Community Corner
Tampa Celebrates 135th Anniversary During Archives Awareness Week
Here's your guide to exploring Tampa history as the city celebrates 135 years.
TAMPA, FL â The City of Tampa will celebrate its 135th birthday during Archives Awareness Week July 10 to 16 with exhibits and programs taking place at local archives.
Archives Awareness Week was established in 1992 by the city of Tampa to bring local archivists together to present their collections through exhibits and programs that convey the value of archives in the identification, preservation and conservation of historic records.
This year, Archives Awareness Week will be held during the second week of July to coincide with the city's 135th birthday on July 15.
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Events include:
Plantâs Follies: The Casino And Tampaâs Civic Identity
On Sunday, July 10 at 3 p.m., the Henry B Plant Museum, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, will feature a lecture by Dr. Charles McGraw Groh on the history of the Tampa Bay Hotel Casino in the museum's Grand Salon.
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The most famous performers in America appeared on the stage of the Tampa Bay Hotelâs Casino at the turn of the 20th century. Groh will give attendees a behind-the scenes look at how theater programs were used to reconstruct Tampaâs place in the history of popular entertainment.
There will be video performances of period songs by soprano Katie Terres and tenor Dylan Glover.
Then join the museum for a look at the special exhibit, "Standing Room Only: Popular Entertainment in Gilded Age Tampa."
Also visit "Stop the Presses! Fake News and the War of 1898" on view in the main exhibit gallery.
Water and light refreshments will be provided.
Changes: Ybor City In 1954
On Monday, July 11 at 11 a.m., the J.C. Newman Cigar Co., 2701 N 16th St., Ybor City, will have a program about its unique history. In 1954, the J.C. Newman Cigar Co. relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, to Ybor City, aka Cigar City USA.
That year marks the beginning of several massive shifts in the fabric of the cigar industry and its constitutive community. Many Cuban and Spanish families began to relocate to West Tampa. As time went on, many of the historic cigar factories ceased operations and several historic buildings were demolished to make way for new urban improvements, such as Interstate 4.
J.C. Newman Cigar Co. is now the last operating cigar factory in Tampa and acts as the ambassador of the cityâs historic industry. Hear stories of change from the Newman famiy during a special presentation in the cigar hand rolling room.
100 Years Ago: Tampa In 1922
On Monday, July 11, at 3 p.m., the city of Tampa will have a presentation featuring local historians Fred Hearns and E.J. Salcines, who will discuss Tampa 100 years ago at Old City Hall, Council Chambers, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd.
Discussion topics will include historic Black educator Blanche Armwood, the 100th anniversary of the founding of Tampaâs Urban League and the death of Dale Mabry in 1922. Guests will receive a commemorative booklet, "Tampa in 1922."
An Overview Of Historic Sanborn Maps
On Tuesday, July 12, at 5 p.m., the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, will host a virtual program on historical Sanborn maps.
Some of the most intriguing insights into Tampaâs history can be found in Sanborn fire insurance maps, which show how the city has grown and changed over time.
Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions. This program is recommended for teens and adults.
Click here to register.
Saving Your Family Treasures
On Wednesday, July 13, at noon, the Tampa Bay History Center will offer a virtual program on preservation of family heirlooms.
Join Smithsonian experts to learn how to protect and preserve family heirlooms and archives in case of a disaster.
Preservation experts from the Smithsonian Institution will demonstrate how to handle, dry and clean damaged family heirlooms using materials accessible at local hardware or convenience stores, and will share tips on personal safety, setting priorities and options for treatment, and how to prepare for a disaster.
Click here to register.
Money Talks: How Banking Records Contextualize Florida History
On Wednesday, July 13 at 5 p.m., the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library will host a virtual program on historical banking records.
This presentation will examine the Florida Banking Records collection, focusing on the origin of the records, how they have been handled, and why these records are important to understanding the history of the Tampa Bay area.
Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Click here to register.
A Century Of SOHO: Stories And Archives On Howard Avenue
On Thursday, July 14 at 11 a.m., the Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Water St., Tampa, will feature a program titled, "A Century of SOHO: Stories and Archives on Howard Avenue."
Howard Avenue was initially the dividing line between the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County and has been home to a vibrant commercial district for over a century.
From culinary icons like Bernâs Steak House, the Old Meeting House and Alessiâs to nightlife joints like Tiny Tap and the Chatterbox, SOHO has long been a hot spot.
Explore archives from The Tampa Tribune, the Burgert Brothers Collection and the Touchton Map Library to learn about more than 100 years of history along Howard Avenue with fourth-generation Tampa native and longtime South Howard resident Cameron Hunt McNabb, an associate professor of humanities at Southeastern University.
