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Living History Saturday: Remembering the RAF Cadets in Arcadia, Florida
Join us for Living History Saturday at the Tampa Bay History Center, where Carol Mahler, museum and research library coordinator for the DeSoto County Historical Society, will take you back to the early days of World War II. Before the U.S. entered the war, Royal Air Force cadets trained in Arcadia, Florida, under the Arnold Plan. In March 1941, the Riddle Aeronautical Institute welcomed these cadets, supported by locals like Helen Scott.
Mahler will portray Scott, sharing her scrapbook and stories of the 23 RAF cadets who died and are buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery. This presentation highlights the bond between the cadets and the Arcadia community.
Presentations will be held at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m., and are included with general admission. Discover local history brought to life — your journey through time awaits!
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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.
