One of Tarpon Springs’ best kept secrets is the 1883 Safford House Museum. Visiting the home of one of the city’s original developers is a journey back in time.The Safford House has been restored to its original Victorian splendor and is open to the public. Today the Safford residence is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned and operated by the City of Tarpon Springs as a museum. The house is a fine example of late 19th century Florida vernacular architecture and is filled with period furnishings and original family possessions that bring the Safford family to life. A visit offers the opportunity to get acquainted with the family and to experience Florida life more than 100 years ago. The late 1800s, when Anson P.K. Safford and his family resided in Tarpon Springs, was an era of gracious living without the pressures of modern society. Touring their house takes visitors back to that restful time and place. From the charming porch swing to the large inviting dining room, the house is filled with pleasant spaces where friends and family gathered for meals and social events. But the Saffords were not an ordinary family: Anson Safford was the former territorial governor of Arizona; his wife, Soledad, was an accomplished social leader of Mexican background; and Safford’s sister Mary Jane was the town’s first doctor. The Safford House is located in the historic district off Grand Boulevard at 23 Parkin Court. It was donated to the City of Tarpon Springs in 1994. The extensive restoration was funded by the State of Florida, Division of Historical Resources and the City of Tarpon Springs. Furnishings were provided in part by a Save America’s Treasures grant, and donations by local residents.
Tarpon Springs, FL
Region(s):
Central
County:
Pinellas
Type(s):
Historic Home
History
The Southeast Museum of Photography exhibits, collects, preserves, and interprets photography to facilitate teaching and learning at Daytona State College, and enhances the community's understanding and appreciation of culture, history, art and photography.
Daytona Beach, FL
Region(s):
Central
County:
Volusia
Type(s):
Art
For nearly a century, the St. Petersburg Museum of History has shared the stories of the Sunshine City with residents and visitors alike. The repository of the City's artifacts and archives, the St. Petersburg Museum of History prides itself on being a Florida history teaching facility.
St. Petersburg, FL
Region(s):
Central
County:
Pinellas
Type(s):
History
Our mission is to celebrate and preserve the social and natural history of Sulphur Springs and Spring Hill, its historically African American neighborhood; while offering educational resources that focus on the broader state of Florida.
Tampa, FL
Region(s):
Central
County:
Hillsborough
Type(s):
Art
History
Founded in 1920, the Tampa Museum of Art inspires the residents of the Tampa Bay region and others around the world by providing engaging exhibitions and innovative educational programs that emphasize ancient, modern and contemporary art. As the Tampa Museum of Art nears its 100th anniversary, its exhibitions in part will focus on the breadth of the institution’s growing permanent collection. The Museum houses one of the largest Greek and Roman antiquities collections in the southeastern United States. As one of the region’s largest museums devoted to the art of our time, the Museum’s collection also embraces sculpture, photography, painting, new media, and more. With a 14,000 square-foot LED installation of Leo Villareal’s Sky (Tampa) illuminating the south façade and the Museum’s 23-foot tall cast iron sculpture Laura with Bun by Jaume Plensa silhouetted in front of the north façade, the Tampa Museum of Art stands as an iconic landmark of downtown Tampa. Year-round creative classes offered both on-site and at various locations throughout Hillsborough County provide children, teens, and adults with opportunities to discover new skills and learn different art-making techniques. The Museum brings together local, national and international artists and scholars to inspire visitors to take part in exhibitions and art discourse through lectures, tours, and community partnerships. While shopping for unique exhibition-related objects at the Museum Store or enjoying handcrafted meals, coffee, and gelato at the Riverwalk Cafe at TMA, visitors can take in the views of Tampa’s scenic riverfront and see why the Museum also serves as one of Tampa’s premier venues for special private events. Located in the heart of downtown, next to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Tampa’s Riverwalk, the Tampa Museum of Art leads as both a cultural institution and a community museum dedicated to celebrating the diversity of its home city.
Tampa, FL
Region(s):
Central
County:
Hillsborough
Type(s):
Art
The Heritage Museum is located at the heart of Tarpon Springs, in shady Craig Park overlooking Spring Bayou. The serene waters of the Bayou attracted the town’s very first settlers, and many wealthy northerners of the late 19th century later built their winter homes on this “Golden Crescent." A permanent interactive exhibit, “The Greek Community of Tarpon Springs” explores the history and culture of the Greek community, including domestic traditions, foodways, religion, and celebrations. It also includes a special focus on the sponge industry and other maritime traditions, as well as music and dance. A Greek Arts Kiosk features examples of music, video and photos of local and Greek traditions and festivals. The exhibit was created in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Tour groups will enjoy exploring the exhibit and talks by local experts can be arranged in advance. The ecology wing features the large-scale murals of Tarpon Springs artist Christopher Still. The murals are fine giclee reproductions of the series that hangs in the chambers of Florida House of Representatives, and tell the story of the state’s vivid history. Each of the murals contains many symbolic elements that introduce the people and events that shaped Florida’s history from 16th century European discovery to modern times.
Tarpon Springs, FL
Region(s):
Central
County:
Pinellas
Type(s):
History
The Casements, named for the large hand-cut casement windows that adorn the mansion, hav been beautifully restored to function as the Cultural Center for the City of Ormond Beach, Florida. Set on the shore of the Halifax River, and just two blocks from the Atlantic Ocean, the late John D. Rockefeller's winter home is known as "The Jewel of Ormond Beach." The Casements has been officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated as a Florida Heritage Site.
Ormond Beach, FL
Region(s):
Central
County:
Volusia
Type(s):
Gardens
Historic Home
House
Park
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is home to the world's most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Winter Park, FL
Region(s):
Central
County:
Orange
Type(s):
Art
Other
The Dalí Museum celebrates the life and art of the influential and innovative artist, Salvador Dalí.
St Petersburg, FL
Region(s):
Central
County:
Pinellas
Type(s):
Art
The primary mission of the USF Contemporary Art Museum is to bring to the University and the Tampa Bay community vital, investigative and scholarly contemporary exhibitions, while simultaneously contributing to the dialogue within the international arts community by organizing exhibitions, producing relevant catalogues, scheduling critically significant traveling exhibitions and by underwriting experimental projects of artists emerging on the national and the international fronts.
Tampa, FL
Region(s):
Central
County:
Hillsborough
Type(s):
Art