An upcoming lecture will highlight diving in the Florida Keys through the decades.
The Friends of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park’s 35th “A Delicate Balance in Nature” series features History of Diving Museum founder Dr. Sally Bauer for a talk on the early history of diving throughout the island chain on Monday, Sept. 28.
During her medical career, Bauer and her husband Dr. Joe Bauer became avid scuba divers. During a layover in Miami, they purchased their first diving helmet, which inspired them to learn the history of diving before the development of scuba. Their discoveries led to a collection of knowledge and artifacts now housed in the History of Diving Museum in Islamorada.
The lecture will cover how the Florida Keys contributed to the worldwide history of diving, marine biology, treasure salvage, underwater photography and sports diving. It will take place at the park’s visitor center and aquarium building. The park is located at 102601 Overseas Highway, oceanside.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a reception provided by the Friends of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and the lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. Attendees may bring a cushion for added seating comfort. Temperatures in the auditorium vary and a sweater or light jacket may be desired. Attendees are asked to accommodate those who are chemically sensitive by not wearing fragrances and other scented products.
To attend via Zoom, visit the Friends of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Facebook page or pennekampparkfriends.org.
The auditorium is wheelchair accessible. More information is available from Elena Muratori, park services specialist at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, at 305-676-3786.
More information on Florida’s state parks is at floridastateparks.org.
