Variations on a Theme is a collection of historical images, primarily from souvenir postal cards, the subject of which is an alligator attacking a human being. Beyond this basic qualification, there is a wide range of "Variations" involving, most notably, the racial and gender identity of the victims, especially as the genre evolved over the course of the 20th Century. Visitors are encouraged to begin their tour with the first item in the collection (Click the Start Tour button below), and then progress in order through the various stages of development, so that they will fully appreciate the lessons to be learned. This project is far from finished, and the variations continue to present themselves in the form of alligator-themed memoranda, mostly involving the modern relationship between these animals and human beings.

This exhibit consists of approximately 100 different items, most of which coming from the Director of Operations' personal collection, which he began in 2001. They are presented here to serve as a historical archive, exclusively for educational purposes, and thus meet the qualifications of "Fair Use" per International Law. Intellectual property rights, if such are still valid, remain in the possession of the original copyright holders.

Variations on a Theme is respectfully dedicated to the memory of Annmarie Campbell, an interesting individual who, if she had lived to see it, would probably have appreciated the complex historical irony of this gallery. Annmarie was killed by an alligator in May of 2006.

Warning: The history of alligator attacks, as depicted in popular culture over the past hundred years, may disturb some visitors. The images include blatantly racist stereotypes, and others which are sexually suggestive or even misogynistic in nature. Also, the creation of most works involved cruelty towards the alligators themselves, whether overtly (by showing hunting scenes, for example) or covertly (employing taxidermied alligators which have been posed so as to appear lifelike). These controversial aspects of the collection are the precise reasons why Maproom Systems is presenting this gallery, as they raise important matters worthy of contemplation for all students of history.