Make the most of summer with free admission to the Tampa Bay History Center!
By Billy Somerville, Director of Marketing & Communications | Tampa Bay History Center
This summer, take time to explore Florida’s past with your family. The Tampa Bay History Center is participating in the 2025 Blue Star Museums program, which offers free admission from May 17 through Sept. 1 to military ID holders and their immediate family members.
Located on Tampa’s Water Street, the History Center features three floors of exhibitions covering more than 12,000 years of Florida history and culture. From early Indigenous communities to Spanish explorers, immigrant laborers and military leaders, the museum shares the stories that shaped this region.
What to expect
The History Center offers hands-on exhibits, immersive galleries and theaters that allow families to engage with the past in a way that is both educational and meaningful. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a Smithsonian Affiliate, the center also includes the Touchton Map Library, the Witt Research Center and the Columbia Cafe.
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Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Located along the Tampa Riverwalk, with nearby parks, dining and attractions
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Includes topics ranging from pirates and pioneers to Tampa’s role in U.S. military history
Before your visit, talk with your family about what you’re most interested in. Whether it’s Tampa’s early days or the ships that once traveled the Gulf, the museum’s exhibitions span a wide range of topics.
Mission: History! A Pirate’s Guide to Florida’s Past
Join us on Saturday, June 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. for Mission: History! A Pirate’s Guide to Florida’s Past, a special scavenger hunt designed for families. This self-guided activity encourages exploration throughout the museum’s three floors.
Pick up your field guide at the Welcome Desk starting at 1 p.m. Then, make your way through galleries that cover:
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Second floor: Learn about Florida’s First People, dugout canoes, prehistoric tools and the growth of Tampa’s early settlements.
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Third floor: Step inside a pioneer cabin, take part in a simulated cattle drive and examine the region’s military history.
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Fourth floor: Explore a replica sailing ship, try your hand at navigation and view maritime artifacts recovered from Florida waters.
Click here to RSVP to Mission: History! on Saturday, June 14.
Sponsored by Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union
This year’s Blue Star Museums program at the Tampa Bay History Center is presented by Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union, a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution that has served Hillsborough County since 1935.
With modern technology like Teller OnDemand™ interactive teller machines and a strong branch presence, Tampa Bay Federal combines innovative convenience with the warmth of traditional service—delivering "The Tampa Bay Way" every step of the way. Learn more at www.TampaBayFederal.com.
Local Blue Star Museums
In addition to the History Center, these museums across the region are also participating in the Blue Star Museums program:
To learn more about the Tampa Bay History Center and plan your visit, go to www.tampabayhistorycenter.org.