Prop, Theatrical
Object number2013.57.3
Made by
Conrad Auel Sr.
Date1940-1960
MediumMetal, paint
Credit LineGift of Dorothy Miller
DescriptionPainted sign with a brown seahorse on each side and a gold crown at the top. Center of the sign is white with text painted in red in the center. Blue paint on the back and base with two attachment screws at the bottom.Dimensions19.125 x 28.312 x 1.75 in. (48.6 x 71.9 x 4.4 cm)InscriptionsCenter of the sign has "KING / NEPTUNE" painted in red in the center.
Historical NotesKing Neptune prop used in Pittsburgh Water Babies performances. The Pittsburgh Water Babies was formed by Lula “Lou” Stilley in 1935 as an unsponsored synchronized swimming team that performed at Pittsburgh area pools and country clubs for the next thirty years. As many of the original members aged, and eventually some of their children joined, Lou changed the name to the “Pittsburgh Water Babies and Their Big Sisters and Brothers.” Stilley was an Olympic hopeful swimmer and diver whose career was cut short by a car accident. She started the Water Babies to teach local area children how to swim. The Water Babies practiced at Mount Oliver pool in the summer and Knoxville Junior High School in the winter. Their performance themes ranged from patriotic to circus and Halloween; with the children’s parents making all of the props and costumes for the shows. By the 1960s “The Toyland Wedding” seems to have been their main act. The wedding consisted of two young swimmers playing the bride and groom accompanied by the bridal party, while children ranging from age three to eighteen performed different parts of the celebration; some of the youngest children played the wedding party and the “contingent from Candyland,” while older children slayed the dragon and performed the more difficult synchronized bits. The performance lasted for over an hour and ended with the dragon slaying competition for the hand of King Neptune’s daughter, Laughing Water.
Related institution
Pittsburgh Water Babies
Related person
Lula Stilley
On View
Not on view
1968-2001
1968-2001
2005
1968-2001
2005
