Revisiting Tampa Bay's History

In one of my weekend trips to Tampa, I visited the Tampa Bay History Center. The museum has three floors containing permanent and temporary exhibits on the history of Tampa and the Gulf Coast.  It also has a museum store, a classroom, research hall, a theater and Colombia Cafe (a branch of the renowned Colombia Restaurant).

As seen from the front courtyard of the building

Here are some of the exhibits I saw at the museum:

Artifacts from the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes including clothing, tools, artwork, weapons, jewelry.

"Cigar City" showcases the history of Tampa's cigar industry.

A film about the first European explorers who came to Florida.

What remains of Seabreeze by the Bay, a popular restaurant in Tampa.

A conquistador sitting at the lobby.

Chilling at Columbia Cafe.