Art of the Cuban, a History Center Member Event

On Thursdy, June 20th, USF Librarian and author of The Columbia Restaurant: Celebrating a Century of History, Cuisine and People, Andy Huse and Columbia Cafe Executive Chef Scott Dixon, led an enlightening and delicious program about Tampa's signature dish, the Cuban Sandwich.

Thirty History Center members took part in this one-of-kind event, which gave them the opportunity to build their own Cuban Sandwich from scratch.

Huse, an expert on local culinary history, began the session with a history of the ubiquitous sandwich, which originated in Tampa's Ybor City.

Following Huse was Chef Dixon, who walked everyone through the delicate art of building their own Cuban Sandwich while sharing a few of the Columbia Restaurant's behind-the-scenes secrets.

The History Center's member events provide intimate learning experiences for our members and their guests. Visit our website for membership information.

To view images from Art of the Cuban by Jeff Houck of the Tampa Tribune, visit his Flickr page.

Why do they call it that? Tampa history and Ft. Brooke Parking Garage and Fivay Road in Pasco County | Tampa Bay History Center| WTSP.com 10 Connects

Why do they call it that? Tampa history and Ft. Brooke Parking Garage and Fivay Road in Pasco County Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota WTSP.com 10 Connects

Tampa Sports History, 5/18/80

On May 18, 1980, the Tampa Bay Rowdies got a chance to avenge their loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 1979 Soccer Bowl championship. A nationally-televised Sunday afternoon game at Tampa Stadium provided the stage for the much anticipated rematch.

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the May 21 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.

Living History by Alberto de Lama

Check out this great story from our friends at Fox 13 on our new temporary exhibition. Alberto de Lama's Living History is on exhibit in our third floor gallery through June 27th.

Florida Conversations at the Tampa Bay History Center Continues with Deborah Sharp's "Mama Rides Shotgun"

The 2009-2010 season of Florida Conversations continues with Deborah Sharp, on Sunday, May 23rd, at 3:00 p.m. in TECO Hall. Sharp will discuss her latest book, Mama Rides Shotgun.

A reporter for USA Today for nearly two decades, Sharp traded the sad stories of the news business for her funny ''Mace Bauer Mystery'' series, set in a “sweet-tea-and-barbecue slice” of her native Florida. The series debuted with Mama Does Time (Midnight Ink, 2008). Deborah's Florida mysteries are funny, with a soft Southern edge: Think Carl Hiaasen on estrogen. Sharp has been featured on NPR and NBC’s Today Show.

Florida Conversations is underwritten by the Tampa Bay History Center Endowment Fund at USF. The series is co-sponsored by the USF Libraries Florida Studies Center and the Tampa Bay History Center.

Florida Conversations is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Tampa Bay History Center at 228-0097 or visit us online.

Why do they call it that? How the Crosstown became the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and history of Mulberry, Florida |

For the 49th and 50th locations featured in Channel 10's popular "Why do they call it that?" series, reporter Grayson Kamm and Tampa Bay History Center curator Rodney Kite-Powell find out how the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and the town of Mulberry got their names:
Why do they call it that? How the Crosstown became the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and history of Mulberry, Florida Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota WTSP.com 10 Connects

Tampa Sports History, Interview with Mark Robinson

Mark Robinson, a graduate of Penn State, played for seven seasons as a safety in the NFL. Originally a fourth round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1984, Robinson came to Tampa Bay via trade in 1988. He spent three seasons as a Buccaneer, eventually becoming a leader in the secondary and a team captain. Today, Robinson can be seen analyzing football on Bright House Sports Network and heard on the radio providing color commentary for University of South Florida football games.

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the May 14 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.

Tampa Bay History Center Opens 'Living History'

Begining May 14th,  the History Center welcomes Living History, an exhibition of Alberto de Lama’s paintings and drawings of today’s Tampa.

The exhibition will feature more than 60 landscapes and portraits depicting the eclectic architecture, places, events and people that define contemporary Tampa.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Alberto de Lama is a master realist painter who has lived in Tampa since 1982. De Lama’s Tampa scenes and portraits capture the character of our city. His work features Gasparilla pirates, craftsmen bungalows and the Port of Tampa.

Read Tampa Tribune columnist Steve Otto's review of the exhibtion.

Alberto de Lama’s Living History, will remain in the History Center’s Third Floor Gallery through June 27th and is included with regular admission to the History Center.

May Events at the Tampa Bay History Center

May 9th       Mother’s Day Celebration
Mom gets in free with one paid admission (one mom per one paid admission). Plus, kids can enjoy arts and crafts in the Atrium and a 15% discount in the Museum Store. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

May 14th      Living History

An exhibition by Alberto de Lama featuring more than 60 paintings depicting the eclectic architecture, places, people and events that make up the vibrant and varied Tampa community. Located in the Third Floor Gallery. Free with admission.

May 15th     A Little History
The History Center continues its preschoolers’ program, A Little History, on Saturday, May 15th from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. with Get a Clue! Museum Mysteries. Open to children ages 3 to 5 with an adult companion. $10.00 per child and $6.00 per adult. One adult must accompany every two children. Space is limited, pre-registration is required. Check our website for details.


May 20th     Book Group
The History Center Book Group leads an informal discussion on Mama Rides Shotgun by Deborah Sharp. The Book Group meets from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. and is free and open to the public.

May 20th     History Center Members-only Event
Art of the Cuban features Columbia Cafe Executive Chef Scott Dixon and Andrew Huse, author of The Columbia Restaurant: Celebrating a Century of History, Cuisine and People, will review the history of Tampa’s signature sandwich and allow participants a chance to build their own Cuban. Open to TBHC members only.

May 22nd      Morning at the Museum
Get a Clue! Museum Mysteries: Bring the family for a before-hours exploration of the History Center. Delve into Tampa’s history through games, crafts and other hands-on activities. Program includes breakfast. Designed for children ages 5 - 12 with adult. 9:00 – 10:30 am. Members - $8/child + $12/adult; Non-members - $10/child + $14/adult. Pre-registration is required. Check our website for more information.

May 22nd      Book Release Reception

Mark Carlos McGinty will sign copies of his new book The Cigar Maker from 12:00 until 4:00 p.m. in the Museum Store.

May 23rd     Florida Conversations

The 2009-2010 season of Florida Conversations continues with Deborah Sharp, author of the Florida-set Mace Bauer mystery series. Sharp will discuss her latest book, Mama Rides Shotgun. Sharp’s Florida mysteries are funny, with a soft Southern edge: Think Carl Hiaasen on estrogen. Sharp has been featured on NPR and NBC’s Today Show. 3:00 p.m. Free.

Tampa Bay History Center Celebrates Moms

Looking to put a new spin on Mother’s Day? The History Center will honor Mother’s Day by offering free admission for Mom with one paid admission. In addition to free kid’s crafts and activities in the Lykes Atrium, enjoy lunch on the Columbia Cafe's waterfront terrace, stroll along the Riverwalk, or take a walk down memory lane in the History Center's galleries.

All moms get in free with one regular admission begining Sunday, May 9th at 10:00 a.m. There will be arts and crafts for kids in the Lykes Atrium and a 15% discount in the Museum Store.
 
For more information, visit our website.

Tampa Sports History, 4/29/85

This week 25 years ago, owners of the USFL voted to discontinue their spring football schedule following the 1985 season and begin head-to-head competition with the NFL beginning in the fall of 1986. This vote severely impacted the fortunes of the Tampa Bay Bandits owner John Bassett, who lobbied for the USFL to remain a spring entity.

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the April 30 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.