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Letter from Myrtle Colson to John May (February 11, 1961)
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…
Employee Rules and Regulations for the May Museum of the Tropics
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…
Sunbathing at Weeki Wachee Springs
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…
John May Building the May Museum of the Tropics
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. …
Orchid Gardens at Weeki Wachee Springs
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. …
Letter from John M. May to Myrtle Colson (September 27, 1958)
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…
Letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May (June 1, 1958)
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…
Letter from John M. May to John T. Greighten (November 20, 1963)
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…
Letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May (February 25, 1959)
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…
Letter from Myrtle Colson to John M. May (March 28, 1956)
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…
Letter from John M. May to Directors of St. Petersburg Springs Co (January 28, 1957)
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…
General Company Rules for Mermaids, Swimmers & Trainees
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…
Bonnie Georgiadis
Bonnie Georgiadis assisting an archeological dig of a Native American burial mound at Weeki Wachee Springs in July of 1970. She is using archeological tools to uncover a vase. The dig was conducted by the University of Florida.
Along with a group of…
Sinclair Gas Station
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…
Mermaid Motel
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…
Greetings from Weeki Wachee, Florida
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…
Mermaid Villa
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.
Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry…
Baboon and Raccoon from Weeki Wachee's Jungle Cruise
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…
John Hamlet with Boar
John Hamlet, naturalist, placing his hand into a trained boar's mouth as part of an attraction at Weeki Wachee Springs.
Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside…
Weeki Wachee Mermaids with Boar on Leash
Two mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs walking a young boar on a leash.
Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops along…
Rita King with Juvenile Alligators
Rita King, mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs, holding two juvenile alligators.
Along with a group of investors, Newton Perry opened Weeki Wachee Springs to the public in October of 1947. At the time, roadside attractions were becoming popular stops…
Ann Tanzler with Weeki Wachee Mermaids and Press Release
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…
Weeki Wachee Mermaid with Report Card
A Weeki Wachee Springs mermaid posing underwater with a report card. The card includes grades for bathing, ballet, breathing and boys.
Weeki Wachee Springs is a state park that opened to the public in October of 1949 by Newton Perry along with a…
Bonnie Georgiadis and Weeki Wachee Mermaids
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,…
Trained Raccoon
A trained raccoon opening a gift from an employee of Weeki Wachee Springs in the 1950s. For several years, Weeki Wachee offered a "covered wagon" ride through the forest as one of the park's attractions. Along the sides of the forest were a variety…
Abstract of Military Service for William Snow Taylor Jr.
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Internment Card
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Passenger List
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Jacksonville 1944 City Directory
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Passenger List
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Draft Enlistment Card
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
U.S. National Army Cantonment, Camp Devens, Ayer, Mass.
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
USS Floridian
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Service Card
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
SS Huron
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
3rd Infantry Division Stained Glass Window
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Passenger List
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Order to Report
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Stele
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Apalach Diary
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Naturalization Card
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Tellef Lindland
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Internment Card
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
USS Suwanee
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Internment Card
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Draft Registration Card
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Sampson Dolliver Dodrill
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
USS Leviathan, 1918
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
802nd at Camp Sherman
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Troopship Nansemond Brings 5,252 Happy Men
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Sixteenth Census Population for Garrett, Maryland, 1940
A Sixteenth United States census record for Garrett, Maryland for 1940. The census divides the population into categories of name, age, sex, race, marital status, occupants and relation to head of house, status of the house (farm, own, rent), and…
Draft Registration Card, 1917
The draft registration card for Thomas Robert Savage (1892-1941). Approximately 24 million men registered for the draft between 1917-1918. The cards recorded name, age, date and place of birth, race, and occupation, and a corresponding registrar's…
Passenger List, 1918
