1
100
102
-
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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>." <em>Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189.</em>
Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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>." <em>Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189.</em>
Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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>." <em>Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189.</em>
Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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>." <em>Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189.</em>
Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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>." <em>Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189.</em>
Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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>." <em>Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189.</em>
Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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>." <em>Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189.</em>
Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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>." <em>Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189.</em>
Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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>." <em>Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189.</em>
Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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>." <em>Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189.</em>
Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &amp</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &amp</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &amp</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &amp</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &amp</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &amp</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &amp</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &amp</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &amp</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &amp</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></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"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></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/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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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 <span>Schumacher</span>, 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<p>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.</p>
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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."<br /><br /> 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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." <br /><br />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/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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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. <br /><br /> 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/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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<p>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.</p>
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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
<p>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.</p>
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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
<p>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.</p>
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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!'"<br /><br /> 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
<p>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.</p>
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<p>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.</p>
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<p>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.</p>
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<p>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.</p>
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<p>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.</p>
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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
<p>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.</p>
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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
<p>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.</p>
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<p>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.</p>
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /><br />
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /><br />
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /><br />
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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."<br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /><br />
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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"<br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /><br />
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
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/22cd17b04b165cff55fe251488e80029.jpg
dec105f3facc5d83c4129119fb2497cc
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Hand-written Note Admitting Becky Young into Weeki Wachee Springs for Interview
Alternative Title
Hand-Written Note from Genie Young to Pat, Requesting Becky Young's Admittance into Weeki Wachee Springs for Interview
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
tourism & museum
Tourism--1960-1980
Ballet--1970-1980
Mermaids--Florida--Weeki Wachee--History
Theater--20th century
Description
Hand-written note from mermaid manager Genie Young to Pat, requesting Becky Young's addmitance into Weeki Wachee Springs. The note reads, " Pat, Please admit Becky- She is a try-out and hopefully trainee." Becky was interviewing to become a mermaid.<br /><br /> 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
Hand-written note
Type
Still Image
Source
Original note written by Genie Young, February 20, 1973: Private Collection of Becky Young.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES.
Has Format
.
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
1973-02-20
Date Copyrighted
1973-02-20
Format
image/jpeg
Extent
26 MB
Medium
Hand-written note on paper
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 Becky 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 nd-written note: Becky Young, 1973. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida
Provenance
Originally created by Genie Young, 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>
Becky Young
Brooksville
Florida tourism
Genie Young
mermaids
Rebecca Schwandt
Rebecca Young
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attraction
Weeki Wachee Springs
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/35a8e64dec7a0c5eda53d52016a1ef00.jpg
332a45b957c60a413fbce5988f5867d2
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Newspaper Article Announcing the Employment of Rebecca Young as a Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid
Alternative Title
Marshalltown Times-Republican Article Announcing Rebecca Young's (then Stahlhut) Employment as a Weeki Wachee Mermaid
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 newspaper article published on February 22, 1973, in the Marshalltown Times-Republican announcing Rebecca Young's (then Rebecca Stalhhut) employment as a Weeki Wachee Mermaid. The article reads, "Becky Stahlhut, a mid-term graduate of Marshalltown High School has been accepted to swim as a mermaid in the world famous Spring of Live Mermaids at Weeki Wachi [sic], Fla. She was a member of the MHS girls swim team, synchronized swim group, intructor and life guard at the YMCA and on the Y swim team. Becky is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ron Stalhhut of St. Petersburg, Fla., formerly of Marshalltown."<br /><br /> 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
Newspaper article
Type
Still Image
Source
Original Newspaper Article: "Miss Stahlhut To be 'Mermaid'", Marshalltown Times-Republican article, February 22,1973: Private Collection of Becky 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
Marshalltown Times-Republican
Publisher
Marshalltown Times-Republican
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
1973-02-22
Date Copyrighted
1973-02-22
Format
image/jpeg
Extent
21.1 MB
Medium
Newspaper article cut out and taped together.
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanitites Teacher
Visual Arts Teacher
Theater Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Marshalltown Times-Republican, owned by Rebecca Young, and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by the Marshalltown Times-Republican 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 Becky Young.
External Reference
Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. <br /><br /><br />
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 ticket: Becky Young, 1973. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida.
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Becky Young
Brooksville
Florida tourism
Genie Young
Marshalltown, Iowa
mermaids
Rebecca Schwandt
Rebecca Young
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
St. Petersburg, Florida
tourist attraction
Weeki Wachee Springs
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/bfe8789109f66dcc1558203135d3e329.jpg
562e4c0597638abbf7662b90bf052fce
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Courtesy Admission Ticket to Weeki Wachee Springs
Alternative Title
Courtesy Admission Ticket to Weeki Wachee Springs, given to Rebecca Young on February 20, 1973
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 courtesy admission ticket to Weeki Wachee Springs, good for one free viewing of an underwater show. The ticket was given to Rebecca Young (then Rebecca Stalhart) on the day of her pre-employment interview and water test, February 20, 1973. Rebecca was interviewing for a position as mermaid<br /><br /> 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
Courtesy Admission ticket for Weeki Wachee Springs.
Type
Still Image
Source
Original admission ticket to Weeki Wachee Springs, February 20, 1973: Private Collection of Becky 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
1973-02-20
Date Copyrighted
1973-02-20
Format
image/jpeg
Extent
9.08 MB
Medium
3.5 x 2 inch ticket with teal lettering.
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 RICHES 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 Becky Young.
External Reference
Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013.<br /><br />
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 ticket: Becky Young, 1973. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida.
