. Gothberg owned the motel until 1966, when Holiday Inn was put in the motel's place. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Business Card Type Still Image Source Original business card of E. D. Gothberg, c. 1950s: Collection of Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Gothberg, E. D. Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1960 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1960 Format image/jpeg Extent 10.3 MB Medium Business Card Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Collection of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of business card: E. D. Gothberg Business Card, c. 1950s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by E.D. Gothberg, owned by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. ballet Brooksville Charles McNabb David McNabb E. D. Gothberg Florence Gothberg Florence McNabb Florida tourism mermaids Michael McNabb Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Vera Gothberg Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/465999c0e17c627daeccd4a6c082fd3c.jpg 052f4d43306e271fb046e70810de5bd4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Florence and Charles McNabb Holding Trophies won During a Diving Competition Alternative Title Black and White Photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaid and Merman Florence and Charles McNabb Holding Trophies, c. 1950s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Photograph of Florence and Charles McNabb holding trophies they won at an amateur skin diving competition at Rainbow Springs. The couple both worked at Weeki Wachee Springs, and would often participate in swimming competitions. In this competition, the couple both won first place in their respective gender classes. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Photograph Type Still Image Source Original Black and White photograph of Florence McNabb and family, c. 1950s: Collection of Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1960 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1960 Format image/jpeg Extent 9.62 MB Medium 3 x 5 B&W Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Collection of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of photograph: Florence McNabb and Family, c. 1950s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Original owned by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Brooksville Charles McNabb David McNabb Florence Gothberg Florence McNabb Florida tourism mermaids Michael McNabb Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/673ff091c4f3056bd01515f6b3698ca6.jpg 6034c3bb4594246dbae68898eeff801e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Florence McNabb, Charles McNabb, and Their Two Sons, David and Michael, Leaving Church Alternative Title Black and White Photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaid Florence McNabb and Her Family Leaving First Methodist Church, c. 1950s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Black and white photograph of Florence McNabb, husband Charles McNabb, and their two sons, Michael and David, leaving church. Florence is shaking their minister's hand. Florence McNabb was a Weeki Wachee Mermaid in the 1950s. Her husband also worked at Weeki Wachee. They married in 1951. In 1963, the McNabb's car was struck by a drunk driver, killing Florence and Michael and severely injuring Charles and David. Decades later in 2006, someone picking debris out of the Weeki Wachee Springs found an anklet with "Florence" engraved on one side and "Charlie" engraved on the other. Former mermaid and co-worker of Florence McNabb Vicki Smith confirmed that Florence had lost the anklet during a show. Years later, a friend of David McNabb found a large box of Weeki Wachee emphemera and family pictures when he helped to clean out David's home after David passed away. This friend passed the box on to his daughter, who donated the artifacts to Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Photograph Type Still Image Source Original black and white photograph of Florence McNabb and family, c. 1950s: Collection of Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1960 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1960 Format image/jpeg Extent 19.6 MB Medium 3 x 5 B&W Photograph Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Collection of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of photograph: Florence McNabb and Family, c. 1950s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Original owned by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES M</a>I ballet Brooksville Charles McNabb David McNabb Florence Gothberg Florence McNabb Florida tourism mermaids Michael McNabb Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/0a481e2b50553a62e903395dc0e83a02.jpg 8eff49ae54572ccd707e0918f88a449c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Florence McNabb Posing Underwater in Costume Alternative Title B&W Photograph of Florence McNabb Underwater in Mermaid Costume, c.1950s Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Photograph of Florence McNabb posing underwater in a mermaid costume at Weeki Wachee Springs in the 1950s. Florence was the daughter of Ed and Vera Gothberg, who owned the Mermaid Motel that was across the street from Weeki Wachee Springs until 1966. At this time, mermaid tails were mainly used in promotional photos and rarely used during shows. This was because shows at the time mainly consisted of ballet routines. