Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
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.
About This Item
- Title: Bert the Turtle, Rockland, ca. 1957
- Creator: C. Bruce Wright
- Creation Date: circa 1957
- Subject Date: circa 1957
- Location: Rockland, Knox County, ME
- Media: Photographic print
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Maine. Civil Defense and Public Safety Agency
- Mascots
- Turtles
- Sea turtles
- Advertising characters
- Bert the turtle (Advertising character)
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. No Permission is required to use the low-resolution watermarked image for educational use, or as allowed by the applicable copyright. For all other uses, permission is required.
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