Letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May (February 25, 1959)

Letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May (February 25, 1959)

Letter from Colson to May (February 25, 1959)

Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)

Tourism--Florida

Springs--Florida

Parks--Florida

Entomology

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.

The May Natural History Museum of the Tropics is a non-profit organization that displays the world’s largest private insect collection. James May acquired the thousands of insects and arthropods that make up the collection from the late 1800s until his death in 1956. John May continued his father’s legacy, building a museum in Weeki Wachee, Florida, that lasted from 1954-1964, and a museum in Colorado that opened in the 1950s and is still open today. John May also took parts of the collection across the United States and Canada to display at fairs and exhibitions.

Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along Florida roadways. The attraction consisted of an amalgamation of vendors, an orchid garden, a river boat tour, as well as the star attraction: a mermaid show that took place in an underwater theater. Eventually, the May Museum of the Tropics, an "abandoned Seminole village", a show called “Birds of Prey”, and a petting zoo were added. After peaking in the 1950s and 1960s, attendance began to decline as theme parks and highways changed the dynamics of Florida's tourism. The State of Florida took over the attraction as a state park in 2008. Since then, the park has focused on appealing to a modern audience while preserving its history.

Colson, Myrtle

Original 2-page typewritten letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May, February 25, 1959: May Natural History Museum Colorado Springs, Colorado.

1959-02-25

Digital reproduction of original 2-page typewritten letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May, February 25, 1959.

Weeki Wachee Collection, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.

application/pdf

7.70 MB

2-page typewritten letter

eng

Text

May Museum of the Tropics, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida

Donation

History Teacher

Originally created by Myrtle Colson and published by RICHES.

Copyright to this resource is held by May Natural History Museum and is provided here by RICHES for educational purposes only.

Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project

Schwandt, Rebecca

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