TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The City of Tampa celebrates turning 138 with Archives Awareness Week, a weeklong event featuring guided tours, free events and special exhibits.
The City of Tampa, collaborating with local cultural institutions, invites residents to discover the rich history that has shaped the community for the past 138 years.
Established in 1992, Archives Awareness Week preserves Tampa's legacy and provides a valuable learning experience for everyone involved.
The schedule for this year's festivities is as follows:
Sunday, July 13
The celebration kicks off at 1 p.m. with the Henry B. Plant Museum providing an eye-opening look at the workers behind the Tampa Bay Hotel with 'Manhood at Work in 1925.' Following that, at 3 p.m., there will be a tour of Tampa's oldest Catholic church, Sacred Heart.
Monday, July 14
A look at the life and legacy of former City Clerk Frances Henriquez, and an exploration of Tampa 100 years ago with historian Fred Hearns. This will take place at 3 p.m., and afterward there will be birthday cake.
Tuesday, July 15
This marks Tampa's official birthday, and the celebration will start at 11 a.m. with a special guided tour of the newly restored Sanchez y Haya Building by the J.C. Newman Company. At 6 p.m., attendees can discover how personal artifacts help preserve Tampa's Black heritage thanks to Tampa's Black History Museum.
Wednesday, July 16
Commemorate the 100th anniversary of Booker T. Washington School with stories and history at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 17
At 11 a.m., USF Libraries will present how the Progress Village Collection is building community through archives. Then, from 5 to 8 p.m., Tampa International Airport will showcase rare historical artifacts, early airport drawings and archival footage from the airport's past.
Friday, July 18
At 11 a.m., the Soulwalker Marker Dedication invites you to celebrate Tampa's history with new markers at Marti-Colon Cemetery, Woodlawn Cemetery and St. Joseph Aid Cemetery/Montana City Cemetery. The Tampa Bay History Center will offer an exclusive guided tour of 'Invisible Immigrants: Spaniards in the U.S. (1868–1945).'
Saturday, July 19
Centro Asturiano hosts an event at 11 a.m. where attendees can join Dr. Sarah McNamara, author of 'Ybor City: Crucible of the Latina South', for a compelling talk. Free brunch and mimosas will be served. Afterward, learn how to interpret historic maps with expert staff from the John F. Germany Library at 3 p.m.
For more information and to see a full schedule of the week's events, go here.
