Meet the real-life mermaids: Inside the bizarre Florida theme park where women live like the mythical creatures

A photographic exhibition is giving a rare and bizarre insight into the mysterious world of real-life mermaids.

Mermaids, that is, who are humans, but who choose to live their lives as the mythical underwater sea creatures.

Photographer Annie Collingespent three days last year at the Weeki Wachee Springs, one of the oldest roadside attractions in Florida, where the Mermaid Theater has drawn visitors for decades.

Navy veteran, Newton Perry, first opened an underwater theater first opened at the springs in 1947.

It had its heyday in 1959, when ABC purchased it and built a new theater 16 feet below the surface, according to Slate.

Thirty-five mermaids were employed then, and they performed eight shows a day. Today, the springs are now designated part of a state park.


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