Antonio Lerios and apprentice Nick Toth making dive helmets

Apprentices

Diving Equipment and supplies

Greek Americans

Helmets

Metal craft

Sponge fisheries

Workplace

Workshops

Teaching of folklore

Copper

Metal products

Artisans

Thirty-four color slides. Lerios began making diving helmets for sponge divers in 1913 in Tarpon Springs. When he was in his 80s, he decided to retire. In the meantime, Toth, fresh with a degree from University of Florida, decided to learn the trade, and he worked as an apprentice for Lerios. By 1992 when Lerios died, Toth had assumed control of the business. Diving helmets date back to the early 1900s. Once Greek divers began diving for sponges in Tarpon Springs in 1905, the diving helmet industry in Florida began. The helmets allow divers to walk into deep water to gather sponges. For more history of Lerios and Toth diving helmets, see: http://www.divinghelmets.com/pages/history.html The Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program began in 1983 with a NEA grant of $22,000. The program provided an opportunity for master folk artists to share technical skills and cultural knowledge with apprentices in order to keep the tradition alive. Apprentices must have had some experience in the tradition and agreed to train for at least six months. The first project director was Blanton Owen, later replaced by folklorist Peter Roller. The program was continued each year through 2003.

State Archives of Florida, Series S1577

1986-02-24

Florida Folklife Program

slides (photographs)

Still Image

S1577

v. 64

S93-326 - S93-362

Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program

Roller, Peter

Lerios, Anthony, 1892-1992

Toth, Nick

Greek American

2147

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