Tampa, Florida

History

Cracker Country is a living history museum located on the Florida State Fairgrounds. Named after the cracking whips of Florida's pioneer cowmen, the museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of rural life in Florida in the late 19th century. Thirteen restored original structures built between 1885-1910 are set on 4 acres and furnished to represent home life, transportation and commerce as it was in many rural communities just before the turn of the 20th century.

Tampa, Florida

Culture, General, History, Library

Located along Tampa's Riverwalk, the Tampa Bay History Center interprets 12,000 years of Florida's history, highlighting Florida's first people, Florida's maritime history, including the history of conquistadors, pirates and shipwrecks, and the cigar and cattle industries. A Smithsonian Affiliate museum, the History Center's three floors of interactive exhibits and theaters focus on the Gulf Coast, from prehistoric times to the present through artifacts, artwork, textiles, documents and furniture. Collections include more than 100 rare shipwreck artifacts recovered from Florida waters, items depicting the history of Tampa's cigar industry, and a collection of Seminole Indian artifacts including tools, clothing and ceremonial items.

Tampa, Florida

General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library

Today, Tampa Historical Society focuses on its Historic Landmark headquarters: the c. 1890 Peter O. Knight House. The House, located in the larger context of Historic Hyde Park, is a perfect tool for interpreting Tampa’s middle class in the era and district where it first grew and stabilized. Through its Collection, its publications, its educational programs, and its events, Tampa Historical Society/The Peter O. Knight House continues a long and successful relationship with Tampa, linking past, present, and future.

Tampa, Florida

Botanical Garden, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library

This Folk Victorian house was the honeymoon cottage of Peter and Lillie Knight and one of the earliest residences in Hyde Park, Tampa's first neighborhood. The House exemplifies Tampa's rising middle class's lifestyle in the Gaslight Era. Originally an "umbrella organization" of local history, Tampa Historical Society, headquartered at the Knight House, is now devoted to interpreting Victorian Era Tampa life through the House, its furnishings, artifacts, and programs, and off-site programs as well. Among the off-site programs, the most popular and unique take place at Oaklawn Cemetery (c.1850, Tampa's first public burying ground)in downtown Tampa. The Society also publishes one of the South's most prestigious journals of local history, The Sunland Tribune.

Tampa, Florida

History

Tampa, Florida

History

This organization's primary purposes are to: a) preserve the history and heritage of Tampa Fire Rescue's past, present and future, for the citizens and visitors of Tampa, FL and b) offer educational activities to the public regarding fire safety and emergency awareness.

Tampa, Florida

Culture, History, Specialized

The Tampa Police Museum is open Mon – Fri from 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. and is located on the ground floor of the Tampa Police Department headquarters building in downtown Tampa. The entrance is on the West side of the building on N. Franklin Street.

Tampa, Florida

History

The Ybor City Museum State Park and the adjoining gardens and house museum form the core of an interpretive complex that brings to life Ybor City’s colorful past.