Tampa Bay History Center Hosts Panama Canal Museum

The story of one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century, the construction of the Panama Canal, comes to life as the Tampa Bay History Center welcomes Gerry DeTore of the Panama Canal Museum on Sunday, May 2nd, at 3:00 pm.

DeTore, whose father worked for the Panama Canal Company and relocated the family to the Canal Zone, will discuss the history of the Panama Canal and its historic links to Florida. For instance, in 1906, the United States Congress declared that Tampa be the first city to celebrate the building of the Panama Canal, requesting that President Theodore Roosevelt hold a naval review in the waters of Tampa Bay.

The 1906 Act stated, “by reason of its being further to the southward and nearer to said Canal than any other city in the country, having a deep and commodious harbor, reached by ample railroad facilities, as also on account of its salubrious climate and spirit of American progress among its citizens manifest in the rapid growth and development of the city and her commerce affords a suitable place for celebration of the work done in the construction of the Panama Canal.” The celebration was finally held in February 1910, marking what would become Gasparilla Festival.

DeTore’s talk will mark the opening of the Panama Canal Museum’s Community Case exhibit, located in the History Center’s second floor gallery. The exhibit features photographs of the Canal’s construction and other artifacts.

The talk is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Tampa Bay History Center at (813) 228-0097 or visit our website.

History of Lakeland and Tom McEwen's roll in Bucs, Bolts, Yankees, and Super Bowl | Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota | WTSP.com 10 Connects

History of Lakeland and Tom McEwen's roll in Bucs, Bolts, Yankees, and Super Bowl Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota WTSP.com 10 Connects

Tampa Sports History, 4/26/75

This week 35 years ago, the Tampa Bay Rowdies made their home debut as an expansion entry in the North American Soccer League. The Rowdies were the Tampa Bay area's first professional sports team, and through excellent marketing and community outreach, quickly attracted the uninitiated to the game of soccer.

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the April 23 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.

The Don CeSar and Lutz, Florida: How they got their names | Tampa Bay History Center | WTSP.com 10 Connects

Each week, our Saunders Foundation Curator of History, Rodney Kite-Powell, answers the burning question, "why do they call it that?" Find out how some the Tampa Bay area's landmarks, towns, and well-known streets got their name. This week's installment features St. Petersburg's Don CeSar and Lutz. Find out more here:
The Don CeSar and Lutz, Florida: How they got their names Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota WTSP.com 10 Connects

USF Series Explores Tampa's Historic Cuban Club

The History Center was among several community partners who helped produce Interpreting Cultural Heritage: Tampa Cubans and Their Club, 1886-present, an amazing 12-part video series focusing on the historic Cuban Club building, which was constructed in 1918 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

The videos are designed as a walking tour of the building and are narrated by retired District Court of Appeals Judge and Tampa native, E.J. Salcines.

Headed by USF project directors Drs. Paul Dosal, Mark I. Greenberg, and Christine McCall Probes, the History Center was part of a team that included the USF Tampa Libraries Florida Studies Center, El Circulo Cubano de Tampa, and the USF Humanities Institute. The project was funded by a grant from the Florida Humanities Council.

The 13-part series is designed to be used as podcasts for a walking tour of the Cuban Club, but also makes for enjoyable online viewing on YouTube.

Tampa Sports History, 4/15/85

This week 25 years ago, the Tampa Bay Bandits geared up for a Monday night showdown against the offensive-minded Denver Gold. At 5-2, the Bandits were one of the hottest teams in the USFL and averaged just over 4 touchdowns per game, but would this be enough against Denver?

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the April 16 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.

Summer Adventure Camp at the Tampa Bay History Center

Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes at a museum? Ever wonder what Florida pioneers did for fun, or how archeologists uncover long-lost artifacts? Find the answers to these questions and more at the Tampa Bay History Center's History Adventure Camps!

2010 Summer Schedule :

Archaeology Adventures! June 21- 25
Become a scientist for a week and dig in to Florida's past! Find out how archaeologists study artifacts to discover what life was like thousands of years ago. Learn about Florida's first people-where they lived and what kinds of tools they used.

Let's Play! July 5-9
It's all fun and games this week! Explore games that kids played in the past, from hula hoops and hunt the shoe, to Connect Four and Clue. We'll play inside games, sports, and create our own Museum Olympics.

Pioneer Life July 12-16 Travel back in time to explore Florida's pioneer days through storytelling, games, and simple crafts. Find out what life was like for Florida pioneer families in the late 1800s.

Museum Mysteries July 26-30
Explore the History Center and other museums around town to find out what a curator does, who takes care of the collections, and how exhibits are made. Learn how to handle and analyze artifacts and historic photos. Start your own collection, and get creative by making a mini-museum.

Tampa's Urban Treasures August 2-6:
Explore Tampa's many traditions through a week full of exciting games, creative crafts and field trips to local urban historic gems. Travel by streetcar and water taxi and get a behind-the scenes pass to the Tampa Theater, Plant Museum, Ybor City Streetcar Depot and much more! Wrap up your week of adventure by making a scrapbook of all your memories!

Each week-long camp is $150 for non-members/ $135 for TBHC members. Camps begin at 9:00 a.m. and run until 5:00 p.m. Extended care is available from 8-9:00 a.m. and 5-5:30 p.m. for an additional fee. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, contact Jennifer Tyson at (813) 675-8960 or send her an email.

Tampa Sports History, Interview with Dick Crippen

A legend in local sports broadcasting, Dick Crippen has been part of the fabric of the Tampa Bay area for five decades. A familiar face to viewers of both Channel 10 and Channel 8, Crippen’s voice could be heard for 17 seasons as part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers radio team and as the P.A. announcer for the Tampa Bay Rowdies during their heyday. Since 2000, Crippen has served as a senior advisor for the Tampa Bay Rays and has remained involved with the community, serving on various charitable boards throughout the area. Crippen recently sat down to talk about his broadcasting career and some of the memorable people and events he has covered.

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the April 9 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.

History Center Takes Kids on an ‘Archaeology Adventure’

The Tampa Bay History Center continues its preschoolers’ program, A Little History, on Saturday, April 17th from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Dig in to Florida’s past with Archaeology Adventures! Find out how archaeologists study artifacts to discover what life was like thousands of years ago. Learn about Florida’s first people - you can even try your hand at making a real dug-out canoe.

A Little History is open to children ages 3 to 5 with an adult companion. Programs are held one Saturday per month from 10-11:30 a.m. Each program is $10.00 per child and $6.00 per adult. Fees do not include admission into the History Center galleries. Members of the Tampa Bay History Center receive a $2.00 discount for both children and adults. One adult must accompany every two children. Space is limited, pre-registration is required. Click here to download a registration form.
 For more information on A Little History, contact the History Center’s Assistant Curator of Education, Jennifer Tyson, at (813) 675-8960 or visit our website.

Why do they call it that? Pasco County and Crystal River | Tampa Bay History Cneter/WTSP.com 10 Connects

Check out our ongoing segment on WTSP Channel 10, "Why do they call it that?"

If you're looking for information about Tampa history or the history of Tampa Bay, look no further than the Tampa Bay History Center. Why do they call it that? The Tampa Bay History Center knows why:

Why do they call it that? Pasco County and Crystal River Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota WTSP.com 10 Connects