Tampa residents and history enthusiasts can mark their calendars for a special week of events commemorating the city’s founding. From July 13-18, seven different events will showcase Tampa’s rich heritage through tours, dedications, and educational programs across the city.
The festivities kick off Sunday, July 13 at 1:00 p.m. with a unique glimpse into the past at the Henry B. Plant Museum. Located at 401 W. Kennedy Boulevard, the museum will present an engaging session exploring potential “Employee of the Year” candidates from the Tampa Bay Hotel in 1925, drawing from original historical records. Visitors can also tour the museum’s current exhibit, Dressed for Success: Fashioning Manhood at the Tampa Bay Hotel. The event offers free admission along with water and light refreshments.
City officials will host an official birthday celebration Monday, July 14 at 3:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 315 E. Kennedy Boulevard. The event features a special tribute to Frances Henriquez, who made history as Tampa’s first female city clerk. Local historian Fred Hearns will present a visual journey showing Tampa’s landscape from 1925. Attendees will receive commemorative booklets and birthday cake in celebration of the city.
Tampa’s cigar-making heritage takes center stage Tuesday, July 15 at 11:00 a.m. The J.C. Newman Cigar Company at 2701 N. 16th Street opens its doors for tours of the ongoing restoration of the 115-year-old Sanchez y Haya Building. Company owner Drew Newman and historian Holden Rasmussen will guide visitors through the historic structure while explaining its significance to Tampa’s cigar industry and role in current revitalization efforts.
That same evening at 6:00 p.m., Tampa’s Black History Museum at 1213 N. Central Avenue launches its “Boots on the Ground for Our History” campaign. The initiative encourages community members to contribute personal artifacts that help document Tampa’s Black heritage. History Center staff will demonstrate how individual stories and items become vital parts of the city’s historical record.
The following night, education history continues at 5:30 p.m. when the Black History Museum will also host a centennial celebration for Booker T. Washington School. Presenters Fred Hearns and Ashley Morrow will examine the institution’s century-long influence on Tampa’s educational landscape and the countless students who passed through its halls on Wednesday, July 16th.
Aviation enthusiasts won’t want to miss Thursday’s event at Tampa International Airport. From 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Level 3 of the Main Terminal, visitors can explore the extensive archives of what’s often called “America’s Favorite Airport.” The collection includes early concept drawings, vintage photographs, and rare footage documenting both the current facility and its history.
The week concludes Friday, July 18 at 11:00 a.m. with a solemn dedication ceremony at City Center at 2555 E. Hanna Avenue. Local leaders will unveil new historical markers recognizing three significant burial grounds: Marti-Colon Cemetery, St. Joseph Aid/Montana City Cemetery, and Woodlawn Cemetery.
Each event offers Tampa residents and visitors a different perspective on the city’s evolution, from its resort hotel era through its industrial boom to its now modern identity. The diverse programming ensures opportunities for all ages to connect with Tampa’s past while celebrating its present and future growth.