Weeki Wachee Springs Memo (February 21, 1963)

Weeki Wachee Springs Memo (February 21, 1963)

Weeki Wachee Memo (February 21, 1963)

Weeki Wachee Springs (Fla.)

Tourism--Florida

Springs--Florida

Parks--Florida

Entomology

A memo from Weeki Wachee Springs State Park manager T.P. Brinzo, circulated to all departments, dated February 21, 1963. The memo informed the entirety of the Springs that new equipment had been acquired for the underwater mermaid shows to help prevent drownings. Per the memo, all departments were to set up regular drills to prepare for a drowning scenario.

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

Brinzo, T.P.

Original 1-page typed memo, February 23, 1963: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida.

1963-02-21

Weeki Wachee Collection, Hernando County Collection, RICHES.

image/jpg

3.94 MB

1-page typed memo

eng

Text

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee, Florida

Donation

History Teacher

Humanities Teacher

Originally created by T.P. Brinzo and published by RICHES.

Copyright to this resource is held by Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and is provided here by RICHES for educational purposes only.

Florida Humanities Council Community Grant Program and Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Rebecca Schwandt's Thesis Project

O'Neil, Rhiannon

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