This architecture hop brings awareness to the historical preservation and cultural heritage of Ybor City. Jump on a TMZ Jolley Trolley and visit 6 of Ybor City's historic buildings. Receive a behind-the-scenes’ tour while enjoying light bites at each location. Tickets are limited and early bird ends on January 31, 2024!
After the Civil War, Florida's leaders enacted new schemes to prevent black families from exercising their right to vote. Through the law and acts of domestic terror, Black Floridians witnessed the undoing of the promise of emancipation. Dr. David Ponton (USF) explores what historical and contemporary exploration of racial power in Florida and beyond can […]
Embark on a Saturday walking tour through Ybor City, Tampa’s historical gem, and trace the district’s compelling tale from its cigar-making heyday to its lively contemporary culture. Stroll through brick-lined streets, discovering the echoes of Ybor’s immigrant roots and the legacy that continues to shape this eclectic neighborhood.
Discover Tampa’s past as you stroll through historic districts on this Downtown Tampa walking tour, from its humble beginnings as a 19th-century military outpost to its evolution into a bustling hub of commerce. Meet your guide Experience Downtown Tampa through the eyes of T.J. Chaltry, a lifelong resident turned passionate history walking tour guide. His […]
Experience the West Tampa Black History Walking Tour, a captivating 90-minute exploration of significant historical sites in Tampa’s Black community. Throughout the tour, participants will delve into the rich history of West Tampa, visiting key locations such as the former sites of J. W. Roberts City (West Tampa’s inaugural brick cigar factory), University of Tampa’s […]
Discover Chinsegut Hill’s history at the annual Duckwall Lecture on April 24 at 6:30 p.m. in TECO Hall. Dr. Gary Ellis, Director Emeritus of the Gulf Archaeology Research Institute, will delve into the findings from the Chinsegut Hill Archaeological and Historical Study, covering prehistoric times, enslaved populations, and the Seminole era. Moderated by Rodney Kite-Powell, […]
Florida in the 1920s was a booming and dynamic location, and our exhibit, Decade of Change, offers a glimpse into its style and culture. Explore a fascinating array of unique appliances and antiques, a delightful contrast to today’s products, and witness the evolution of design and innovation during this unparalleled era of change. Your journey […]
Savor a glass of Columbia Restaurant’s signature sangría in the History Center’s Lykes Atrium, followed by an insightful gallery talk by Rodney Kite-Powell, director of the Touchton Map Library. Scheduled from 6-7:15 p.m., this event delves into the transformative 1920s Florida land boom, exploring its impact on nearly every facet of life in Florida. Join […]
Embark on a journey through Tampa’s historic Central Avenue district, once celebrated as the “Harlem of the South.” Explore the rich narrative of this African-American community from the 1890s through the 1960s, with landmarks including St. James Church and Perry Harvey Sr Park. Join our walking tours on select Fridays at 10 a.m. Discover Central […]
Dr. Philip Levy (USF) explores a little known and rarely discussed bit of 1920s congressional legislation, which is at the core of what so many decry as dysfunction in American governance. This talk looks at that law and ways to change it. Presented alongside the Smithsonian's "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America," an interactive exhibition […]
Join us in the heart of Tampa’s historic neighborhood, the Scrub, for an electrifying celebration of Tampa’s Emancipation Day (May 6)! Revel in the triumphs of freedom and unity as we come together to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future. With music, food, and companionship, this event promises to be a […]
Step into history with the Rough Riders, the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, which spent five days in 1898 in Tampa en route to the Spanish-American War—the only unit to see combat in the US Army during that conflict. Delve into their daily drills and historical preparations at Vila Brothers Park. Engage with The Tampa Rough […]
Experience the West Tampa Black History Walking Tour, a captivating 90-minute exploration of significant historical sites in Tampa’s Black community. Throughout the tour, participants will delve into the rich history of West Tampa, visiting key locations such as the former sites of J. W. Roberts City (West Tampa’s inaugural brick cigar factory), University of Tampa’s […]
Embark on a journey through Tampa’s historic Central Avenue district, once celebrated as the “Harlem of the South.” Explore the rich narrative of this African-American community from the 1890s through the 1960s, with landmarks including St. James Church and Perry Harvey Sr Park. Join our walking tours on select Fridays at 10 a.m. Discover Central […]
June 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of WWII’s D-Day landing along the Normandy coast. Join Art and Meg Durshimer, along with local living historians, as they share stories, anecdotes, and military and civilian information about this important day in U.S. history. Your journey through time awaits! Explore local history brought to life by in-gallery historians […]
Mark your calendars for June 27, 6-9 p.m., because the History Center’s Lykes Atrium is daring to blend free pizza with, wait for it… history. Once you’re stuffed, stagger over to the “Decade of Change” exhibit. You’ll marvel at artifacts and trivia from the 1920s—as if pizza wasn’t thrilling enough. Slice of History is for […]