Provenance
Originally created by Newton "Newt" Perry, 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>
Becky Young
Brooksville
Florida tourism
Genie Young
mermaids
Rebecca Schwandt
Rebecca Young
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attraction
Weeki Wachee Springs
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/508614ab440eeea12b4a652f5d124b59.jpg
c76dbeff6945940cc9aba22badcdfce5
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Note from Manager of Weeki Wachee to Becky Young Requesting Interview
Alternative Title
Typed Note, Written by Weeki Wachee Employee to Becky Young Requesting Interview, 1973
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 typed note on card stock the size of a business card sent to Rebecca Young from Weeki Wachee Springs, requesting her to come by for an interview. Text reads, "Rebecca: Come up as soon as you can for water test and pre-employment interview." The name of the person who sent the note is obscured.<br /><br /> 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
Note inviting Rebecca Young to interview at Weeki Wachee Springs.
Type
Still Image
Source
Original note from Weeki Wachee Springs to Becky Young, 1973: Private Collection of Becky 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. 1973
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1973
Format
image/jpeg
Extent
2.67 GB
Medium
3.5 x 2 inch note on card stock
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanitites Teacher
Visual Arts Teacher
Theater Teacher
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by Becky Young 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
Source Repository
Private Collection of Becky Young.
External Reference
Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. <br /><br /><br />
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 note: Becky Young, 1973. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida.
Accrual Method
Donation
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Becky Young
Brooksville
Florida tourism
Genie Young
mermaids
Rebecca Schwandt
Rebecca Young
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attraction
Weeki Wachee Springs
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/b19c7b3ef5107c9188727809004cf213.jpg
b3ebc16fc8593f29c7a369f1f33d14e6
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Stock Letter for Those Interested in Becoming Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaids, sent to Becky Young in 1972
Alternative Title
Letter Becky Young Received from Weeki Wachee Springs with an Application
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 typed stock letter sent to Becky Young in 1972 alongside an application for a position as a mermaid. The letter is typed on Weeki Wachee letterhead, which has an image of two performers in a pose underwater as the background. Signed by the Mermaid Supervisor Genie Young, the letter thanks applicants for their interest in the position and gives an overview of the job description and pay schedule. The letter ends asking applicants to send the application and a photograph of themselves back to Genie Young.<br /><br /> 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 inviting prospects to apply to Weeki Wachee Springs.
Type
Still Image
Source
Original letter from Genie Young to Becky Young, c.1973: Private Collection of Becky 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, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
Young, Genie
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca. 1973
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1973
Format
image/jpeg
Extent
96.3 MB
Medium
8 x 11.5 letter on green Weeki Wachee letterhead
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanitites Teacher
Visual Arts Teacher
Theater Teacher
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by Becky Young 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
Source Repository
Private Collection of Becky Young.
External Reference
Allman, T.D. Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013. <br /><br /><br />
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 letter: Becky Young, 1973. Scanned by RICHES Team. RICHES, Orlando, Florida.
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Becky Young
Brooksville
Florida tourism
Genie Young
mermaids
Rebecca Schwandt
Rebecca Young
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attraction
Weeki Wachee Springs
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/5204efd433493b5e2955e124583066fc.jpg
7398a1dd6a2bc0729a0e721257b69899
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 Filming Underwater
Alternative Title
Newton "Newt" Perry with Underwater Camera
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
Diving
Diving suits
Description
A photograph of an underwater filming scene showing Newton "Newt" Perry in a diving helmet at an underwater camera, some time 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.
<br />
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.
<br />
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.
<br />
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 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">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original photograph of underwater filming 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
1.59 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
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">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">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">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." <em>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." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. March 7, 1948.</em>
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/c5e75d534f461cafb5464ee40df54596.jpg
3e9e020ef1ce0d806e4302fad0500a37
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Swimming Area at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Alternative Title
Swimmers at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Mermaids--Florida
Perry, Newton, 1908-1987
Description
A photograph of a swimming area with bathers in front of a building at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Florida, around 1950.
<br />
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.
<br />
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.
<br />
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 swimmers 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">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original photograph of swimmers 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
1.63 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
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">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">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">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." <em>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." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. March 7, 1948.</em>
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/cf280cab2ba2c7017b7e0ad82f65906a.jpg
78be25f869693dec08110409f3bc51a2
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 Diver in Diving Suit
Alternative Title
Underwater Diver
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Mermaids--Florida
Motion pictures--Production and direction
Underwater photography
Florida--In motion pictures
Diving
Diving suits
Perry, Newton, 1908-1987
Underwater cinematography--Equipment and supplies
Description
Photograph of underwater diver in diving suit with a sunken treasure chest, some time between 1950 and1970. The photograph may be either from Weeki Wachee Springs State Park or from Newton "Newt" Perry's career as an underwater filmmaker.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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.
<br />
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 diver in diving suit, ca. 1950-1970: Personal Collection of Delee Perry.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original photograph of underwater diver in diving suit, 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
1.47 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
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">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">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">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." <em>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." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. March 7, 1948.</em>
Delee Perry
diving
diving suits
Florida tourism
mermaids
natural springs
Newton "Newt" Perry
parks
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
swimming
tourist attractions
treasure chest
underwater filmmaking
underwater photography
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/a463f29e15f3945c5d0167bb7c7c55d2.jpg
3bd76f8b9067e783faa1fb9049a63e61
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 Swimming in Front of an 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
A photograph of a mermaid swimming in front of an underwater filming tank created by Newton "Newt" Perry some time between 1950 and 1970. The photograph may be either from Weeki Wachee Springs State Park or from Newton "Newt" Perry's career as an underwater filmmaker.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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">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
2.12 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
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">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">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">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." <em>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." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. March 7, 1948.</em>
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/c245179210ab4bd4ad76d8bb9273de41.jpg
c85bc09d5f0e0d3a4e8c0d71ef1ae819
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Exterior of Underwater Theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Alternative Title
Underwater Theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Mermaids--Florida
Perry, Newton, 1908-1987
Description
An exterior photograph of the underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Florida, around 1950.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park: Personal Collection of Delee Perry.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original photograph of underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.
