Where the Big Water Meets the Land Spring 2018
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Official Publication of the Tampa Bay History Center CotanchobeeWHERE THE BIG WATER MEETS THE LAND SPRING 2018 COTANCHOBEE ― SPRING 2018 1 PG 12 New gallery expansion looks beyond the bay ― Touchton Map Library and Florida Center for Cartographic PG 14 Education ― PG 16 Shipwreck artifacts surface at the History Center ― 2 TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER Table of Contents 04 President’s Letter 05 Charting the Future 06 (Re) Branding the History Center 08 2017 Distinguished Volunteer Award 09 Member Update 10 2017 Annual Gala 12 Expansion Looks Beyond Tampa Bay 14 Touchton Map Library 16 Artifact Spotlight 18 History Center Leadership Staff Recieve National Honors 19 Annual Report 21 Donors and Members COTANCHOBEE ― SPRING 2018 3 President’s Letter The Year Ahead The new year has the Tampa, including the 24 local sailors who brought big changes perished when the ship was torpedoed by a to your Tampa Bay German submarine. The dramatic mosaic is History Center. In composed of more than 200,000 individual pieces February, we opened of colored glass and is located on the west corner the “Treasure of the History Center, facing Cotanchobee Park. Seekers” gallery, which tells the story of In early February, local dignitaries, including conquistadors, pirates Hillsborough County Board of County and treasure hunters Commissioners Chair Sandy Murman, U.S. who sailed Florida’s Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Tampa Mayor waters in search Bob Buckhorn and others, attended the unveiling of riches, while of the mural. The most dramatic part of the the expanded Florida Center for Cartographic program was the attendance of the present-day Education, housed within the Touchton Map crew of the USCGC Tampa. Library, is the first cartographic center in Florida. In addition to a great lineup of programs this Both additions signal great things for our future as spring, don’t miss the temporary exhibition we expand our program offerings and research “American Flags: The Stars & Stripes in American capabilities and, of course, offer that much more History & Culture,” which looks at the history of for our visitors to see and do in our galleries. the American flag and how it has evolved over Another new addition to the History Center is a time. We are grateful to Bank of America for their major public art installation memorializing the lead sponsorship of this exhibition. USCGC Tampa, which was sunk in the Bristol Channel on September 26, 1918—nearly 100 C.J. Roberts years ago. Funded by the Hillsborough County The Frank E. Duckwall President & CEO Public Art Program, the mural tells the story of 4 TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER Charting the Future Capital Campaign Progress It’s hard to believe the newly created Florida Center for Cartographic that almost a Education (FCCE) within the TML is in its final decade has passed push, with just more than $1 million left to since I first joined raise. This endowment fund will enhance the the effort to build History Center’s ability to fund map acquisitions, a new home for conservation, technology, exhibitions, internships the Tampa Bay and staff research. History Center. Back in 2006, the Gift recognition opportunities are still available, staff and Board of including the naming of the “Treasure Seekers” Trustees launched gallery, the “Pirate’s Fate” theater, and a few the campaign to more exhibits within the gallery. All donors build the Tampa Bay contributing $5,000 or more, which can be History Center, and I am – especially as a Tampa paid over a five-year period of time, will be native—proud to have been a part of that effort. recognized on the compass rose in the gallery. While recognition on the compass rose is nearing As the History Center begins the next chapter as capacity, there is still time to leave your mark in this community’s storyteller, I am again honored history. to be a part of the team. Grant E. Martin CFRE, FAFP We are deeply grateful to everyone who has VP of Capital Campaign participated in the Charting the Future Capital Campaign, which, to date, has been outstanding. The financial commitments have funded the fouth-floor expansion, including the “Treasure Seekers” gallery, “Dave’s Crow’s Nest,” the Touchton Map Library (TML) and improvements to the building and existing exhibits. Additionally, the annual cost of operating the first five years of the TML’s cartographic center has been fully If you would like more information funded. about supporting the History Center’s expansion, please contact Grant Martin However, even with the overall goal almost in directly at 813.675.8979 or hand, the final phase of the campaign to endow [email protected]. COTANCHOBEE ― SPRING 2018 5 (Re) Branding the History Center An updated brand reflects both change and