The Bell(es) of Wakulla Spring

Tallahassee Historical Society & Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park
present a special program featuring historian Dr. Madeleine Carr

Thursday, November 11, 7:00 p.m. Virtual Presentation
Program link provided upon registration

What do a diving bell and a daring Belle have in common with the history of Wakulla Spring?  

Nellie Bly, a turn-of the-20th century journalist sensation and inventor, contributed to the 1940's underwater filming at Wakulla Spring. She never knew her invention would "challenge Hollywood." Nellie is only one of the Belles at the spring, the other, an impressively large metal object, is the diving bell.

Historian Dr. Madeleine Carr brings to light the careers of two adventurers, Ms. Bly and Max Nohl. Their careers, a generation apart, are sagas great enough to be remembered. Max Nohl's saga of adventure began in boyhood with a fascination for diving. Just how did he manage to provide a platform for the other "Belles" for underwater filming and why is Nellie Bly part of his story?

About Madeleine:

Madeleine H. Carr was born in England and grew up in Switzerland before moving to the U.S.A. in 1970. Since then she has investigated and written about music, culture, and the history of North Florida and Georgia. She obtained her PhD from Florida State University, and retired from teaching American history at TCC in 2012. She is a volunteer historian for Wakulla Springs State Park, a convenient drive from her home she shares with her husband Palmer.  

More Belles of Wakulla Spring... Madeleine on a railroad car in earlier times....
Florida State University Tarpon Club....
Photos courtesy of Florida Memory. Florida Department of State