HISTORY CENTERS, MUSEUMS & SOCIETIES

Albert Whitted Airport Preservation Society

The Albert Whitted Airport Preservation Society is dedicated to preserving and enhancing Albert Whitted Airport (one of the nation’s most historic aviation facilities), and to keeping this downtown transportation and commerce center a vibrant part of St. Petersburg. Their aim is to make the airport the finest general aviation airport in the country — one that incorporates public recreation areas, aviation education, vibrant airport businesses, and an aviation museum to showcase St. Pete’s aviation history. awaps.org

727-822-1532

Center for Gulf Coast Folklife

The Center for Gulf Coast Folklife focuses on local, Gulf Coast and Florida folklife through exhibits, festivals, performances, and workshops to present and preserve Tarpon’s Greek culture.

They have the Folklife Gallery for traveling exhibitions, a monthly “Night In the Islands” outdoor event, the Greek Community Documentation Project for maintaining the community’s cultural heritage, folklife workshops to share skills and knowledge with the community, and various musical and dance concerts.

tarponarts.org/center-for-gulf

-coast- folklife

727-937-1130

Clearwater Historical Society

The Clearwater Historical Society is dedicated to educating, collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and promoting the people, culture and events of Clearwater’s rich past. The society’s current focus is the Clearwater Historical Museum and Cultural Center, located within the historic South Ward School in downtown Clearwater.

clearwaterhistoricalsociety.org

727-754-8019

Dunedin History Museum

The Dunedin Museum shares Dunedin’s legacy and heritage through a collection of historical artifacts and documents of Dunedin with learning opportunities for visitors. The museum contains approximately 2,000 artifacts, 2,500 photographs, and a library containing 200 volumes of local and Florida history. Included in the collection is an electronic archive of the Dunedin Times Newspaper, from 1924 through 1965.

dunedinmuseum.org

727-736-1176

Gulf Beaches Historical Museum

The Gulf Beaches Historical Museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, and exhibit the history of the barrier islands. Visitors can learn about local island heritage through a timeline display from 1500 to the present, artifacts from the Sunshine and Gulf Beaches schools, island churches, hundreds of then-andnow photographs, postcards, a World War II exhibit, a Don CeSar Hotel display, and a special exhibit that changes yearly. New items are added regularly throughout the museum.

gulfbeachesmuseum.com

727-552-1610

Heritage Village

Heritage Village is an open-air history museum situated on 21 acres located in Pinewood Cultural Park. The site features 33 historic structures as well as interactive programming, museum exhibits, group activities, and the library and archives, which hold an expansive collection of Pinellas County history. Heritage Village is a part of Pinellas County’s Parks and Conservation Resources Department and receives additional support from the Pinellas County Historical Society and Pin-MAR Antique Car Club.

heritagevillagefl.org

727-582-2123

Indian Rocks Historical Museum

Founded in 1980, the Indian Rocks Area Historical Society and Museum is a volunteer-run museum that focuses on collecting, preserving and sharing the history of the city of Indian Rocks. Exhibits include artifacts from area attractions, relics of the Tocobaga Indians, and remains from a mystery shipwreck offshore. A whole-wall timeline gives an overview of the community’s history. irbmuseum.com

727-593-3861

Kerouac House

Author Jack Kerouac, whose talent at the typewriter transformed the face of American culture from music and art to literature and language, spent his last days writing in St. Petersburg, where he died Oct. 21, 1969. His house, vacant since the mid-’80s, still stands in the Disston Heights neighborhood, and is maintained and currently under restoration by the nonprofit Friends of Jack Kerouac’s House, Inc. stpetekerouachouse.com

Oldsmar Historical Society

The Oldsmar Historical Society’s mission is to collect, classify, protect and display items, records, photographs, stories of events and customs of the history of Oldsmar, and to research, write and publish articles concerning that history. The society is located inside the Oldsmar Bank building, with its Italian glazed tile exterior and new interior, renovated with green building materials and methods.

oldsmarhistoricalsociety.org

813-445-4690

Pinellas County African American History Museum

The Pinellas County African American History Museum preserves and celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans of the past and present through exhibits, educational programs, and research materials that document the African American social and cultural experience.