Revisiting The 'Moral Code' Speech By Gov. LeRoy Collins
On Thursday, July 14 at 2 p.m., USF Libraries will offer a virtual program on Florida Gov. LeRoy Collins and race relations with USF Special Collections curator Andy Huse, history professor K. Stephen Prince and the Tampa Bay History Center's curator of Black history Fred Hearns.
Collins made a landmark speech on race relations that secured his legacy as one of Florida's better governors. It also cost him his career as an elected official.
Digitized from reel-to-reel audio tape, the speech perfectly conveys the frustrations of Collins in an unforgettable way.
The historians will provide commentary while inviting viewers to explore the speech for themselves online.
Click here to register.
The Soul Walk History Party
On Thursday, July 14 at 3:30 p.m., city of Tampa staff will offer a Soul Walk History Party digitizing historical Black history photographs and recording oral histories at the C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Drive Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa.
The Soul Walk History Party welcomes Black Tampanians to share their days of yesteryear. Bring your old photographs and documents to the library for scanning. Tampa will also record oral histories.
Light refreshments will be served.
Ybor City Walking Tour
On Friday, July 15 at 10 a.m., the Tampa Bay History Center will offer a Ybor City walking tour. Tour Tampaâs only National Historic Landmark District and learn about early Ybor City people, social life and work culture.
Stroll past mutual aid societies, the Ybor Cigar Factory and other key landmarks.
The tour begins at the Cuban Club, 2010 N Avenida Republica de Cuba. The cost is $20.
Click here to register.
Tomes And Treasures Of The Robert W. Saunders Sr. Public Library
On Friday, July 15, at 1 p.m and 4 p.m., the Robert W. Saunders Sr. Library, 1505 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa, will showcase its special collection.
Discover how the library acquired these artifacts and the archival methods used to preserve them for public research.
Remembering The News At The C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library
On Saturday, July 16 at 2 p.m., the C. Blythe Andrews Library will offer a program highlighting its historical Florida Sentinel Bulletin collection.
The Sentinel has been serving the Tampa community for 70-plus years.It is the only African American publication in Florida that prints twice weekly and owns all its own printing equipment.
These programs are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
More Ways To Experience Tampa's History
The following historical photographic collections from the City of Tampaâs Archives and Records Division are accessible online via the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library.
City of Tampa Archives and Records Collection
This collection features photographs from various city of Tampa departments as well as outside organizations, and contains of a broad assortment of photographs featuring local places, people and events.
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Karl's Deli in downtown Tampa, circa 1985
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Collection
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce photographic collection was donated to the city of Tampa by the Tampa Historical Society in 1994. It provides a significant pictorial record of people, places and events in Tampa from approximately 1950 to 1990.
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A photo of the American Invitational at Tampa Stadium in 1984.
Tampa Photo Supply Collection
The Tampa Photo Supply Collection was donated to the city of Tampa in 2016. It features a wide range of photographs taken by professional photographers Rose Rutigliano Weekley and Joseph Scolaro, primarily in Tampa and Hillsborough County from 1947 to 1990.
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Employees at American Life Insurance in Tampa, 1953.
Hillsboroughâs Historic Neighborhoods
The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraryâs Burgert Brothers Photographic Collection reveals the many changes that our neighborhoods have undergone. To view a selection of photographs for a virtual tour through the Hillsborough County's past, click here.
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This March 1933 photo shows Tampa Heights Hospital on the southeast corner of 301 E 7th Ave., intersecting with Morgan Street .
Hillsboroughâs Historic Neighborhoods Book List
Hillsborough County has a rich and varied history. Read about the unique neighborhoods that have influenced its culture with these fascinating stories by clicking here.
USF Libraries Virtual Exhibits
To view more virtual exhibits from USF Libraries, click here.
This exhibit, created in 2015, introduces viewers to the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee (or Johns Committee) through primary sources held by USF Tampa's Special Collections and made available online through the library's digitization unit.
Archives Awareness Week Burgert Re-Enactment Photo Challenge
July 10 to 16, visit the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library on Instagram @tampahillslib and send photos using the hashtag #LikeABurgert. Three randomly selected winners will receive a Burgert Brothers photo print of their choice donated by Bob Baggett Photography. The contest begins July 10 and the last day for submissions is July 16 at 4 p.m. Winners will be announced on Monday, July 18, on Instagram.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church was constructed in 1905 at 509 N. Florida Ave. in downtown Tampa, making it one of Tampa's oldest churches.
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