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
1.77 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
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">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">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">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." <em>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." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. March 7, 1948.</em>
Delee Perry
Florida tourism
mermaids
natural springs
Newton "Newt" Perry
parks
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
underwater theater
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/da166dbaf327eeb32b1a186bf2c36232.jpg
4b8dc539d3a5ffe84627d4a40efc54b8
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/2128feb503193a51806eac496ec65c3b.jpg
df59e91a83a945827a006370d8e6ba04
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Eileen Perry Hogshead
Alternative Title
Weeki Wachee Mermaid
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Mermaids--Florida
Perry, Newton, 1908-1987
Underwater photography
Description
A signed photograph of Eileen Perry Hogshead, the daughter of Newton "Newt" Perry, aged fourteen, as a Weeki Wachee Mermaid. The photograph was taken by Newton Perry around 1950. On the reverse of the photograph is a hand-written caption by Newton.<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br /> 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. <span>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.</span><br /><br /> 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 Images
Source
Original photograph of Eileen Perry Hogshead, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original photograph of Eileen Perry Hogshead, 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
2.26 MB
2.28 MB
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Theater Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Newton "Newt" 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
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">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">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">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." <em>Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189.</em>
Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. March 7, 1948.
Delee Perry
diving
Eileen Perry Hogshead
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/3a5cb89f496ca88982fad79f8b0a04e2.jpg
571bdd1d70444d822ef016b9ec629f03
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 Spring
Alternative Title
Weeki Wachee Spring
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Mermaids--Florida
Perry, Newton, 1908-1987
Underwater photography
Description
Advertising card for Weekiwachee Spring from around 1950.<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br /> 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 Weeki Wachee Springs State Park advertising card, ca. 1950: Personal Collection of Delee Perry.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original advertising card for Weekiwachee Spring, ca. 1950.
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
ca. 1950
Date Issued
ca. 1950
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1950
Format
image/jpeg
Extent
1.01 MB
Language
eng
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 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
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">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">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">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." <em>Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 (6189), 2018. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6189.</em>
Turtle, Howard. "Kansas Citians Stage Shows in Deep Water in Florida." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. March 7, 1948.
advertising
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/fe5f57a36eba5daac91eb181f5ee9ca2.jpg
8698cafa30b398a4f4d8ae0f2c03c0ee
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 Val Darling to Newton "Newt" Perry (March 26, 1981)
Alternative Title
Letter from Darling to Perry (March 26, 1981)
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Mermaids--Florida
Sports--Florida
Athletes--United States
Swimming--Florida
Perry, Newton, 1908-1987
Description
A letter dated March 26, 1981, from the Acting Chairman of the <a href="https://flasportshof.org/" target="_blank">Florida Sports Hall of Fame</a>, Val Darling, to Newton "Newt" Perry, informing Perry of his selection to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame for his "immense contributions to the world of sports" and inviting him to an induction ceremony on April 17, 1981.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 1-page letter from Val Darling to Newton "Newt" Perry, March 26, 1981: Personal Collection of Delee Perry.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original 1-page letter from Val Darling to Newton "Newt" Perry, March 26, 1981.
Coverage
Florida Sports Hall of Fame, Cypress Garden, Florida
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
Darling, Val
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
1981-03-26
Date Issued
1981-03-26
Date Copyrighted
1981-03-26
Format
image/jpeg
Extent
997 KB
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Theater Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Val Darling, 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 Val Darling and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
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">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">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">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." <em>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." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. March 7, 1948.</em>
athletics
Delee Perry
diving
Florida Sports Hall of Fame
Florida tourism
mermaids
natural springs
Newton "Newt" Perry
parks
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
swimming
tourist attractions
Val Darling
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/46448d2b6608e6cb8acaa909990c5639.jpg
5e2ff9aced7ecc9017fa6fac50a92be4
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 Gaye Guinta to Delee Perry (March 31, 1997)
Alternative Title
Letter from Guinta to Perry (March 31, 1997)
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
A letter dated March 31, 1997, from the director of the <a href="https://museumoffloridahistory.com/" target="_blank">Museum of Florida History</a>, Gaye Guita, to Delee Perry. In the letter, printed on <a href="https://dos.myflorida.com/" target="_blank">Florida Department of State</a> letterhead, Gaye Guita invites Delee Perry to attend the opening reception for an new exhibit about Florida's film heritage at the Museum of Florida History on April 6, 1997. This exhibit featured and was dedicated to the memory of Perry's father, Newton "Newt" Perry, and Guita thanks Perry for her assistance with the exhibit.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 1-page letter from Gaye Guinta to Delee Perry, March 31, 1997: Personal Collection of Delee Perry.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original 1-page letter from Gaye Guinta to Delee Perry, March 31, 1997.
Coverage
Museum of Florida History, Tallahassee, Florida
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
Guinta, Gaye
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
1997-03-31
Date Issued
1997-03-31
Date Copyrighted
1997-03-31
Format
image/jpeg
Extent
971 KB
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Theater Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Gaye Guinta 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
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">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">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">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." <em>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." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. March 7, 1948.</em>
Delee Perry
diving
Florida tourism
Gaye Guita
mermaids
Museum of Florida History
museums
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/518a6057f3a73a7010b3258d2bcdaf1d.jpg
5bf74b6b75edc4b0619137ce2a90f405
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 Live Mermaids
Alternative Title
Weeki Wachee
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Description
A small poster for Weeki Wachee Springs. The background of the poster is black, featuring a cartoon mermaid and three fish. The text reads, "Weeki Wachee Live Mermaids. U.S. 19 and Florida 50."<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 color poster: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original color poster.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Format
image/jpg
Extent
146 KB
Medium
color poster
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Sawhney, Sabrina
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
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">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">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">'Human Fish' Had a Life Filled With Aquatic Exploits</a>." <em>Ocala Star Banner</em>. 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">Revisiting Roadside Attractions: A 'Deep Dive' into Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs</a>." <em>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." <em>Kansas City Star</em>. March 7, 1948.</em>
advertising
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/736e40877eaebb5b48ee177ae6c65e8f.jpg
c8d8e728d1349dcc027ae2e1ea3ecd8d
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
May Museum Exhibit
Alternative Title
Bug Exhibit at the May Museum
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Buildings--Florida
Entomology
Description
The original interior of the May Museum of the Tropics.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher.
