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Annual Gala
November 8 @ 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
$300
After a long summer, Tampa families, sponsors and history lovers gathered together for a night of fun and celebration at the History Center’s Annual Gala. Gala Chairs, History Center Trustee Duncan Belser and his wife Jessica, welcomed the crowd to celebrate the region’s maritime and agricultural heritage with the theme “Ships and Saddles.” Partygoers donned tuxes and gowns with their best cowboy boots and bolos! Themed welcome cocktails, a “Blue Horizon” and “Cowboy Punch” kicked off the evening.
The Columbia Cafe continued the festivities with a lavish “surf and turf” spread. A “Ships” buffet featured a seemingly endless fresh seafood bar with shrimp, crab claws, lobster and Spanish style hog fish, while the “Saddles” display included smoked brisket, apple brandy duck sausage, pecan guava pork ribs and native chili. A s’mores bar, bourbon cake and saloon bar of specialty cocktails rounded out the offerings. A Gala favorite, The Paul Vesco Band kept guests dancing long past dessert.
CLICK HERE to view and download Gala 2024 photos.
Thank You 2024 Gala Sponsors
PLATINUM
The Alston M. Barrow Family
Duncan and Jessica Belser
Casper Adams Foundation
Gary and Margo Harrod
The Himes Family
The Lowry Murphey Family Foundation
Raymond James
TECO – An Emera Company
GOLD
The Baldwin Group
Lowry and Jennifer Baldwin
The Bank of Central Florida
Mary and Clinch Belser
Ernst & Young, LLP
Todd and Erin Farha
Ferman Motor Car Company
Financial Recovery Group, Inc.
The Gonzmart Family
Hill Ward Henderson
iFame Media
JNR Family Foundation
Sue and Bob Isbell
Lightning Foundation
Ellery and Trace Linder
Becky and Neil Rauenhorst
Tampa Bay Rays &
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Tampa Bay Trust Company
Tom Touchton
Triad Foundation, Inc.
Jaynie and Stan Whitcomb
SILVER
Michael and June Annis
The Bank of Tampa
Mike and Karen Blount
CBIZ & MHM
Christopher and Miriam Lykes
Gail and Tyson Lykes
John C. Mills, Jr.
John and Susan Mueller
Jones Lang LaSalle Brokerage, Inc.
Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen
Steve and Natalie Raney
Liz and Steve Reynolds
Rizzetta & Company
Mark and Christina Sievers
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
AGW Capital Advisors /
Dana and Paul Whiting
Pat Wolfe
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Plan ahead.
Museum hours
The history center is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
**Galleries are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas and open until 3 p.m. on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Admission prices
College Student: $16.95
Senior (60+): $16.95
Child (0-6): Free
Members: Free
**First responders and veterans may receive discounted admission at Visitor Services.
We can host your event.
Weddings
The History Center provides a dramatic and historic backdrop for your wedding, wedding reception or rehearsal dinner. Give your wedding a unique Tampa flair your guests will remember for a lifetime.
Corporate events
Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind Tampa experience for your next corporate event or convention party? Are you a meeting planner looking for a unique setting to host a board retreat or employee function? Located within walking distance of downtown hotels, the History Center is perfect for your next corporate event.
