New Plant Museum exhibit shares real stories of Rough Riders in Tampa

A new exhibit at the H.B. Plant Museum called "Stop the Presses! Fake News and the War of 1898" just opened. The exhibit is aiming to reveal the real stories.

Meet the 92-year-old woman behind TPA's logo, color-coded zones

Millions of passengers travel through Tampa International Airport every year and folks are able to easily find their way around thanks to Jane Davis Doggett.

Woman whose grandfather was lynched searching for descendants of Polk County lynching victims

Cars and trucks zip by the Peace River Bridge on State Road 60 just east of Bartow as Doris Moore-Bailey stands on the bank pondering the gruesome thought of lynchings that happened on that site.

500 years of Cuban stories on display at Tampa Bay History Center

Throughout history and into the present day, Cuba and the Cuban people have had a profound impact on Florida, especially Tampa. That history of Cuban struggle and triumph is now on display at the Tampa Bay History Center. 

The history of Cuban coffee: Cigar rollers on strike demanded café con leche upon return to work

Cuban people and cigar production came to Ybor City in the 1880s and good coffee came with them. It became so popular, when cigar rollers went on strike, they demanded to be allowed to drink café con leche at their desks.

'Food will win the war': Grouper's thrust into popularity during WWI

Grouper wasn't exactly what they call a "trash-fish," but not far off. It received its first push towards popularity in March 1917, on the eve of the United States entering World War I.

St. Petersburg Museum of History celebrates 100 years

The St. Petersburg Museum of History has been sharing the city's storied past for an entire century now.

Once sold as 'colored property,' Carver City and Lincoln Gardens now golden real estate

World War II was winding down and at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, young, Black veterans faced segregation, but they also found opportunity in the government-subsidized properties of Lincoln Gardens and Carver City.

St. Petersburg plans for new Black history museum

On Tuesday, St. Petersburg's first Black mayor, Ken Welch kicked off Black History Month by raising the African American history flag over City Hall. Community leaders say they want a new museum to preserve that history.

The history of piracy is far from the experience of Gasparilla – but that's OK

Beads, feathers, comfortable shoes and fresh whiskey – all easy to find at the Gasparilla Pirate Invasion and Parade. For pirates in the 1700s, life was filthy, smelly, and very dangerous.

Tampa architect brings history of Lee Elementary into school's future as Tampa Heights Elementary

At first, you might think Tampa Heights Elementary is an old school -- and it is, but it's also brand new. It was nearly destroyed by a fire just after Hurricane Irma in 2017. Some believed the historic 1906 school was gone forever, but not everyone.

Home carrying legacy of Sarasota's first Black community to be relocated, transformed for cultural center

A home in Sarasota's Rosemary District will soon carry the legacy of the city’s first Black community. Plans are in the works to transform it into an African American cultural arts center and history museum, but first the home has to be relocated.

100 years after founding of Sarasota's Newtown community, first bank opens its doors

After playing football in the NFL, Carlos Yancy returned home to the Newtown. Now he's working to better his community with First Home Bank – the town's first bank since it was established in 1914.

Aerial photographs showing Tampa's changing landscape donated to History Center

The work of late Tampa pilot and photographer Bill Morris gives a view of Tampa’s transformations through time. Many saw his aerial photographs in the pages of the Tampa Tribune, but now his work will live on for generations at the Tampa Bay History Center. 

State considers establishing department to find, honor lost cemeteries

Lawmakers in Florida are moving the state another step toward grappling with its history of racial segregation, specifically regarding Black-only cemeteries that were covered over or otherwise ignored.

Plant City community mourns death of iconic Whistle Stop Café owner

Jerry Lofstrom, the owner of The Whistle Stop Café, died December 13 after a long illness. The café he built more than 20 years ago contains a treasure trove of antiques, collectibles, model trains, model cars, and everything Jerry liked. But many came because they liked Jerry.

Babe Ruth home run ball is back at UT after 102 years

On April 4, 1919, Babe Ruth hit a monstrous home run in Tampa. It took 102 years, but the ball that changed the course of America's pastime is now back at home plate, on display at the Henry B. Plant Museum.