Coverage
May Museum, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky"
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca. 1954-1964
Format
C
Extent
179 KB
Medium
black and white photograph
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Sawhney, Sabrina
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Florida tourism
insects
John 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/169150968dff30857c0bc9aa5ec23094.jpg
a15a21cad6cbfb0a8ff1f6551490546d
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 John May to Joe and Martha Seltzer (February 25, 1962)
Alternative Title
Letter from May to the Seltzers(February 25, 1962)
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Buildings--Florida
Entomology
Description
A letter from John May to Joe and Martha Seltzer, the management of Weeki Wachee Springs. The letter details May's sadness that Seltzer was resigning. May expresses that he hopes to remain in contact and that Seltzer and his wife can leave their things in a back room in the museum temporarily while they look for a new place.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 letter from John May to Joe and Martha Seltzer, February 25, 1962: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original letter from John May to Joe and Martha Seltzer, February 25, 1962.
Coverage
May Museum, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
May, John
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
1962-02-25
Format
image/jpg
Extent
104 KB
Medium
1-page typed letter
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by John May and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Sawhney, Sabrina
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Florida tourism
insects
Joe Seltzer
John 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/30c762c07d76c697917440db000f1140.jpg
68833b4d81ca20af887e1fd4c2328c5b
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Inside the May Museum of the Tropics
Alternative Title
May Museum of the Tropics
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Buildings--Florida
Entomology
Description
The original interior of the May Museum of the Tropics in the 1950s. In the months following the photograph, several specimen began to droop and wilt in the cases due to humidity. The owner, John May, was forced to hand make new display cases out of metal and attach them to a dehumidifier.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 by John May: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph by John May.
Coverage
May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
May, John
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca. 1954-1964
Format
image/jpg
Extent
691 KB
Medium
black and white photograph
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by John May and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Florida tourism
insects
John 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/94d7eab0c4b87d89f85fd9cf5b1e5889.jpg
78f0569be5c7e6c87afa362c86d0207d
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Entrance to the May Museum of the Tropics
Alternative Title
May Museum of the Tropics
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Buildings--Florida
Entomology
Description
The entrance of the May Museum of the Tropics. Faux thatched roof, tiki sculptures, and a list of countries the insects in the collection came from adorn the space, giving it an exotic feel.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 by John May: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph by John May.
Coverage
May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
May, John
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca. 1954-1964
Format
image/jpg
Extent
2.24 MB
Medium
black and white photograph
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by John May and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Florida tourism
insects
John 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/162f78cb8b2649510c112b8cbea76778.jpg
ca512be0fee326b8f9ab481e0de364e0
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Construction of Hercules Beetle Sculpture at Weeki Wachee Springs
Alternative Title
Hercules Beetle Sculpture Lowered into Place at Weeki Wachee Springs
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Description
A team of people guide the placement of a Hercules beetle sculpture in the 1950s. A crane lowers the sculpture in place near the May Museum of the Tropics at Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida. The large beetle sculpture served as an advertisement to attract visitors to the museum.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 by John May: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph by John May.
Coverage
May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
May, John
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca. 1954-1956
Format
image/jpg
Extent
3.54 MB
Medium
black and white photograph
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by John May and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
construction
Florida tourism
insects
John 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/df24536d16bde2057b8c41f232488fa8.pdf
2c5b0ed57c8d0e2da0f40a6ad1f78ef5
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 Myrtle Colson to John May (February 11, 1961)
Alternative Title
Letter from Colson to May (February 11, 1961)
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Entomology
Description
A letter from the manager of the the May Museum of the Tropics, Myrtle Colson, to the owner of the museum, John May. The letter details concerns that the manager was having with an employee as well as her complaints about being excluded from certain business matters. 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.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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.
Table Of Contents
Type
Text
Source
Original 3-page letter from Myrtle Colson to John May, February 11, 1961: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Requires
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original 3-page letter from Myrtle Colson to John May, February 11, 1961.
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/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
1961-02-11
Format
application/pdf
Extent
10.6 MB
Medium
3-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/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Florida tourism
insects
John 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/bcccd8c2c87461f9554f0790c15ff4a0.pdf
779c287e1f63eed0f658bee57326d5b6
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Employee Rules and Regulations for the May Museum of the Tropics
Alternative Title
May Museum of the Tropics Employee Handbook
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Employee handbooks
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Entomology
Description
Six pages of the May Museum of the Tropics employee handbook. The owner of the museum, John May, created the handbook for his employees to follow in the 1960s. The table of contents on the first three pages gives insight to what is included in the missing pages of the handbook. The other three pages explain how employees should approach the public, list what actions are and are not permitted, and provide instructions for handling an emergency.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 8-page typewritten handbook by John May: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Requires
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original 8-page typewritten handbook by John May.
