Florida Conversations

Join this free monthly lecture series at the Tampa Bay History Center’s TECO Hall or watch from home as the brightest minds share their insight and research into Florida history.

Florida Conversations: Hotels, Motels and Inns of Florida

Presented by Kristen Hare, journalist, author, and Florida travel writer Since the late 1800s, tourists have been traveling to the Sunshine State for rest, sun, and fun. Over the years, …

Aug 02, 2024

Florida Conversations: A New Perspective of V.M. Ybor and His City

Join Glenn Westfall, Ph.D., as he unravels the tale of Don Vicente Martinez Ybor, tracing the Cuban cigar industry’s migration to Florida and its impact on the state’s industrial rise …

Jul 02, 2024

Florida Conversations: John Lewis: In Search of the Beloved Community

Fred Hearns, curator of Black history, will interview Ray Arsenault, Ph.D., author of the new book “John Lewis: In Search of the Beloved Community,” along with Roselia Kennedy, Ph.D., a …

Jul 02, 2024

Florida Conversations: The Story of an Estuary and Its People

History and nature intertwine in Tampa Bay and on its shores. There is no understanding of one without the other. Historian Evan P. Bennett, Ph.D., will uncover the deep-rooted relationships …

Jul 02, 2024

Florida Conversations: Tampa’s Historic Streetcars

Digital Preservation and Urban Heritage Learn about Tampa’s historic streetcar system, an iconic element of the city’s urban heritage that connects the past to the present. Residents and visitors may …

Mar 20, 2024

Florida Conversations: The Origins of Tampa Bay

Learn about Tampa Bay’s origins from the recent studies of an archaeological panel in the fields of paleoenvironment, Indigenous ecology, and history. This special edition of Florida Conversations is happening …

Dec 18, 2023

Florida Conversations: How Do We Deal with Our Confederate Ancestors? The Story of John B. Jackson

Resident David E. Barclay, Ph.D., is an excellent storyteller who will share his family history while connecting to the challenge of acknowledging one’s ancestors, whether Confederate or Union. On Feb. …

Dec 18, 2023

Florida Conversations: Why Tampa Bay’s History is America’s First History

Many Floridians are unaware of their state’s deep Spanish roots. Author Dr. Kevin Kokomoor will discuss important Spanish legacies unique to the Tampa Bay area on Jan. 10 at 6:30 …

Dec 18, 2023

Education

A new season of Florida Conversations dives deeper into our past

Florida's history is a vibrant tapestry woven with threads from diverse communities, cultures, and eras. The Tampa Bay History Center continues to be a beacon of knowledge and exploration, inviting history enthusiasts to delve into the intriguing stories that have shaped the Sunshine State.

Aug 22, 2023

Florida Conversations: Florida in the 1920s

Join History Center historians to take a look at Florida history in the 1920s, from prohibition and bootleggers to dance tunes and fashion.

Aug 21, 2023