The community is invited to delve into Tampa’s legendary Central Avenue district thanks to a walking tour conducted by the Tampa Bay History Center.
The museum has taken its passion for educating the community about Tampa Bay and transformed it into a layered tour back through time to one of the most iconic African-American community districts in the area from the 1890s through the late 1960s. Participants will walk approximately six blocks to explore the “social, political, musical and religious traditions of Black life in Tampa.”
“There are several spots along the tour that take guests throughout the area,” said Manny Leto, TBHC Director of Marketing and Communications. “It goes through some of the areas which were key parts of the Central Avenue area, which really doesn’t exist any longer in its physical form. It exists now in the memory of its former residents and in the stories we tell, but there’s not a lot that physically remains of that historic landmark in our community.”
The museum has offered the tour for several years and Leto said it continues to remain a priority for TBHC. It is a way to “extend the museum’s experience beyond its physical walls,” and the response from the community has solidified its importance.
The Central Avenue Black History Walking Tour meets at Tampa Park Plaza, 1405 N. Nebraska Ave. The tours are limited to 20 people and advance tickets are required. Face coverings, social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols are strongly encouraged. You can buy tickets online at tampabayhistorycenter.org and can call the museum at 813.228.0097 with any questions.
