Exploring the Deep - The History of Diving

Exploring the Deep – The History of Diving, opens October 10, 2004 and runs through March 13, 2005. The exhibit will feature both historic and contemporary diving equipment displayed in life-size simulated diving scenes. In addition, hands-on components will allow visitors to experience what it is like to view a watery situation. Equipment is on loan from the Telford Volunteer Diving and Rescue Unit and others. Michael A. Feyers, the Museum’s Science Curator states: “This collaboration between the Reading Public Museum and the Telford Volunteer Diving and Rescue Unit, provides a rare opportunity to display vintage diving equipment along with some of the Museum’s unique sea life specimens that haven’t been seen in over 15 years. The exhibit includes a crime scene recovery, a mystery beach, ocean library, and discovery lab all designed to engage Museum visitors.”

Exploring the Deep – The History of Diving is supported by the Friends of the Reading Museum, The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Regular Museum admission is $7 adults (17-60) and $5 seniors/children/students (w/ID). Museum hours are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11am to 5pm, Wednesday 11am to 8pm and Sunday 12pm to 5pm.

Exploring the Deep will focus on the equipment used by men and women in diving. The exhibit will feature a diving scenario in the 1960s showing a Mark V Diving Suit, a scene showing diving in the 1980s featuring a Mark 12 Diving Suit, and suits from the 2000s with a diver in an SL-17 suit. Scuba diving will also be featured. In addition, one part of the show is “eyes-on” with a view window that will allow the visitor to look through it and experience what it is like to see underwater in a murky situation. Another part of the exhibit is “Mystery Beach” – on the beach will be curious things for the public to identify. Some of the things are natural and some are human made (trash). There will be a library of books near the “Mystery Beach” where the visitor can look the items up and then check a panel and see if they were correct. The exhibit will also feature a “Discovery Lab” equipped with a computer program and numerous hands-on specimens.

The Telford Volunteer Diving and Rescue Unit started back in 1947 as part of the Telford Fire Company. When trying to recover a drowning victim, the Company was unsuccessful in searching with traditional fire rescue equipment. A former Navy diver volunteered to don a Scuba unit and search underwater. The Company recognized a need for this type of rescue and formed a diving unit. However, in 1969 due to budget restraints the unit was terminated. It then became formally incorporated as an independent rescue and recovery unit, known as the Telford Diving and Rescue Unit. Later to emphasize the fact that all operating and capital funds are derived from community donations, the word “volunteer” was added. Currently the unit operates as a regional dive team with two response vehicles and two marine units. They are engaged in both body and evidence recovery. The unit also conducts educational programs, teaches water rescue classes and has internally developed the “Drown-Proofing the Community” program.

Related Programming for Exploring the Deep – The History of Diving
“Discovery Talk: History of Diving” Sunday, October 10, 2004 at 1:00pm. Join Don Vallere, Safety Officer Telford Volunteer Diving and Rescue Unit as he takes you through this fascinating journey. Auditorium. Free with admission.

“Discovery Talk: Shipwrecks!” Sunday, November 7, 2004 at 1:00pm. Terry Martzell, an experienced technical diver, will recount his experiences diving the Andrea Doria. Learn what it takes to do this specialized diving in 250 ft.+ waters. Plus, Mark Stitzer, owner of Scuba Venture will describe how to retrieve and preserve artifacts from shipwrecks. Auditorium. Free with admission.

“Discovery Talk: Scuba Diving” Sunday, December 5, 2004 at 1:00pm. Mark Stitzer, owner of Scuba Venture, will discuss the equipment needed for recreational diving. Also, Greg Veverka, Captain of the Telford Volunteer Diving and Rescue Unit will talk about Surface Supplied Diving Systems (SSDS). Auditorium. Free with admission.