Coverage
May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
May, John
Publisher
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a>
Date Created
ca. 1963-07
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1963-07
Format
application/pdf
Extent
12.3 MB
Medium
8-page typed handbook
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by John May and published by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
employee handbook
Florida tourism
insects
John 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/5d8d39c02132950b682c38c6ff8d1026.jpg
018cf76a596f45b763f79d40b152b3a4
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Sunbathing at Weeki Wachee Springs
Alternative Title
Weeki Wachee Springs
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Description
A postcard of Weeki Wachee Springs sometime in the late 1950s. Louise Nan Steer mentions this postcard in her oral history interview because the blonde girl in the pink bathing suit in the center of the postcard is her twin sister, Lynda. The rest of the women are mermaids that worked at the park. Louise stated that several times during photoshoots, the photographer would gather whoever was available to fill the shot. This is how Lynda became a part of the postcard even though she was not a Weeki Wachee mermaid.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 3.5 x 5 color postcard by Weeki Wachee Springs: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original 3.5 x 5 color postcard by Weeki Wachee Springs.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/" target=”_blank”>Weeki Wachee Springs</a>
Publisher
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>
Date Created
ca. 1950-1963
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1950-1963
Format
image/jpg
Extent
5.35 MB
Medium
color postcard
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created and published by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Florida tourism
mermaids
natural springs
parks
Postcards
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/53adb0cf698f434c37d1b0445f5cab74.jpg
1bdc1e217930e4389b34661bd6d176d2
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
John May Building the May Museum of the Tropics
Alternative Title
John May Building the May Museum
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Buildings--Florida
Entomology
Description
John May at the foundation of the May Museum of the Tropics at Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida. The date written on the photograph is November 20th, 1953.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph.
Coverage
May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
1953-11-20
Format
image/jpg
Extent
2.03 MB
Medium
black and white photograph
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
construction
Florida tourism
John 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/5dfeec3ce19e2c5128585f7718f7b670.jpg
18433e1f058f7f6265effaed939f466a
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Orchid Gardens at Weeki Wachee Springs
Alternative Title
Weeki Wachee Spring's Orchid Gardens
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Buildings--Florida
Entomology
Description
Orchid Gardens at Weeki Wachee Springs. The hothouse, which allowed visitors to view a variety of orchids, was one of the original attractions to join the mermaid show at Weeki Wachee Springs.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 by John M. May: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph by John M. May.
Coverage
Orchid Gardens, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
May, John M.
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca.1954-1964
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1954-1964
Format
image/jpg
Extent
2.23 MB
Medium
black and white photograph
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by John M. May and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Florida tourism
John M. May
natural springs
Orchid Gardens
orchids
parks
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/69d441652490ca61aaa47ac114b9ad9d.jpg
68c797a3f26814874381057b9cd1461b
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 John M. May to Myrtle Colson (September 27, 1958)
Alternative Title
Letter from May to Colson (September 27, 1958)
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Entomology
Description
A letter from John M. May, owner of the May Museum of the Tropics, to the manager of the museum, Myrtle Colson, dated September 27, 1958. May reassures Colson that she is doing fine, expressing remorse for the losing an employee and hope that their replacement is a good fit for the position. May also mentions that he is working on creating a sculpture of a hercules beetle that he plans to place in front of the museum to help drum up business.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 typewritten letter from John M. May to Myrtle Colson, September 27, 1958: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original 1-page typewritten letter from John M. May to Myrtle Colson, September 27, 1958.
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/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
1958-09-27
Format
image/jpg
Extent
3.52 MB
Medium
1-page typewritten letter
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by John M. May and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></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/0106e4f2aa5afe5e44d90dbb593c737e.jpg
ebf0102ea32f83698f00bcbf5b4e5996
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 Myrtle Colson to John M. May (June 1, 1958)
Alternative Title
Letter from Colson to May (June 1, 1958)
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Entomology
Description
A letter from Myrtle Colson, manager of the May Museum of the Tropics, to the owner of the museum, John M. May, dated June 1, 1958. Colson tells May about the increasing sales to the museum due to efforts of the new owner of Weeki Wachee Springs, and discusses a new employee.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 typewritten letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May, June 1, 1958: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original 1-page typewritten letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May, June 1, 1958.
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/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
1958-06-01
Format
image/jpg
Extent
3.48 MB
Medium
1-page typewritten letter
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Myrtle Colson and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></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/a80486b145f9b8e991cdedfa354a881e.jpg
8d776f01758b9c1f7fcf15ac9ceee5bb
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 John M. May to John T. Greighten (November 20, 1963)
Alternative Title
Letter from May to Greighten (November 20, 1963)
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Entomology
Description
A letter from John M. May, owner of the May Museum of the Tropics, to John T. Creighten, an employee of the Department of Entomology at the University fo Florida, dated November 20, 1963. replying to Mr. Creighten's interest in the museum and its collection. In response to Creighten's interest in the museum and its collection, May invited him to visit. May points out that the museum would close permanently that December due to decisions made by the owners of Weeki Wachee Springs.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 typewritten letter from John M. May to John T. Greighten, November 20, 1963: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original 1-page typewritten letter from John M. May to John T. Greighten, November 20, 1963.
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/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
1963-11-20
Format
image/jpg
Extent
2.59 MB
Medium
2-page typewritten letter
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by John M. May and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
entomology
Florida tourism
insects
John M. May
John T. Creighten
May Museum of the Tropics
museums
natural springs
parks
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
University of Florida
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/b5465c2c90b279d3e1c24898116b7f08.pdf
39d823aa90860689af327aadc16e38c3
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 Myrtle Colson to John M. May (February 25, 1959)
Alternative Title
Letter from Colson to May (February 25, 1959)
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Entomology
Description
A letter from Myrtle Colson, manager of the May Museum of the Tropics, to the owner of the museum, John M. May, dated February 25, 1959. Colson discusses a surprise audit from the owners of Weeki Wachee, The Florida Chain of Theaters. She writes that a comptroller visited the museum, inquiring about the museum's accounting books and records of business. <br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 2-page typewritten letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May, February 25, 1959: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Requires
<a href="https://acrobat.adobe.com/us/en/acrobat/pdf-reader.html" target="_blank">Adobe Acrobat Reader</a>
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original 2-page typewritten letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May, February 25, 1959.
