Tampa Bay History Center facts for kids
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| Established | 2009 |
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| Location | Tampa, Florida, United States |
The Tampa Bay History Center is an exciting history museum located in Tampa, Florida, United States. It's a special place where you can learn all about the past of the Tampa Bay area.
This museum is connected to the famous Smithsonian museums. It's also recognized by the American Alliance of Museums, which means it meets high standards. Inside, you can explore exhibits about the first people who lived in Tampa Bay, Spanish explorers called conquistadors, and important historical figures. There's even a cool recreation of a 1920s cigar store!
The museum is right on the waterfront at 801 Water Street in Tampa's Channelside District. It first opened its doors on January 17, 2009. The building is quite large, with plenty of space for all the amazing exhibits.
The Tampa Bay History Center has three floors filled with both permanent and temporary exhibits. These exhibits cover 12,000 years of Florida's history, with a special focus on the Tampa Bay area and the Gulf Coast. Besides the exhibits, the center has a museum store, classrooms, and a research center called the Witt Research Center. You can also find a map gallery, an event hall, and the Columbia Cafe, which is a branch of the famous Ybor City's Columbia Restaurant.
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How the Tampa Bay History Center Began
The idea for the Tampa Bay History Center started a long time ago. People in Tampa wanted to save and show off local historical items. In 1882, a judge named J. G. Knapp wrote that "no time should be lost" in collecting these important artifacts.
A century later, in 1986, leaders in Hillsborough County started thinking about creating a regional history museum. Here's a quick look at how the museum came to be:
- 1989: A group of citizens, led by J. Thomas Touchton, created a non-profit organization called The History Museum of Tampa-Hillsborough County, Inc.
- 1993: A small museum space opened in the Shoppes of Harbour Island. It showed items from the museum's collection and other places.
- 1993: The organization officially changed its name to the Tampa Bay History Center (TBHC).
- 1995: Hillsborough County asked the TBHC to take care of the county's historical collection forever.
- 1996: The TBHC moved to the Tampa Convention Center Annex. Here, it offered exhibits, programs, tours, and research help.
- 1998: Hillsborough County promised $17 million to help plan and build a new museum building.
- 2004: Tampa and Hillsborough County leaders agreed to build the new History Center in Cotanchobee-Fort Brooke Park.
- 2006: A fundraising campaign started to raise money for the new museum.
- October 2007: Construction began on the museum's new building. It was designed to be an environmentally friendly "Green Building."
- June 2008: Workers celebrated a major step in construction. The History Center also received a $1-million grant from the Kresge Foundation.
- January 2009: The new Tampa Bay History Center officially opened!
- March 2009: The History Center successfully raised all the money needed for the new building.
- October 2009: The museum building was renamed the J. Thomas Touchton Tampa Bay History Center Building.
- 2012: The History Center became a Smithsonian Affiliate museum.
- 2015: The museum earned accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums.
- 2018: A new "Treasure Seekers" exhibit opened, focusing on pirates, explorers, and shipwrecks.
Explore the Museum's Exhibits
The museum's galleries let you explore 500 years of recorded history. They also cover 12,000 years of human life in the Tampa Bay area. You'll find these amazing exhibits across three floors.
Touchton Map Library: A World of Maps
The Touchton Map Library is a special place for maps. It's the only map center like it in the Southeast United States. It holds thousands of maps, charts, and other documents. The collection covers more than 500 years of map-making history. You can even view many of these maps online!
This exhibit explores the shared history between Cuba and Florida. It shows how Cuban culture has influenced Florida. You'll learn about the lives of Cuban people throughout history. The exhibit is in both English and Spanish. It covers everything from vacations to important political events.
Treasure Seekers: Pirates and Explorers
The "Treasure Seekers" exhibit is on the fourth floor. It lets you discover old seafaring technology. You can even try using tools like astrolabes. These devices helped sailors and pirates find their way by tracking stars. This exhibit dives into the world of pirates, conquistadors, and naval history. Don't miss "The Pirate's Fate Theater" for an immersive sea voyage experience!
Chinsegut Hill Historic Site: A Glimpse into the Past
The museum also helps manage the Chinsegut Hill Historic Site in Brooksville. This site includes a historic house. The history center's tours focus on the stories of the families who lived there.
Programs and Activities for All Ages
The Tampa Bay History Center offers many fun and educational programs.
Walking Tours and Lectures
You can join guided walking tours of Tampa's historic neighborhoods. These tours last about 90 minutes and cover famous areas like Ybor City. The museum also hosts a monthly book group about Florida literature. Plus, "Florida Conversations" is a free monthly lecture series. It highlights new research into Florida's history.
Youth Programs and Teen Opportunities
The History Center has several activities for young people. They offer Summer History Adventure Camps. Teens can even volunteer as counselors, helping create a fun learning environment. Teens can also join the Teen Council or become Educational Volunteers. They help plan educational programs and events. For high school students, there are AP Trivia Nights. These cover topics relevant to Advanced Placement courses.
History-to-Go Kits and Field Trips
The museum provides "History-to-Go" kits for teachers. These kits cover topics like Florida's First People and Cigar City. They include maps, lesson plans, and books for grades three to five. Students can also go on field trips to the museum. There are virtual field trips, guided in-person trips, and even a walking tour focused on Black History. You can also visit the Chinsegut Hill Historic Site on a field trip.
