Tampa Bay History Center Digs into Native Plants

Florida’s First people lived on the shores of Tampa Bay more that 12,000 years ago. To survive, they crafted tools, pottery, weapons and clothing from objects they found in nature. A shell became a hammer, shark’s teeth became drills, palm fibers became fishing nets.

You can learn about Florida's native plants and the people who used them this Saturday at 11:00 a.m. when the Tampa Bay History Center hosts Dr. Robin C. Brown, author of Florida's First People and The Crafts of Florida's First People. Brown’s lecture, “Florida's Native Plants” will detail how Florida’s early flora and fauna and how native peoples used them.

Dr. Brown’s lecture is part of Obscured by Time: The Magic of Florida, featuring the art of Hermann Trappman, currently on exhibit at the History Center through September 26th. Obscured by Time details the natural history of Florida through Trappman’s compelling paintings, artifact replicas, fossils, and examples of the resources utilized by ancient Native Americans.

Dr. Brown’s lecture is free and open to the public. For more information contact the Tampa Bay History Center at (813) 228-0097 or visit our website.