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/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
1959-02-25
Format
application/pdf
Extent
7.70 MB
Medium
2-page typewritten letter
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Myrtle Colson and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
accounting
audit
Florida Chain of Theaters
Florida tourism
integration
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/8c7a73eb55ce7750158f235cfef6435b.pdf
34567064cdc9c02557a411f706001069
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 Myrtle Colson to John M. May (March 28, 1956)
Alternative Title
Letter from Colson to May (March 28, 1956)
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Entomology
Description
A letter from Myrtle Colson, manager of the May Museum of the Tropics, to the owner of the museum, John M. May, dated March 28, 1956. Myrtle writes that earlier in the day, she allowed an African-American couple to enter the museum, as he had instructed employees to do. Later in the day, after news spread to Joe Seltzer, manager of Weeki Wachee Springs, he reprimanded her and instructed her not to let any other African-Americans in the museum. He also told her to put up a sign that read, "We reserve the right to refuse admission to anyone". Myrtle writes that she tried to defend her decision, citing a Supreme Court decision, to which Seltzer replied that the decision did not apply to the Springs.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 2-page typewritten letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May, March 28, 1956: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Requires
<a href="https://acrobat.adobe.com/us/en/acrobat/pdf-reader.html" target="_blank">Adobe Acrobat Reader</a>
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original 2-page typewritten letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May, March 28, 1956.
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/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
1956-03-28
Format
application/pdf
Extent
7.85 MB
Medium
2-page typewritten letter
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Myrtle Colson and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Florida tourism
insects
Joe Seltzer
John M. May
May Museum of the Tropics
museums
Myrtle Colson
natural springs
parks
racial discrimination
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
segregation
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/1b9b4aad159ed91c3014443c610cb112.jpg
f7246c7720fdd407bffe4ba72d90969f
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 John M. May to Directors of St. Petersburg Springs Co (January 28, 1957)
Alternative Title
Letter from May to Directors of St. Petersburg Springs Co (January 28, 1957)
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 directors of the St. Petersburg Springs Co., owners of Weeki Wachee Springs, dated January 28, 1957. May discusses his concerns with management and inquires about construction plans.<br /><br />
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.<br /><br />
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 typewritten letter from John M. May to Directors of St. Petersburg Springs Co, January 28, 1957: <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com//">May Natural History Museum</a> Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original 1-page typewritten letter from John M. May to Directors of St. Petersburg Springs Co, January 28, 1957.
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/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
1957-01-28
Format
image/jpg
Extent
5.11 MB
Medium
1-page typewritten letter
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by John M. May and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://coloradospringsbugmuseum.com/">May Natural History Museum</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Florida tourism
insects
John M. May
May Museum of the Tropics
museums
natural springs
parks
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
St. Petersburg Springs Co
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/ae467d5123de53df10d5e652555645d0.pdf
8284aaaf6a2261778a395449be3b4531
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
General Company Rules for Mermaids, Swimmers & Trainees
Alternative Title
Weeki Wachee Springs Employee Handbook
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Employee handbooks
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Description
Weeki Wachee Springs employee handbook for mermaids, swimmers and trainees. The first four pages detail scheduling rules, dress code and rules of conduct. Some of the rules for mermaids cover what makeup to wear in and out of the water, where to keep bathing suits and costumes, how to act in the villa, how to announce the shows, as well as how to act in public when off duty. Pages 5-10 detail safety measures for diving. There are rules for how to care for the sinus, answers to an air lock test, and a list of diving diseases and their symptoms.<br /><br />
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.
Type
Still Images
Source
10-page typewritten handbook by Weeki Wachee Springs, c.1950s: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> Weeki Wachee, Florida.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original 10-page typewritten handbook by Weeki Wachee Springs.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
Weeki Wachee Springs
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca. 1950-1959
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1950-1959
Format
application/pdf
Extent
1.2 MB
Medium
10-page typed employee handbook
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created and published by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
employee handbook
Florida tourism
mermaids
natural springs
parks
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/2581b310baaddd7dda4a2ad4419178fb.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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Alternative Title
Weeki Wachee Indian Mound
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Excavations (Archaeology)--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--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.<br /><br />
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 color photograph by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> Weeki Wachee, Florida.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original color photograph by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky"
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca. 1970-07
Format
image/jpg
Extent
58.6 KB
Medium
color photograph
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Unknown. "<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160410041139/http://aoghs.org/oil-almanac/sinclair-dinosaur/" target="_blank">Dinosaur Fever- Sinclair's Icon</a>." Petroleum History Almanac. https://web.archive.org/web/20160410041139/http://aoghs.org/oil-almanac/sinclair-dinosaur/
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
archeology
Bonnie Georgiadis
Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher
Florida tourism
Native Americans
natural springs
parks
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
University of Florida
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/e43d548cbb16c19aab1ee6fa8511f2c6.pdf
564de2316dd1e5d84ea77aa900bf23c8
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Sinclair Gas Station
Alternative Title
Dino Service Station
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Buildings--Florida
Service stations
Description
A postcard featuring the dinosaur-shaped Sinclair Gas Station in Weeki Wachee Springs. A handwritten note by Bonita Colson accompanies the postcard, describing a mobile home rental park across the street from the gas station that Weeki Wachee mermaids would frequently rent. She also notes that the dinosaur-shaped gas station was the only one of its kind in the world.<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br /> The Sinclair Oil Corporation was founded on May 1, 1916. The corporation created dinosaur exhibits in several world's fairs that featured a brontosaurus, which was the company's mascot. Other promotional materials featuring the dinosaur included bobble head toys and inflatables.