The passenger list for Colored Company D of the 546th Engineers. The company departed from New York, New York for France on September 25, 1918 on board the SS Oxfordshire. Commodore Isaac Murray (1896?-1947) (fourth from top) was part of this company…
Draft Registration Card, 1917
The draft registration card for Commodore Isaac Murray (1896?-1947). Approximately 24 million men registered for the draft between 1917 and 1918. The cards recorded name, age, date and place of birth, race, and occupation, and a corresponding…
Interment Control Form, 1937
The interment control form for Andrew Jackson (1893-1937). Interment cards are control forms for burial lots in United States national cemeteries. The card provides information such as name, rank, serial number, company, regiment and other service…
Draft Registration Card, 1917
The draft registration card for Andrew Jackson (1893-1937). Approximately 24 million men registered for the draft between 1917 and 1918. The cards recorded name, age, date and place of birth, race, and occupation, and a corresponding registrar's card…
A Side Walk with the Art Festival, 1960-1979
A Side Walk with the Art Festival by Elizabeth Bradley Bentley. The book celebrates two decades of the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival in Winter Park, Florida. Bentley documents the festival's history using newspaper articles, oral history…
Hotel Mason
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Brandon
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Abstract of Military Service for Ian Brandon
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Took His Son's Place in the Ranks
In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s Veterans Legacy Program Project. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in…
Draft List, 1918
A 1918 draft list for Tampa, Hillsborough, Florida. Approximately 24 million men registered for the draft in 1917 and 1918. Those who were drafted reported to their local draft boards and then traveled to camp, where they were inducted into and…
Abstract of Military Service for John Watkins
The abstract of military service for John D. Watkins (1889-1918). The card includes Watkins' name, race, date and place of birth, units and ranks, death date and cause, and who was notified of his death. Though the card designates Watkins as white…
Interment Control Form, 1942
The interment control form for Joseph Williams (1895-1942). Interment cards are control forms for burial lots in United States national cemeteries. The card provides information such as name, rank, serial number, company, regiment and other service…
Draft List, 1918
A 1918 draft list for St. Augustine, Florida. Approximately 24 million men registered for the draft in 1917 and 1918. Those drafted reported to their local draft boards and then traveled to camp, where they would be trained for and inducted into the…
Abstract of Military Service for Carl Oscar Anderson
The abstract of military service for Carl Oscar Anderson (1893-1918). The card includes Anderson's name, age, race, serial number, place of birth, unit and ranks, death date and cause
100 Year Memorial Remembering Roderick "Perry" Taylor
The program for the 100 year memorial ceremony remembering Roderick Perry Taylor and the 564 persons who lost their lives on the R.M.S. Leinster. The event was put together by the Geneva Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc. The four-page…
Memorial Photographs Displayed
Three stands displaying six photographs on stage at the Geneva Community Center in Geneva, Florida. The first stand has a photograph of the headstone of Roderick Perry Taylor and an American flag. The second stand has photographs of Taylor and…
Memorial Wreath
A red, white and blue memorial wreath placed on a stand displaying a photograph of a headstone and an American flag.The Geneva Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc. held a 100 year memorial on October 10, 2018, for Roderick Perry Taylor of…
Posting of the Colors
The posting of the colors ceremony at the Geneva Community Center in Geneva, Florida. Three men stand behind the recently mounted flags to the left of a white podium with a red, white and blue ribbon.The Geneva Historical & Genealogical Society,…
Audience and Stage
The audience at the Geneva Community Center in Geneva, Florida. The three photographs were taken from the back of the room before a memorial program.The Geneva Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc. held a 100 year memorial on October 10, 2018,…
Stage and Podium
The stage and podium at the Geneva Community Center in Geneva, Florida. Three stands holding up several framed photographs line the stage from the left side to the center. On the right of the stage is a white podium with a red, white and blue…
Sing… Be Merry, December 13, 1992
A program for the Orlando Gay Chorus' concert, "Sing... Be Merry", on December 13, 1992, at the Knowles Memorial Chapel at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. The program includes a message from President Bob Smedley, brief biographies of Music…
Pride Concert, June 9 & 10, 1992
A program for the Orlando Gay Chorus' concert, "Proud World, Pride Concert", on June 9 &
Holiday Concert, December 14 & 15, 1991
A program for the Orlando Gay Chorus' concert, "Holiday Concert", on December 14 and 15, 1991, at the Knowles Memorial Chapel at Rollins College. The program includes brief biographies of Music Director Dr. Charles Callahan, and Accompanist and…
Diversity Concert, November 7, 1991
A program for the Orlando Gay Chorus' concert, "Diversity Concert", on November 7, 1991, at the Knowles Memorial Chapel at Rollins College. The program includes program notes, an outline of the show's itinerary, and a brief history of the Orlando Gay…
United In Pride, June 15, 1991
A program for the Orlando Gay Chorus' collaboration concert with the Tampa Bay Gay Men's Chorus, "United in Pride", on June 15, 1991, at the Beacham Theatre. The program includes brief biographies of Music Directors Dr. Charles Callahan and Kenneth…
Holiday Concert, December 1, 1990
A program for the Orlando Gay Chorus' concert, "Holiday Concert", on December 1, 1990, at the Knowles Memorial Chapel at Rollins College. The program includes a checklist of concert etiquette, an events calendar, brief biographies of Music Director…