curtismuseum.org

727-266-3390

Pinellas Pioneer Settlement

The Pinellas Pioneer Settlement is a volunteer organization whose mission is to authentically recreate the history of Pinellas County pioneers through the relocation or recreation of historical buildings and through education about the lives of early settlers. The settlement is a living museum experience where visitors can observe and take part in the skills, crafts, and social customs of late 19th century life in west central Florida. It is open on the first Saturday of each month.

pinellaspioneersettlement.org

727-893-7326

Preserve the ‘Burg

Since 1977, Preserve the ‘Burg (PTB) has been working to secure the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, maintenance, and acquisition of important natural, scenic, historic and architectural sites, and structures in and around St. Petersburg. PTB works with the City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, businesses, and individuals to identify historic districts and sites, landmark significant structures, and foster appreciation of St. Petersburg’s historic environment. Their goal is to instill an appreciation of the ‘Burg’s residents’ shared heritage and culture.

preservetheburg.org

727-824-7802

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Sacred Lands Preservation and Education

Sacred Lands Preservation and Education, Inc. is dedicated to preserving land in St. Petersburg with historical and archaeological significance, specifically the Narvaez/ Anderson Indian Mound. The mound is the site of an ancient Tocobaga Indian village and is representative of settlements in the Tampa Bay Area from 900 to the 1500s. Sacred Lands hosts a variety of programs that showcase the beauty of this natural and historical site.

sacredlandspreservationand education.org

727-347-0354

Safford House Museum

Tarpon Arts manages and curates the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum, Safford House Museum, Tarpon Springs tarponarts.org/ about-tarpon-springs/us

Performing Arts Center, and Tarpon Springs Cultural Center, supporting heritage and historic preservation activities and establishing Tarpon Springs as a dynamic cultural destination. A branch of the Cultural & Civic Services Department, they present stimulating, engaging, and educational performances, workshops, festivals, concerts, and visual arts, celebrating the heritage and culture of Tarpon Springs and Florida, while bringing nationally acclaimed artists to the community.

727-942-5605

Seminole Historical Society and Museum

The Seminole Historical Society was founded with the mission of preserving historic artifacts, documents, articles, and buildings in Seminole, Florida. Its volunteers are dedicated to ensuring that future generations will have a place to learn the stories of pioneering families from the past who helped create the town of Seminole. The museum serves as a repository for local history and encourages donations of historical documents, photographs, and artifacts.

seminolehistoricalsociety.org

727-399-0587

St. Petersburg Museum of History

Located on the St. Pete Pier, the St. Petersburg Museum of History shares Florida’s stories as the hub of scholarship and learning to inspire, entertain, and promote civic engagement. Current exhibits explore St. Pete’s history & growth, the first commercial flight, the world’s largest collection of autographed baseballs, and more. In addition to collecting, preserving and sharing the history and heritage of Florida and Pinellas County, the museum hosts a variety of programs. Events include trolley and walking tours, and a monthly “Happy Hour with the Historian” speaker series covering topics on Florida’s past and present.

spmoh.com

727-894-1052

Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

Unique vintage cars fill this 12,000-square-foot museum, which aims to serve as a demonstration of creativity and imagination in engineering. The collection includes cars from Citroën, Alvis, Peugeot, Ruxton, and DeLorean. A real point of excitement is the one-of-a- kind replica of the French 1770 Fardier de Cugnot, the first self-propelled vehicle in the world.

tbauto.org

727-579-8226

Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum

Tarpon Arts manages and curates the Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum, Safford House Museum, Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, and Tarpon Springs Cultural Center, supporting heritage and historic preservation activities and establishing Tarpon Springs as a dynamic cultural destination. A branch of the Cultural & Civic Services Department, they present stimulating, engaging, and educational performances, workshops, festivals, concerts, and visual arts, celebrating the heritage and culture of Tarpon Springs and Florida, while bringing nationally acclaimed artists to the community.

tarponarts.org/ about-tarpon-springs/us

727-942-5605

Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society

The Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society provides a welcome center and museum at the Historic Train Depot built in 1909. On display are many exhibits devoted to the city’s architectural, cultural and artistic past. The collections include thousands of archived photographs and documents. Docents provide free tours as well as compelling information about Tarpon Springs to visitors.

tarponspringsareahistoricalsociety.org

727-943-4624 learn and grow Pinellas County colleges and universities, educational centers, and libraries bring the community together and empower minds.