Type
Still Images
Source
Original color postcard Sinclair Oil Corporation and original handwritten note by Bonita Colson: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">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">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original color postcard by Sinclair Oil Corporation and handwritten note by Bonita Colson.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Sinclair Gas Station, Brooksville Florida
Creator
Sinclair Oil Corporation
Bonita Colson
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca. 1950-1959
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1950-1959
Format
image/jpg
Extent
13.8 MB
Medium
color postcard and handwritten note
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created and published by Sinclair Oil Corporation and Bonita Colson.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>
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. Nersesian, Roy L. Energy for the 21st Century: A Comprehensive Guide to Conventional and Alternative Sources. Armonk: M.E. Sharpe, Inc., 2010. 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. Unknown. "Dinosaur Fever- Sinclair's Icon." Petroleum History Almanac. https://web.archive.org/web/20160410041139/http://aoghs.org/oil-almanac/sinclair-dinosaur/ Vickers, Lu. Weeki Wachee City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida’s Oldest Roadside Attractions. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Bonita Colson
filling stations
Florida tourism
gas stations
Holiday Inn
natural springs
parks
Postcards
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
service stations
Sinclair Oil Corporation
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/621a1095568afa1fae0f8bd369d09f83.jpg
9892c71af9120e4ba7be08e6df415301
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/5c884ca090669b32a5a51d3d031e944a.jpg
fb58bce72ab9a6e9b712e4989c25ffa8
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 Motel
Alternative Title
The Mermaid Motel
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Mermaids--Florida
Hotels--Florida
Buildings--Florida
Description
A postcard showcasing the lobby of the Mermaid Motel, which was located directly across the street from Weeki Wachee Springs. Two cars are parked under a pavilion next to the building. The back of the postcard features an add that describes the amenities of the motel, including comfortable rooms and a restaurant.<br /><br /> 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 Images
Source
Original color postcard by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher, Florida Natural Color and Mermaid Motel: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">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">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original color postcard by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher, Florida Natural Color and Mermaid Motel.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Brooksville, Florida
Creator
Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky"
Florida Natural Color
Mermaid Motel
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca. 1950-1959
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1950-1959
Format
image/jpg
Extent
13.7 MB
Medium
color postcard
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created and published by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher, Mermaid Motel and Florida Natural Color, Inc.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &amp</em></a>
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher
Florida tourism
hotels
Mermaid Motel
mermaids
natural springs
parks
Postcards
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/7092f399370254198ef3fe1edc6a0a54.jpg
d8a468c8cffe4bed2c09f49f205fed8b
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/03fa0b58c404d003e124a9075ddbbbf4.jpg
e01cb4270a990a0781fe95efdf00e24c
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Greetings from Weeki Wachee, Florida
Alternative Title
Holiday Inn, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Hotels--Florida
Buildings--Florida
Description
A postcard depicting several Weeki Wachee mermaids lounging around the pool of the local Holiday Inn with the words "Greetings From Weeki Wachee, Florida" printed on the front. The back of the postcard features an ad for the Holiday Inn that lists the hotels amenities and location. The postcard was mailed with an 8 cent Eisenhower stamp to Randolph, New York, in 1975. The author, Helen, describes her activities in Florida. She went swimming and was planning to go to the Red Fish for dinner.<br /><br /> 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 Images
Source
Original color postcard by Holiday Inn, Claude Long and Curteich Color: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">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">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original color postcard by Holiday Inn, Claude Long and Curteich Color.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Brooksville, Florida
Creator
Holiday Inn
Long, Claude
Curteich Color
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Contributor
Chase, Helen
Date Created
ca. 1970-1975
Date Issued
ca. 1975
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1970-1975
Format
image/jpg
Extent
14.0 MB
Medium
color postcard
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created and published by Holiday Inn, Claude Long and Curteich Color.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &amp</em></a>
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Claude Long
Curteich Color
Florida tourism
Holiday Inn
hotels
mermaids
natural springs
parks
pools
Postcards
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/17a6adeaed8438cdaa648e364c33a91e.jpg
71c92cf85701099b0d867678b4767945
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 Villa
Alternative Title
Weeki Wachee's Mermaid Villa
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Mermaids--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Buildings--Florida
Description
The Mermaid Villa building at Weeki Wachee Springs. Mermaids used the building to change into their costumes for their underwater performances, shower after their performances, and lounge while on break.<br /><br />
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 by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> Weeki Wachee, Florida.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky"
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca.1960-1969
Format
image/jpg
Extent
1.22 MB
Medium
black and white photograph
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher
Florida tourism
Mermaid Villa
mermaids
natural springs
parks
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/614adfcd7d684045108672b35327e478.jpg
8728b8c5b3e30adb25a9e2f6c3b8b402
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Baboon and Raccoon from Weeki Wachee's Jungle Cruise
Alternative Title
Raccoon and Baboon from Weeki Wachee's Jungle Cruise
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Animal training
Description
A raccoon and caged baboon on the river bank of the Weeki Wachee River. This river was used for Weeki Wachee Spring's Jungle Cruise attraction. This attraction would take guests down the river in a glass bottom boat, where they would observe caged animals along the river's edge.<br /><br />
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 by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> Weeki Wachee, Florida.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky"
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
1952-11-02
Format
image/jpg
Extent
1.15 MB
Medium
black and white photograph
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
animal training
baboon
Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher
Florida tourism
Jungle Cruise
natural springs
parks
raccoon
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/fff78c7caf28375a6638a03ed9158874.jpg
00c3420c9562c611004ef9a21a6bd6ad
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
John Hamlet with Boar
Alternative Title
John Hamlet and Boar
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Animal training
Description
John Hamlet, naturalist, placing his hand into a trained boar's mouth as part of an attraction at Weeki Wachee Springs.<br /><br />
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 by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> Weeki Wachee, Florida.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky"
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca. 1963-09
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1963-09
Format
image/jpg
Extent
11.2 MB
Medium
black and white photograph
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
animal training
boar
Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher
Florida tourism
John Hamlet
natural springs
naturalist
parks
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/e1bcedb905601e103c39c668623f045a.jpg
024622fc1531acba169218b9e69b53c5
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 with Boar on Leash
Alternative Title
Weeki Wachee Mermaids with Boar
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Mermaids--Florida
Animal training
Description
Two mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs walking a young boar on a leash.<br /><br />
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 by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> Weeki Wachee, Florida.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky"
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca. 1960-1969
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1960-1969
Format
image/jpg
Extent
11.3 MB
Medium
black and white photograph
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
animal training
boar
Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher
Florida tourism
mermaids
natural springs
parks
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/a3bb56c5bb6d6c2842aeecd421ab6f14.jpg
d6ebe4e4df81ad51bd53f1e97e1cfc52
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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
Rita King with Juvenile Alligators
Alternative Title
Rita King with Baby Alligators
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Mermaids--Florida
Alligators
Description
Rita King, mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs, holding two juvenile alligators.<br /><br />
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 by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> Weeki Wachee, Florida.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky"
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Contributor
King, Rita
Date Created
ca. 1963-1968
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1963-1968
Format
image/jpg
Extent
7.82 MB
Medium
black and white photograph
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
alligators
Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher
Florida tourism
mermaids
natural springs
parks
Rebecca Schwandt
Rita King
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/261275c8749cc480476ab1a94ef77b60.pdf
f2f1ba0d0dc2238faf23a190e14862f9
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 Tanzler with Weeki Wachee Mermaids and Press Release
Alternative Title
Weeki Wachee Mermaids with Ann Tanzler and Press Release
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Mermaids--Florida
Description
Ann Tanzler, wife of Jacksonville Mayor Hans G. Tanzler, putting on a diving mask with the aid of two Weeki Wachee mermaids. An accompanying press release sent out on November 22, 1971, describes the busy life of Ann Tanzler, who, on top of being a homemaker, mother and qualified parachuter, was being trained in the art of underwater ballet.<br /><br />
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 by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> Weeki Wachee, Florida.
