“I not only
want to show that I can make these helmets but also
reflect on their history, as a window into our past
and as a tribute to my grandparents.”
- Nick Toth
To use the audio component of this page you will need to have Javascript
turned on and have Flash
Player 9 or better installed.
As a boy, Nick Toth spent time with
his grandfather, Antonios Lerios, watching him build
helmets and work on sponge diving boats in Tarpon Springs,
Florida. In 1905, Greek divers from the Dodecanese Islands
were recruited when sponge beds were discovered off
the coast of Florida. Over time, the Greek community
made Tarpon Springs their home and an entire industry
developed around diving, maintaining sponge boats, selling
sponges and
making diving equipment.
Continuing this tradition today, Nick Toth’s helmets
— both beautiful and useful — are part of
his family history as well as Florida’s maritime
heritage.
“I’m not just
doing this for myself, but doing this to stand for something
that my family was involved with, something that is part
of our history as well as the town’s.”