tradition at the History Center. You have probably sailing ship has been at the center of the History noticed that the Center’s brand. Originally drawn around 1996, publication you’re it was updated in 2007 and selected because holding looks a it evokes the spirit of discovery and exploration little different from that has, for centuries, drawn people to Florida’s previous issues of shores and, we believe, draws visitors to the Cotanchobee. Very History Center to learn more about the past. different, hopefully. Now in its fourth iteration, this iconic symbol This revamped has been recast yet again with bold new colors newsletter is just providing a modern, updated feel in keeping with one element of the our modern building and the exciting exhibits History Center’s new and technology we use to tell the stories of look, updated for the first time in 12 years. New Tampa Bay and beyond. Our updated ship is signage and banners throughout the building, a versatile, easy to spot and suggests forward new website with online ticketing, a new gallery motion: Go. Explore. guide, membership cards and other promotional items have all been part of this updated look. While they may look modern, the fonts we selected have the weight of history behind All of these touch points use as their base a them. The font for “Tampa Bay” is a typeface newly designed logo. For more than 25 years, a created in the 19th century, while “History 6 TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER History Center logos over the past 25 years Center” uses a modified Renaissance-era typography. Combined, they provide a classic- yet-contemporary feel. I sometimes joke that “history is brown,” meaning that, often, history museums or history publications default to the yellow and brown c. 1998 hues of historic documents for their marketing materials. Funny thing is, one spin through the new Touchton Map Library and you’ll find a rainbow of pinks, blues and reds adorning 300-year-old maps. Our new logo colors feature a royal blue-green reminiscent of the water that surrounds us in Tampa Bay paired with gold, much like the treasure that visitors might find in our galleries. c. 2007 Over the years, the History Center has evolved into a community gathering place both for fun and for learning. We still offer great lectures and learning opportunities, but those opportunities might just as easily happen in a brew pub as in one of our lecture halls. Three dozen temporary exhibits over the past nine years have covered everything from Hollywood costumes to Florida wildlife, while our exhibit galleries and theaters c. 2012 offer some of the most cutting-edge technology available in museums today. As times change, as styles and sensibilities evolve, as we look at new ways to share the stories of our community and communicate with a new generation of museum goers, we think this updated look represents what the Tampa Bay History Center is today, and where it’s going in the years to come. 2018 Manny Leto Director of Marketing & Communications COTANCHOBEE ― SPRING 2018 7 Distinguished Volunteer Award Long-time History Center volunteer Jim Weiss has been honored with the 2017 Distinguished Volunteer of the Year Award. “This was a whole new opportunity to learn, and to then tell the story of Tampa Bay to kids and visitors,” he said. Weiss has amassed well over 1,500 hours of volunteer service in his seven years at the History Center. In addition to serving as a gallery guide, he’s part of the History Krewe, an outreach group that gives presentations and attends local TBHC Board of Trustees Chair, Steve Raney community events. “Rotary Club, Sertoma, I’ve (left) and TBHC President and CEO, C.J. Roberts (middle) recognize Jim Weiss (right) for his got three events coming up this month,” he says, service. checking his iPhone. A gallery docent since 2010, Jim Weiss has Always willing to take on a project, most recently been a member of the History Center since its putting together a staff and volunteer directory, nascent days as a preview center located on the or dress up for A Night at the Museum — ground floor of the Tampa Convention Center. SpongeBob SquarePants and Albert Einstein were particularly memorable — Weiss isn’t After attending the 2009 groundbreaking for the afraid to take on responsibilities or try something History Center’s current location, he decided new. “Hey,” he shrugs, “I wouldn’t be doing it if it to lend a hand. After years in the private sector wasn’t fun.” at IBM, where he was on the “bleeding edge” of technology, the History Center offered a new kind of challenge. American Flags dating back to the 1790s and original artwork - including Andy Warhol’s “Moonwalk” - trace the evolution of the Stars and Stripes throughout America’s history. 8 TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER Member Update It’s an exciting time at yards (about 400 steps) from the History Center.