Premier Concerts, June 23 & 24, 1990
A program for the Orlando Gay Chorus' concert, "Premier Concerts", on June 23 and 24, 1990, at the Orlando Museum of Art. The program includes brief biographies of Music Director Dr. Charles Callahan, and Accompanist Terry E. Thomas, program notes,…
Grandparents Day at Hillcrest Elementary School
A student from Hillcrest Elementary School sitting with two women and a man in front of a homemade banner. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) hosted an event for National Grandparents Day, where students' families visited the school.Hillcrest…
PTA Divas Dinner
Members of the Hillcrest Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) wearing cooking aprons. The "PTA Divas" would dress up in costumes and serve dinner to faculty, staff, students, and their families to raise money for the PTA.Hillcrest…
PTA Divas in Costume
Members of the Hillcrest Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) dressed in 1950s and 1960s costumes and holding culinary goods. The "PTA Divas" would dress up in costumes and serve dinner to faculty, staff, students, and their families to…
Pam Brandon and Anne-Marie Hodges
Pam Brandon and Anne-Marie Hodge dressed in 1950s and 1960s costumes. The photograph was taken in the kitchen at a Parent Teacher Association (PTA)-sponsored event for Hillcrest Elementary School.Hillcrest Elementary School is one of Orlando’s oldest…
Culinary Confessions of the PTA Divas: Stylish Recipes and Saucy Secrets for the Everyday Gourmet
A cookbook created by Anne-Marie Hodges and Pam Brandon, who were members of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Hillcrest Elementary School. Hodges and Brandon began cooking and hosting dinners for teachers and the families of students. With…
Hillcrest Elementary School Fifth Grade Class, 1952
Hillcrest Elementary School's fifth grade class of 1951. Three rows of 31 children pose in front of the school. A teacher stands to the student's left.Hillcrest Elementary School is one of Orlando’s oldest schools, opening in 1923. Since the 1980s,…
Girl Scout Troop at Big Tree, 1951
A Girl Scout troop from Hillcrest Elementary School visiting Big Tree, which is the oldest and largest cypress tree in the world. At the time of the photograph, the tree was 3,500 years old and measured 17x127 feet.Hillcrest Elementary School is one…
Hillcrest Elementary School Report Card for Julia Hays, 1951-1952
Hillcrest Elementary School report card for Julia Hays during the 1951-1952 school year. During the six-week term, students learned reading, language, spelling, penmanship, social studies, arithmetic, science, health, art, music, and physical…
Miranda’s Spring Festival: An Operetta
An invitation to Hillcrest Elementary School’s sixth grade operetta, "Miranda’s Spring Festival," which was held in the Hillcrest Elementary auditorium. A scarecrow and birds colored by students appear next to the event information.Hillcrest…
Hillcrest Elementary School Sixth Grade Class, 1951
Hillcrest Elementary School's sixth grade class of 1951. Three rows of 23 children pose in front of the school. The back of the photograph contains the signatures of 15 students.Hillcrest Elementary School is one of Orlando’s oldest schools, opening…
Disney’s Black Heritage Celebration, February 1998
Disney's Black Heritage Celebration, February 1998, by Everett Spruill. The color painting includes the event's logo, signed by the artist and numbered 870/1000. Two color photographs appear below the painting featuring teachers and students from…
Register of Burial for Clyde Emerson, 1922
The register of burial card for Clyde Emerson (1890-1919). One side of the card describes where Emerson was originally buried and lists his emergency address, while the other gives the location of his reinterment. His body was reinterred after the…
Certificate of Death for Charles Crummer, 1934
The certificate of deawth of Charles Crummer (1894-1934). He died in a veterans' hospital in Johnson City, Tennessee. The record includes the facility's name, as well as Crummer's name, age, race, and time and cause of death. Charles Crummer was born…
U.S.S. Leviathan
The USS Leviathan at harbor in 1918. The ship was acquired from Germany by the United States Navy in 1917, serving as a troop transport ship until it was decommissioned on October 29, 1919. Fred White (1898-1919) and the 547th Engineer Service…
Abstract of Military Service for Luther Wade Pilcher
The abstract of World War I military service for Luther Wade Pilcher (1898-1918). The document includes Pilcher’s surname, Christian name, Army serial number, whether White or Colored, home address, place of enlistment, place of birth, date of birth,…
Luther Wade Pilcher
Dressed in his United States Marine uniform, Luther Wade Pilcher (1898-1918) poses on a chair in front of a backdrop of the United States Capitol. On his left breast is a rifle expert marksmanship badge. His rank at the time of the photo, corporal,…
Draft Registration Card, 1917
The draft registration card for Charles Crummer (1894-1934). The card contains the demographic information for the soldier including name, age, home address, date of birth, place of birth, race, citizenship, trade or occupation, number of dependents,…
Passenger List of Organizations and Casuals
The passenger list of organizations and casuals departing from Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1918. The document includes the soldier's number, name, rank, regiment, corps or department, emergency contact, and address. A notable passenger listed in the…
Twelfth Census Population for Union, Suwannee, Florida, 1900
The Twelfth United States census records for Union, Suwannee, Florida, for 1900. The census divides the population by sex, race, age, marital status, number of children, occupation, literacy, whether they owned or rented, farm or house. The census…
Abstract of Military Service for Fred White
The abstract of World War I military service for Fred White (1898-1919). The document includes Antuono’s surname, Christian name, Army serial number, whether White or Colored, home address, place of enlistment, place of birth, date of birth,…