🧜‍♀️Discover a mermaid near you!

Ever wonder where all of our Norfolk mermaids live?
A new interactive map of mermaid sculptures is now available on the City’s CivicLab Open Data Portal! Explore new parts of Norfolk and be sure to use the hastag “MermaidCity in your travels.

A little mermaid history:
In 1999, Pete Decker, Jr. (1935-2012) introduced the idea of mermaids at Nauticus during a breakfast with 300 Norfolk leaders. The concept is attributed to his wife, Bess, who had recently returned from Chicago and suggested Norfolk do something similar to the Windy City’s “Cows on Parade” art exhibit.

Mermaids were picked to represent Norfolk’s nautical heritage, and the idea took off from there.

Sculptor Kevin Gallup mass-produced 130 fiberglass mermaid castings for artists to decorate. Business and community leaders from Norfolk and beyond “adopted” mermaids at $2,000 each that were auctioned off.

Today, you’ll find Mermaids old and new in front of businesses, schools, hospitals, and homes. Some have suffered damage by the elements or unfortunately by vandals.

Local artist Georgia Mason holds the license to the Norfolk mermaids. Contact Georgia if you would like to inquire about the purchase of a mermaid for your organization or establishment.

Note: Each mermaid is individually owned and maintained by their owner and not by the City of Norfolk.

Check out the Norfolk Mermaids – The Hunt Facebook Page Note: We have no idea who manages the page and are not affiliated in any way.