Blog | Tampa Bay History Center

Tampa Bay History

Kate Jackson: A woman well ahead of her time

Born in 1857 to pioneering parents, Kate Jackson was a bold leader and entrepreneur in Tampa, Fla.

Mar 27, 2023

Membership

Navigating your visit to the Tampa Bay History Center with ParkWhiz

The ultimate guide to stress-free parking Visiting the Tampa Bay History Center promises an enriching journey. To ensure that your exploration starts off seamlessly, managing the mundane yet crucial aspect …

Videos

Tampa’s Longshoremen

In the past, ships filled with everything from bananas to bags of cement had to be loaded and unloaded by hand. It could take scores of men several days to fill or empty one ship.

Videos

Tampa’s Central Avenue and the Scrub

Cheryl Rodriguez, Ph.D., professor at the University of South Florida, shares the history of Tampa's Central Avenue and the Scrub.

Artifacts In 3D

Pocket globe hinged case

This hinged case container was designed to hold a terrestrial pocket globe, popular in the late 1700s to early 1800s.

Artifacts In 3D

Wood artifact with silver lion head adornment

The items in this piece are shown in a possible “fit” reconstruction, but today consist of individual pieces.

Artifacts In 3D

Engraved powder horn with map

In partnership with the Tampa Bay History Center, the Digital Heritage and Humanities Collections at the University of South Florida Libraries uses the latest digital and mapping technologies to create …

Hands-On Activities

Pirate snacks

During the Age of Exploration, sailors, like pirates and explorers, would sometimes not see a dock for months. Without a refrigerator, they needed something to eat that would last for longer periods of time, so they made hard tack or ship’s biscuits.

Hands-On Activities

Map Making

Did you know? The Tampa Bay History Center is the only cartographic center in the Southeastern United States! Our Touchton Map Library’s collection consists of thousands of maps, charts, atlases, and other cartographic materials.

Hands-On Activities

Pirate Sword

In the Treasure Seekers exhibit, you can learn all about the pirates! Here are directions to make your own pirate sword at home!