Bert the Turtle, Rockland, ca. 1957
Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Item 28914
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The symbol for a national Civil Defense promotional effort was Bert the Turtle, who taught children how to "duck and cover" in case of danger.
A live Bert, a 50-pound North African sea turtle, appeared on a float at the Rockland Seafood Festival in the late 1950s.
C. Bruce Wright, public relations director of the Maine Civil Defense and Public Safety Department, acquired the turtle from a Brunswick doctor who had gotten it from sailors at Brunswick Naval Air Station. It became a popular attraction promoting civil defense in Maine.
Other Information
- Title: Bert the Turtle, Rockland, ca. 1957
- Creator: Wright, C. Bruce
- Creation Date: circa 1957
- Subject Date: circa 1957
- Town: Rockland
- County: Knox
- State: ME
- Media: Photograph
- Object Type: Image
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society
489 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822
http://www.mainehistory.org
Cross Reference Searches
LC Subject Headings
Advertising characters
Bert the turtle (Advertising character)
Sea turtles
Turtles
Mascots
Maine. Civil Defense and Public Safety Agency
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