1-page press release by News Bureau, November 22,1971: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> Weeki Wachee, Florida.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher.
Digital reproduction of original press release by News Bureau, November 22, 1971.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky"
News Bureau
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
1971-11-22
Date Copyrighted
1971-11-22
Format
application/pdf
Extent
24.8 MB
Medium
black and white photograph
1-page typed press release
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Ann Tanzler
Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher
Florida tourism
Jacksonville
mermaids
natural springs
parks
press release
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/d165beb0bf6357da140dbd955eee4c71.jpg
05133797fba0e855bab48589627f9b26
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 with Report Card
Alternative Title
Weeki Wachee Mermaid and Report Card
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Mermaids--Florida
Description
A Weeki Wachee Springs mermaid posing underwater with a report card. The card includes grades for bathing, ballet, breathing and boys.<br /><br />
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’, a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo. As theme parks became the new norm for Florida’s tourist industry, Weeki Wachee Springs steadily declined 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.
Type
Still Image
Source
Original black and white photograph by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> Weeki Wachee, Florida.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky"
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca. 1960-1979
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1960-1979
Format
image/jpg
Extent
8.72 MB
Medium
black and white photograph
Language
eng
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher
Florida tourism
mermaids
natural springs
parks
Rebecca Schwandt
report card
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
-
https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/files/original/b1152a37ca5243d0e6d87c985909bab3.jpg
0636eb5ea173adfe488acded276f7cb3
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
<span>"</span><a href="http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html" target="_blank">History of Weeki Wachee Springs</a><span>." Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. http://weekiwachee.com/about-us/history-of-weeki-wachee-springs.html.</span>
<span>Pelland, Maryan, and Dan Pelland. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67516850" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a><span>. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2005.</span>
<span>Vickers, Lu, and Bonnie Georgiadis. </span><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/780478262" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography</em></a><span>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.</span>
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 and Weeki Wachee Mermaids
Alternative Title
Bonnie Georgiadis with Weeki Wachee Mermaids
Subject
Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)
Tourism--Florida
Springs--Florida
Parks--Florida
Mermaids--Florida
Description
Bonnie Georgiadis and three other Weeki Wachee mermaids training for future performances by practicing a pose. Bonnie Georgiadis was a mermaid from 1950 to 1968. After retiring from underwater theater, she took on other responsibilities at the park, working a total of 37 years.<br /><br />
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 by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher: <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> Weeki Wachee, Florida.
Requires
Is Part Of
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/collections/show/63" target="_blank">Weeki Wachee Collection</a>, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.
Has Format
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher.
Coverage
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Creator
Schumacher, Elmer "Sparky"
Publisher
<a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>
Date Created
ca. 1953-1968
Date Copyrighted
ca. 1953-1968
Format
image/jpg
Extent
12.6 MB
Medium
black and white photograph
Mediator
History Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher and published by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a>.
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by <a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a> and is provided here by <a href="https://riches.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES</a> for educational purposes only.
Accrual Method
Donation
Contributing Project
Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project
Curator
Schwandt, Rebecca
Digital Collection
<a href="https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/">RICHES MI</a>
Source Repository
<a href="https://weekiwachee.com/">Weeki Wachee Springs State Park</a>
External Reference
Allman, T.D. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/873617194" target="_blank"><em>Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State</em></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">Edens, Underworlds, and Shrines: Florida’s Small Tourist Attractions</a>." <em>The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts</em> 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"><em>Weeki Wachee mermaids: thirty years of underwater photography</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2012.
Hollis, Tim. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61130658" target="_blank"><em>Glass Bottom Boats &
Mermaid Tails: Florida's Tourist Springs</em></a>. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006.
Pelland, Maryan. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/995504665" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee Springs</em></a>. Arcadia Publishing Inc, 2006. .
Revels, Tracy J. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/666240031" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Paradise: A History of Florida Tourism</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2011.
Vickers, Lu, and Sara Dionne. <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/71237360" target="_blank"><em>Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids: A History of One of Florida's Oldest Roadside Attractions</em></a>. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2007.
Bonnie Georgiadis
Elmer "Sparky" Schumacher
Florida tourism
mermaids
natural springs
parks
Rebecca Schwandt
roadside attractions
roadside tourism
tourist attractions
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park