Monday, June 29, 2009

Celebrate the 4th at the History Center

We're offering free admission for all visitors on July 4th courtesy of a sponsorship by John Bales Attorneys and Bales Security Agency, Inc.

We're also extending the hours of the galleries until 8:30 pm so visitors who want to view the Channelside fireworks from Cotanchobee Park can get some relief from the heat and pass the time until the 9:00 launch. The galleries will be open until 8:30 pm and the Lykes Atrium and Columbia Cafe will be open until at least 10:00 pm.

Get here early as there will be activity throughout the day at Channelside Bay Plaza and multiple showings of “Saltimbanco” at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Park at the St. Pete Times Forum VIP East lot just north of the History Center building, the Channelside parking garage, various downtown surface lots, or, park in Ybor and ride the streetcar!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Monday Fun Days

Begining July 6th, bring your family to the Tampa Bay History Center for Monday Fun Days, featuring hands-on activities, crafts, performances and more.

Our series kicks off with "Passport 1528: European Exploration Story." Learn about the European explorers who came to the Tampa Bay area in the 16th century, and their encounters with the first people of Florida.

Held every other week, Monday Fun Days will focus on a theme related to the History Center’s exhibits and will include crafts, hands-on activities, demonstrations, or living history actors.

Activities are included with the price of museum admission. Upcoming Fun Days are July 6, July 20, August 3, August 17 Check our website for themes and activities.

Photos of Witt Research Center Opening


Check out photos of the June 18th Witt Research Center opening on Flikr by clicking here.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Goings On This Weekend

Just a quick reminder:

On Saturday, Author John Cinchett will be at the Museum Store to sign copies of his book, Vintage Tampa Signs and Scenes.

On Sunday, in honor of Fathers Day, dads get in free with one paid admission. Also on Sunday, at 3:00 pm, the Florida Conversation Series concludes with author Martin Dyckman discussing his book, A Most Disorderly Court.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Witt Research Center & Library to Officially Open

The Currie B. and Lavinia Sparkman Witt Research Center, the library located on the second floor of the Tampa Bay History Center, will officially open on June 18th with an Open House that will begin at 11:30 a.m. The event will start with a ribbon-cutting followed by a tour of this valuable new resource.

The library focuses on Florida history and features a diverse collection of books, maps, periodicals, microfilm, photographs, subject files and family histories. In addition to this collection, several computers, a copier and a scanner will be available to assist visitors in meeting their research needs.

The library is the result of a partnership between the History Center and the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System's John F. Germany Public Library. The goal of the partnership is to add the collection of the Witt Research Center to the public library system's online catalog and to encourage visitation to the Center.

The library's hours will be Monday through Friday from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm, with Saturdays by appointment.

Friday, June 5, 2009

June at TBHC

There's quite a bit going on at the History Center in June. Here's a sample of what's coming up:

June 18
The Currie B. and Lavinia Sparkman Witt Research Center, the library located on the second floor of the History Center, officially opens.

Also on the 18th, The monthly Book Group will meet from 10:30 - 11:30 am to discuss A Most Disorderly Court: Scandal and Reform in the Florida Judiciary by Martin Dyckman.

June 20
John V. Cinchett, author of Vintage Tampa Signs and Scenes, will be at the Museum for a book signing.

June 21
Dads get in free for Father's Day with one paid admission.

Also on the 21st, the Florida Conversations Series continues with author Martin Dyckman, whose topic will be "What's All This Fuss About an Independent Florida Judiciary?"

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Trib's Steve Otto on TBHC

Tampa Tribune columnist, Steve Otto, toured the History Center last week, taking in the exhibits and stopping for a bite at the Columbia Cafe. In his column Otto reports,

"For those of you who have not seen it - and most have not - the new center is going to be one of the defining landmarks of downtown Tampa. Its setting by the channel, and proximity to the expanding Riverwalk ... are spectacular. The Columbia Restaurant's bistro, ... with outdoor seating overlooking the channel and Harbour Island, is hard to beat."

We couldn't agree more. Read the full story.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Summer Fun

Wondering what you're going to do with the kids now that school's out? The History Center has got you covered. We're one of TBO's five cheap things to do in Tampa Bay with your kids this summer. Come spend an afternoon with us.

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