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Photograph Type Still Image Source Original Black and white photograph of Florence McNabb, c. 1950s: Collection of Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1950-1960 Date Copyrighted ca. 1950-1960 Format image/jpeg Extent 19.6 MB Medium 4 x 6 B&W Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Collection of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of photograph: Florence McNabb, c. 1950s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES Program, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Brooksville Florence Gothberg Florence McNabb Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/c40039fa5153de35b1a25b3aa9af65d1.pdf cf9532c77e8922c4b67a72c3c943c086 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Lauren Dodson Posing in her Mermaid Uniform at the Weeki Wachee Springs Docks Alternative Title Photograph of Weeki Wachee Mermaid Lauren Dodson Posing on a Dock in Costume, 2007. Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Weeki Wachee Springs mermaid Lauren Dodson in costume with a mermaid tail on posing on the dock of the spring. Lauren Dodson was a mermaid from 2007 to 2012 and is the daughter of Lydia Dodson, who was a Weeki Wachee mermaid in the 1970s. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Photograph Type Still Image Source Original color photogrpah of Lauren Dodson, 2007: Private collection of Lydia Dodson. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 2007 Date Copyrighted ca. 2007 Format image/pdf Extent 3.69 MB Medium Color Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Lydia Dodson and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Lydia Dodson External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of photograph: Lydia Dodson, 2007. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Lydia Dodson, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Brooksville Florida tourism Lauren Dodson Lydia Dodson mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/50e2b83e72fd517deef819241d7956aa.pdf c4b3e4f7e618beeefb4ace157bfb1021 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Recap of Weeki Wachee Spring's 1969 Annual Mermaid Reunion Alternative Title "Weeki Wachee Calling," The Pictoral Report of the 9th Annual Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid Reunion Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description "Weeki Wachee Calling" is a 4-page pictoral report of the 9th annual Weeki Wachee Spring's Mermaid Reunion. The first page is written as if it is a telegram and thanks guests for attending as well as informing them of the next reunion in 1970. Over the next 2 pages are 15 photos from the event along with the winners of all of the games and contests that were held during the event. The last page lists the attendance roster. A totall of 130 participated in the event. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract 4-Page typed document Type Still Image Source Original four-page document "Weeki Wachee Calling," 1969: Private collection of Shirley Herdge. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1969 Date Copyrighted ca. 1969 Format image/pdf Extent 13.3 MB Medium Four-page typed document Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Shirley Herdge and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Shirley Herdge External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of four page-page document: Shirley Herdge, 1969. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Shirley Herdge, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Brooksville Florida tourism Geanie Brooks mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism Shirley Herdge tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/632cbe5aa14d1db6e929bceefebcde9d.jpg a2a2b6159d214460aad08bb632d7c4d3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title 1969 Weeki Wachee Springs Annual Mermaid Reunion Schedule Alternative Title Typed Document of the Schedule of the 1969 Annual Mermaid Reunion at Weeki Wachee Springs Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description For many years, Weeki Wachee Springs held an annual reunion with their former mermaids. The 1969 reunion schedule gives an overview of the events held throughout these reunions, including a swimming race across the spring, an underwater show performed by former mermaids, a lunch, costume contest, award ceremony, film screening, and farewells. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract 1-page document Type Still Image Source Original schedule "Time Table -- 1969 Mermaid Annual Reunion", 1969: Private collection of Arlene Brooks. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1969 Date Copyrighted ca. 1969 Format image/jpeg Extent 96.3 MB Medium One 8.5 x 11 paper Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Arlene Brooks and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Arlene Brooks External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of "Time Table -- 1969 Mermaid Annual Reunion": Arlene Brooks, 1969. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Arlene Brooks, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Arlene Brooks ballet Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/3a959bc3bca127445f34f7d3790db655.pdf d8b657ae9c1a1f1b7f67077bd8b8bc36 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Document Detailing the Acrobatic Routine Performed by Rita King at a Weeki Wachee Mermaid Reunion Alternative Title Choreography of the Acrobatic Routine Rita King, then Rita McKenna, performed at a Weeki Wachee Springs Reunion in 1960 Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description This document lists the choreography of the acrobatic routine Rita King (then Rita McKenna) performed at one of the Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid Reunions. This event was one of the many mermaid reunions that Weeki Wachee Springs hosted, where they invited former mermaids to attend special events. This particular reunion happened on December 1, 1960. Text cut off at the top of the image reads, "Acrobatic Dance Routine for a Mermaid Reunion Show - Age 21." Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract 2-page document Type Still Image Source Original two-page document of choreography, December 1, 1960: Private collection of Rita King. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1960-12-01 Date Copyrighted 1960-12-01 Format image/pdf Extent 5.43 MB Medium Two 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Rita King and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Rita King External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of 2-page document: Rita King, December 1, 1960s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Rita King, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt Rita King roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/9319963f4b2baa1ea6a31d84c2972a7c.jpg c23a2b662f2b36598e2f4b9724bfe25e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Mermaid Rita King Performing at a Mermaid Reunion Alternative Title Rita King, a Mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs, Dancing at a Mermaid Reunion, 1960 Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Photograph of Rita King, a mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs, dancing on a platform as a band plays. This event was one of the many mermaid reunions that Weeki Wachee Springs hosted, where they invited former mermaids to attend special events. This particular reunion occured in the 1960s. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Black and White Photograph Type Still Image Source Rita King, December 1, 1960: Private collection of Rita King. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1960-12-01 Date Copyrighted 1960-12-01 Format image/jpeg Extent 5.34 MB Medium 4 x 6 Photograph Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Rita King and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Rita King External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of B&W photograph: Rita King, c. 1960s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Rita King, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> ballet Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt Rita King roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/1d72983fdc028d758514144d5f27b6ed.jpg 11378fa15c9dba6ce9b3b5b8ef797469 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Arlene Brooks Practicing Ballet in the Mermaid Villa Alternative Title 3 Strips of Kodak Safety Film with 12 photographs showing Arlene Brooks Practicing Ballet Moves in Weeki Wachee's Mermaid Villa Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Three strips of safety film with twelve photographs showing Arlene Brooks in several ballet positions. The photographs are assumed to be taken by Weeki Wachee's resident photographer, Sparky Schumacher. These photos were taken in the 1960s. Practicing moves out of the water is just as important as practicing moves underwater. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract 3 strips of Kodak Safety Film Black and White Photos Type Still Image Source Original Kodak Safety Film strips, 12 photographs, c. 1960s: Private collection of Arlene Brooks. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Schumacher, Sparky Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1960-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1960-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 61.3 MB Medium Three Kodak Safety Film Strips Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Arlene Brooks and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Arlene Brooks External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of three film strips: Arlene Brooks, c. 1960s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Sparky Schumacher, owned by Arlene Brooks, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Arlene Brooks ballet Brooksville Florida tourism mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/0fd67cf991a7a6d8470ad729af18429f.pdf c723077a0ec127eab2dcd1eafa63811b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title New Basis of Pay for Mermaids Effective August 1, 1956 Alternative Title 3-Page Typed Document Going Over the New Pay Rates of Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaids Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description A three-page document given to mermaid Geanie Brooks detailing updated pay rates for Weeki Wachee Mermaids, effective August 1, 1956. The document expresses that the pay increase was made in order to attract better performers and better retain current staff. Mermaids were still going to be paid per show, and still required to take promotional photos and photos with visitors for no additional pay. Under the new rules, mermaids were going to be paid $2.30 per unit. The pay per unit would increase ten cents every month a mermaid performs until it reached the maximum rate of $4.70. Performing a show equaled one unit, and performing extra duties qualified mermaids for exta partial units. There were other ways to make money at Weeki Wachee, including training new mermaids. When a trainee performed their first show, the trainer would recieve $100. If the trainee didn't qualify, the trainer received $25. Trainees were paid $75 a month, plus room and board. After passing training, they would become extras in shows. In this position, they would make $170 a month. When a position of mermaid opened up, the extra who had been an extra the longest would move up. Mermaids received double pay for working on holidays. Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract 3-Page typed document Type Still Image Source Original two-page document "New Basis of Pay for Mermaids Effective August 1, 1956," 1956: Private collection of Shirley Herdge. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created 1956-08-01 Date Copyrighted 1956-08-01 Format image/pdf Extent 6.74 MB Medium 8.5 x 11, Three-page typed document Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Shirley Herdge and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Shirley Herdge External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of three-page document: Shirley Herdge, 1956. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Shirley Herdfe, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Brooksville Florida tourism Geanie Brooks mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism Shirley Herdge tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/15120820f2dfa727b07f1ffc25c493cb.jpg d7722a4fce5bed3810b3736d0154b4d2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Collection Alternative Title Weeki Wachee Collection Description Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Subject Weeki Wachee (Fla.) Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida Springs--Florida Parks--Florida Contributor Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky" Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Hernando County Collection</a>, RICHES. Language eng Type Collection Spatial Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs, Spring Hill, Florida Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/map/" target="_blank">RICHES MI</a> External Reference "<a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html. Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005. Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Contributing Project Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid Performance Evaluation Sheet Alternative Title Mermaid Performance Evaluation Subject Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.) Tourism--Florida tourism & museum Tourism--1960-1980 Ballet--1970-1980 Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History Theater--20th century Description Performance evaluation of Geanie Brooks. The text reads: "Geanie 1. Dive 2. Introduction – Not long enough 3. Length of time replacing face mask 4. Back Dolphin – Not centered 5. Surface to Limb – check mark 6. Swim to buoyancy position – okay check mark 7. Buoyancy – check mark 8. Swim to fish feeding – check mark 9. Fish feeding – check mark 10. Swim to limb – check mark 11. Asking in – check mark 12. Eating – check mark 13. Drinking 14. Clearing face mask – check mark 15. Getting off limb – check mark 16. Double hose breathing – hands a. 1st position 2nd position 3rd position 17. Swim to stage 18. Asking in: positions – good, gestures – good, coming over the top – good 19. Bringing hose to deep dive girl 20. Deep dive: swim to hole – check, descent to stick – not profile -, ballet positions – check mark, ballet- could be smoother – get in standing position before going into arab (arabesque), length of deep dive – could be longer 21. Stage ballet 22. Adagio - good 23. Rating of show – good 24. Comments" Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history. Abstract Typed and hand-written page Type Still Image Source Original performance evaluation of Geanie Brooks, c. 1960s: Private collection of Shirley Herdge. Is Part Of <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES. Coverage Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida Creator Weeki Wachee Spring State Park Young, Genie Publisher <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> Date Created ca. 1960-1970 Date Copyrighted ca. 1960-1970 Format image/jpeg Extent 96.3 MB Medium 8.5 x 11, Typed and hand-written page Language eng Mediator History Teacher Humanitites Teacher Visual Arts Teacher Theater Teacher Rights Holder Copyright to this resource is held by Shirley Herdge and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only. Accrual Method Donation Contributing Project Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Curator Schwandt, Rebecca Source Repository Private Collection of Shirley Herdge External Reference Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. Ammidown, Margot. “Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions.” The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 23, (1998): 238-259. Georgiadis, Bonnie and Lu Vickers. Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012. Hollis, Tim. Glass Bottom Boats and Mermaid Tails: Florida’s Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2006. Pelland, Dan and Maryan Pelland. Images of America: Weeki Wachee. Mount Pleasant: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Revels, Tracy J. Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011. Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007. Is Format Of Digital Reproduction of page: Geanie Brooks, c. 1960s. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida. Provenance Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs, owned by Shirley Herdge, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>. Digital Collection <a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a> Brooksville Florida tourism Geanie Brooks Genie Young mermaids Rebecca Schwandt roadside attractions roadside tourism Shirley Herdge tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Springs State Park