Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Why Do They Call it That? Charlie Creek and West Tampa

History Center Welcomes Hillsborough Lodge #25

The History Center is proud to welcome Hillsborough Lodge #25 to our Community Case. Founded in 1850, Hillsborough Lodge #25 is the oldest Masonic Lodge in Tampa.

The exhibit, featuring photographs of its many prominent members and objects from its 160-year history, will be on display through September.

Supported by the Wachovia Foundation, the Community Case offers local non-profit organizations the opportunity to present exhibitions highlighting their role in the history of the Tampa Bay area.

If you have a group or organization that you think would be a good fit for the Community Case, contact our Community Relations Manager, Manny Leto.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Tampa Sports History, 6/25/80

In late June 1980, the Tampa Bay Rowdies were a team that shined at home, but struggled mightily on the road. A dismal road trip to Minnesota and Rochester resulted in two losses and a noticeable lack of offensive punch. Could the team's return to Tampa for a showdown at Tampa Stadium against San Diego be the answer to their woes?

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the June 25 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Artifact Spotlight: Lamar Sparkman illustrations of Sandy Warshaw

In the 1950s, Sandy Warshaw had already earned notoriety in Tampa as a local junior tennis sensation. A champion of local and state-wide tournaments, Warshaw eventually rose to as high as fifth in the nation among junior players and won the prestigious Orange Bowl 18-and-Under singles championship in 1959. Just two weeks later, she captured the Dixie International Title by defeating three-time champion Laura Lou Kunnen in three sets. Today, Sandy Warshaw is best known as Sandra W. Freedman, who served two terms between 1986 and 1995 as the 55th mayor of Tampa.

Lamar Sparkman, a renowned cartoonist and artist for the Tampa Times and Tampa Tribune from 1947-87, is one of Tampa’s best-known chroniclers of sport. Local athletes knew they had made it when Sparkman chose them as a subject. One of his most lasting contributions to the Tampa sports scene came in 1975, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers commissioned Sparkman to design the team’s logo. The winking pirate, commonly referred to as “Buccaneer Bruce,” became one of the most recognized logos in all of sports. Sparkman passed away earlier this year at the age of 88, but his contributions to local history will never be forgotten. -- Travis Puterbaugh

2010.013.001-.002
Gift of The Honorable Sandra W. Freedman

Why Do They Call It That? Avon Park & Amenia Avenue

Monday, June 21, 2010

Tampa Sports History, 6/14/75

In mid-June 1975, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally revealed their team colors and logo. The creation of renowned Tampa Tribune artist/cartoonist Lamar Sparkman, the figure who came to be known as "Buccaneer Bruce" would immediately become one of the most recognizable, and ultimately debated, logos in all of sports.

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the June 18 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Monday, June 14, 2010

Tampa Sports History, 6/15/85

It's hard to believe, but it has been 25 years since the last Tampa Bay Bandits home game. On June 15, 1985, the Bandits concluded their regular season home schedule against the Birmingham Stallions. Limping towards the playoffs, the Bandits desperately needed a win to regain momentum and put a terrible few weeks behind them.

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the June 11 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Florida Conversations at the Tampa Bay History Center Welcomes 'Final Countdown' author, Pat Duggins

The 2009-2010 Florida Conversations Lecture Series concludes with National Public Radio’s “Space Expert” Pat Duggins on Sunday, June 13th, at 3:00 p.m. in TECO Hall. Duggins will discuss his book, Final Countdown: NASA and the End of the Space Shuttle Program.

The Space Shuttle was once the cornerstone of the U.S. space program. However, each new flight brings us one step closer to the retirement of the shuttles in 2010. Final Countdown is the riveting history of NASA's Space Shuttle program, its missions, and its impending demise. It also examines the plans and early development of the space agency’s next major effort: the Orion Crew Exploration Capsule.

Pat Duggins the News Director at Alabama Public Radio. His documentary on the first anniversary of the Columbia accident earned a prestigious First Place National Headliner Award and an Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio-Television News Directors Association. Duggins has covered 86 shuttle missions over 20 years.

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, visit us online or call (813) 228-0097.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Tampa Sports History, Interview with Jim McVay

From 1982-1986, Jim McVay served as the Director of Marketing for the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League. During that time, he devised the marketing strategies for the most innovative and fan-friendly product in the entire league. Today, McVay serves as the President/CEO of the Outback Bowl, one of the most popular and successful games of the college bowl season. McVay recently sat down to reflect on the era of good times and fun known around these parts as “Banditball.” 

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the June 4 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

History Center Hosts Father's Day Watch Party with the Tampa Bay Rays

Bring Dad and the whole family to the Tampa Bay History Center for a free Rays Watch Party on Sunday, June 20th beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Watch the Rays battle the Florida Marlins on a 20-foot LED screen in Cotanchobee Park. Plus, dads get in free to the History Center galleries with one paid admission.

Join Rich Herrera, voice of the Rays Republic, as he broadcasts the pre- and post-game shows live from the History Center.

Kids can hang with Raymond and the Rays street team, swing for the fences in the Ray’s batting cages, play ball on our Nintendo Wii consoles, or slide into the Kids Craft area.

Visit the St. Petersburg Times tent and register Dad to win a special VIP Rays Experience including tickets to a game, player meet-and-greet and on-field passes to watch batting practice.

This special Father’s Day Watch Party is presented by the Tampa Bay History Center, the Tampa Bay Rays, the St. Petersburg Times and TBT, and begins at 12:30. First pitch is at 1:10.

Parking will be available at the St. Pete Times Forum East Lot, Channelside Parking Garage or the Channelside Surface Lot.

For more information, visit our website or call 813-228-0097.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Tampa Sports History, 5/26/85

On May 26, 1985, the Tampa Bay Bandits faced off against one of their few legitimate rivals in the USFL, the Donald Trump-owned New Jersey Generals.While the two teams did not like one another on the field, off the field the team's owners -- Donald Trump and John Bassett -- had differing visions for the future of the troubled young league.

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the May 28 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.

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