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.

Education

Florida Conversations: Racing’s Black Pioneers

This February, Florida Conversations complements the latest temporary exhibition, The Sport of Kings and Queens, with a closer look at Black pioneers of Thoroughbred racing. Join the History Center Feb. …

Feb 05, 2026

Gallery Open House and Florida Conversations

Join us for a special reception for members and friends celebrating the newest temporary exhibition, America at the Crossroads: The Guitar and a Changing Nation. Guests are also invited to …

Feb 04, 2026

Florida Conversations: The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers

Join this season’s Florida Conversations for an exploration of African American history in Thoroughbred racing. This program features Roda Ferraro, director of the Keeneland Library and curator of The Heart …

Dec 30, 2025

Florida Conversations: The Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping

Join this season’s Florida Conversations to learn more about landscaping in Florida. Explore how the land-grant and Extension system emerged from 19th- and early 20th-century legislation with speaker Michael Masucci, …

Dec 17, 2025

Florida Conversations: Stories of Florida’s Fishing Culture

Step inside TECO Hall or join online for Stories of Florida’s fishing culture, part of the Tampa Bay History Center’s 2025 Florida Conversations series. This lively panel brings together experts from Florida Fish and Wildlife and Florida Folklore to share the stories, traditions, and lasting appeal of fishing across the state. From coastal communities to inland waters, discover how Florida’s fishing heritage continues to shape its people and culture.

Oct 17, 2025

Florida Conversations: A Motion Picture Paradise!

Florida has long been a hidden player in shaping film and television. Join historian David Morton, Ph.D., as he uncovers the state’s cinematic legacy, from Jacksonville’s early studios to South Florida’s modern television boom.

Oct 02, 2025

Florida Conversations: Work, War, Wit, Wisdom: Lessons and Legacies from Ybor City

Presented by the Tampa Bay History Center and USF Libraries, this free program is part of the Florida Conversations series, underwritten by the Tampa Bay History Center Endowment Fund at …

Sep 29, 2025

Florida Conversations: Tracing Florida Journeys

Dr. Leslie Poole shares research spanning the colonial period to the 20th century, focusing on explorers and travelers who documented their experiences in Florida. Her work reveals how the state’s …

Nov 27, 2024

Florida Conversations: Chitlin’ Circuit

The Tampa Bay History Center and WUSF present a program on the Florida Chitlin’ Circuit, a network of Black-owned venues that thrived during the Jim Crow era. Local and national …

Nov 27, 2024

Florida Conversations: History of Catholic-Jewish Relations in Tampa Bay

This program examines the intertwined history of Tampa’s Catholic and Jewish communities. A panel of longtime local leaders will share knowledge and personal experiences, offering insights into this unique relationship. …

Nov 27, 2024