Tampa Bay History Center Highlights Archives Awareness Week 2025

Each July, the City of Tampa celebrates Archives Awareness Week with programs that emphasize the importance of preserving local history. As the city marks its 138th birthday, the Tampa Bay History Center is proud to host and support several events that reflect the city’s diverse stories and communities.

Click here for the complete list of events happening across the City.

These events are part of a citywide celebration that includes dozens of partners showcasing archival collections, public memory, and local history. For a full schedule, visit the City of Tampa’s Archives Awareness Week page.

Sunday, July 13

• “Manhood at Work in 1925”
  1 p.m., Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd.
• Sacred Heart Catholic Church
  3 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, 509 N. Florida Ave.

Monday, July 14

• Happy Birthday, Tampa!
  3 p.m., City of Tampa, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd., third floor, City Council chambers

Tuesday, July 15

• El Avance: Progress in V.M. Ybor Since 1954
  11 a.m., J.C. Newman Co., 2701 N. 16th St.
• Preserving Tampa’s Black History: Boots on the Ground Campaign
  6 p.m., Tampa’s Black History Museum, 1213 N. Central Ave.

Wednesday, July 16

• Lynn Ash: Story of Tampa
  10 a.m., City Center at Hanna Avenue, 2555 E. Hanna Ave., HR training room
• 100 Years of Booker T. Washington School
  5:30 p.m., Tampa’s Black History Museum, 1213 N. Central Ave.

Thursday, July 17

• Archiving Class with Tampa Museum of Art
  11 a.m., Robert W. Saunders Sr. Library, 1505 N. Nebraska Ave.
• Building Community Partnerships with the Progress Village Collection
  2 p.m., USF Libraries, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., first floor, Room 125G
• Archives of America’s Favorite Airport
  5 p.m., Tampa International Airport, 4100 George J. Bean Parkway, Main Terminal event space (Level 3)

Friday, July 18

• Soulwalk Historical Marker Dedication
  11 a.m., City Center at Hanna Avenue, 2555 E. Hanna Ave., community room
• “Invisible Immigrants:” Exclusive Exhibit Tour
  2 p.m., Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Water St.

Saturday, July 19

• Brunch, Book Talk, and Film Premiere with Dr. Sarah McNamara 
  • 11 a.m., Centro Asturiano de Tampa, 1913 N. Nebraska Ave. (RSVP HERE)
• Colonial Florida: Exploring History and Language Through Maps
  3 p.m., John F. Germany Library, 900 N. Ashley Drive

About Archives Awareness Week

The City of Tampa celebrates Archives Awareness Week each year in mid-July, coinciding with the city’s birthday. In 2025, Tampa marks its 138th year since its founding on July 15, 1887. Established in 1992 by the City of Tampa Archives Advisory Committee, Archives Awareness Week highlights the importance of preserving Tampa’s history and government records. Led by Archives and Records, a division of the City Clerk’s Office, the week features exhibits and programs presented by local institutions showcasing the value of archives in preserving community heritage.

This year’s participating organizations include Centro Asturiano de Tampa, the City of Tampa, the Henry B. Plant Museum, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. Museum, Sacred Heart Church Historical Society, the Tampa Bay History Center, the Tampa Firefighters Museum, Tampa International Airport, the Tampa Museum of Art, the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library, and USF Libraries.

Additional support is provided by Bookends: Literature & Libations, Preserve the ‘Burg, Shuffle, and the Ybor City Historical Society.