The heart of what was once Tampa's most vibrant Black neighborhood is set to host the city's inaugural Black History Museum, nestled within the historic frame of the former St. James Episcopal Church in the Encore district. Notably, the Tampa Housing Authority and the Tampa Bay History Center have joined forces, announcing their partnership this Monday, as reported by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. With renovations already complete, the church stands as a testament to the community's resilience and a symbol of the larger project at Encore, a 40-acre mixed-income development initiative north of downtown Tampa, which includes both affordable and market-rate residential units that began opening in 2012.
The museum's founding is particularly significant as it aligns with Juneteenth commemorations, reflecting a collective homage to Black history and culture; Tampa Mayor Jane Castor described the museum's role as a space to "learn from historical mistakes so that we don't make those mistakes again," as she expressed during a celebratory event, while Councilmember Gwen Henderson envisions the location serving not only as a hub for locals but as a beckoning for visitors to recognize Tampa's growth and its future potential it was an expression resonating with her dual role as a local business owner and public servant, which she articulated in comments acquiring from the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Meanwhile, the museum itself promises an array of exhibits and events, chronicling the historical tapestry of this African American enclave. The collaborative initiative, branded as St James @ Encore, initially offered cultural, historical, and educational programs as a preview to its full museum status, with the structure's 1921 origins serving as an appropriate backdrop. This narrative, as detailed by the 83 Degrees Media, shows the informed progression of an idea into a tangible space for community and history to coalesce.
Visitors can expect a wide-ranging exploration of Tampa's Black heritage, thanks to program director Ashley Morrow and the staff at the Tampa Bay History Center; they're working on exhibits that will showcase aspects such as music, churches, neighborhoods, food, fashion, and the bustling Central Avenue cultural district, to truly canvas the vivid colors of Tampa's African American narrative according to Fred Hearns, the curator of Black history there's a concerted effort to weave a story that is as rich and diverse as the community itself and this endeavor was brought to light by the Tampa Bay Times. Taking pride in these narratives is not only about celebration but it is infiltrating the future with the knowledge of the past, as Jerome Ryans, president and CEO of the Tampa Housing Authority, underscored in statements emphasizing the importance of preserving diverse histories for the strength of the community.
