Exhibit Opening: Cinema in the Sunshine State
Before Hollywood became the center of the movie industry, filmmakers were already setting up cameras in Florida.
Opening Sept. 19 at the Tampa Bay History Center, Cinema in the Sunshine State explores more than a century of filmmaking across Florida through more than 50 original artifacts. See rare film ephemera, 1920s theater projectors, Edison-period cameras, Tampa Theatre marquee letters and other objects gathered from institutions throughout the state.
The exhibition traces Florida’s film history from the arrival of motion picture cameras in the late 1890s to memorable productions featuring Tarzan, Esther Williams and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Visitors will discover how Jacksonville became an early center of American filmmaking and how Florida’s warm climate, natural landscapes and distinctive communities helped attract generations of filmmakers.
The exhibition also celebrates the Tampa Theatre during its centennial year. Original furnishings, blueprints and architectural elements reveal the craftsmanship behind one of the Tampa Bay area’s most recognizable landmarks.
Whether you love classic movies, Florida history, graphic design or historic theaters, Cinema in the Sunshine State offers a new look at the people, places and promotional art that helped shape the movies Americans remember.
Cinema in the Sunshine State will be on exhibit in the Wayne Thomas Gallery from Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, through Sunday, March 21, 2027. The Tampa Bay History Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 801 Water St. in Tampa.
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.
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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.
