The Heart of the Turf at Tampa’s Black History Museum
Join us at Tampa’s Black History Museum (TBHM) for an in-depth look at African American history in Thoroughbred racing.
This special program is presented by Roda Ferraro, director of the Keeneland Library and curator of The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers. Doors open at 5 p.m., followed by welcome remarks and an introduction at 5:30 p.m., Ferraro’s presentation at 5:45 p.m., audience discussion and Q&A at 6:30 p.m., and a reception at 7 p.m. Following the presentation and audience Q&A, guests are invited to a reception and an opportunity to experience the traveling exhibition.
Ferraro will highlight the lives, careers, and contributions of African American horsemen and horsewomen from the mid-1800s to today. From nationally celebrated jockeys and trainers to the skilled caretakers who worked behind the scenes, the program explores how generations of Black professionals helped shape the racing industry across the United States, often while facing systemic exclusion.
Follow Tampa’s Black History Museum on Facebook and Instagram for the latest program information and ways to get involved.
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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.
We can host your event.
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.
