Henry Plant Museum

Name: Henry Plant Museum
Address: 401 W Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL, 33606, US
Telephone: +18132541891
Price range: $
Rating: 4.7

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Henry Plant Museum

Peek behind the scenes at the Henry Plant Museum. Travel back in time via historic trivia & etiquette A visit to the Henry B.
(745)

When you’re building a railroad to nowhere, how do you make the journey worthwhile? …. If you’re railroad magnate Henry Bradley Plant, in the midst of the sand swamps that would be Tampa, you construct the most astonishingly magnificent hotel of its day, then fill it with treasures from around the world. With its splendid Moorish architecture, opulent furnishings, and spectacular tropical gardens,

Plant’s Tampa Bay Hotel attracted a host of celebrated guests, from Teddy Roosevelt to Sarah Bernhardt to Babe Ruth. Plant Museum and the authentically restored rooms of the Tampa Bay Hotel will transport you back to a time of indulgent 10-course meals, waltzing on the verandah and alligator hunting by moonlight…The journey is still worthwhile.

08/27/2026

Enjoy free museum admission and a special conservation and restoration demonstration with Terry and Bill Clements of Clements Restorations. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to explore our historic exhibits and witness firsthand the techniques used to preserve priceless artifacts.

Don't miss out on an unforgettable museum experience!

For more information, please contact Curator of Education Selena Martinez at [email protected].

🗓️ Friday, September 4, 2026
⏰ Free Admission: 4:30–7:00 PM and Demonstration at 5:00 PM
📍 Henry B. Plant Museum

08/21/2026

The Museum will be closed Saturday, August 22, for campus-wide maintenance.

We will resume normal business hours on Sunday, August 23. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

For more information visit https://www.plantmuseum.com

08/19/2026

Museum Director Dr. Charles McGraw Groh shares an authentic historical captain's log kept by James T. Decker, commander of the S.S. Mascot, spanning the years 1892 to 1894. This crucial document chronicles his routine maritime voyages connecting Tampa, Key West, and Cuba when the cigar manufacturing industry first established its deep roots in the Tampa Bay region.

It wasn't just smooth sailing, though. This log exposes the intense realities of 19th-century maritime travel.

To plan your visit or learn more about our Age of Rail and Steam exhibit https://www.plantmuseum.com/exhibits/current-exhibits/plant’s-southern-empire

08/17/2026

🏨 Please join us for free admission and specialty presentation!

It's Celebrate Sunset, where history of the expansive Plant System comes to life through stories, photographs, and objects. The highlight of the evening features a lecture beginning at 5 PM that explores the fascinating legacy of Henry Plant's seven other grand hotels — the Inn at Port Tampa, Kissimmee Hotel, the Seminole, Punta Gorda Hotel, Hotel Belleview, Ocala House, and Fort Myers Hotel.

Discover the elegance, ambition, and enduring spirit of Florida's Gilded Age hotels and resorts!

For more information, please contact Curator of Education Selena Martinez at [email protected].

🗓️ Friday, August 21
⏰ 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Henry B. Plant Museum

08/14/2026

Join us as we journey back to the Gildied Age to find out how Florida's luxury resorts including the Tampa Bay Hotel transformed Tampa into a premier health retreat.

Don't miss this exclusive presentation and book signing event featuring acclaimed author Rick Kilby as he discusses his captivating book, Florida's Healing Waters: Gilded Age Mineral Springs, Seaside Resorts, and Health Spas.

The book examines how Florida’s natural wonders were promoted and developed as restorative destinations for America’s emerging upper class. The rapid growth in tourism infrastructure that began during the Gilded Age lasted well into the twentieth century. Kilby explains how these resorts helped boost the economy of modern Florida. Resorts in the book include Safety Harbor, Hotel Alcazar and the Tampa Bay Hotel!

📚 Book Signing and Presentation

🗓️ Saturday, August 15
⏰ 3:00 - 4:30 PM
📍Henry B. Plant Museum
🍪 Light refreshments will be served

For more information, please contact Selena Martinez, Curator of Education, at [email protected].

Explore how Tampa’s story begins here:
https://www.plantmuseum.com

08/13/2026

The historic Tampa Bay Hotel shares a deep, historic bond with bay area military and service members . This 813 day, we are honored to recognize the armed forces groups that continue to serve as the cornerstone of this great city.

On this day in 1929, an announcement was made in the Tampa Morning Tribune requesting all war veterans and dependents of deceased veterans, who have not applied for or obtained adjusted compensation certificates, or "soldiers bonus," must do so before Dec. 31, or forever lose their rights. Certificate applications were made available at the Legion post club rooms in the Tampa Bay Hotel Casino.

In August 1929, the Tampa Sunday Tribune announced a meeting for the General Joe Wheeler Camp No. 2 and Auxiliary No. 9 (U.S.W.V.). Held at the Tampa Bay Hotel Casino, the gathering brought together members of the United Spanish War Veterans— an organization for veterans of the 1898 Spanish-American War and its national women's support groups.

In May 1898, General Wheeler arrived in Tampa to take command of the cavalry forces. At the time, Tampa was chosen as the primary port of embarkation for the U.S. invasion of Cuba with the Tampa Bay Hotel serving as the military headquarters.

Explore how Tampa’s story begins here:
https://www.plantmuseum.com

Photos courtesy of Hillsborough County Public Library Burgert Brothers collection:
Sons of the American Legion organizational meeting held in Tampa Bay Casino: Tampa, Fla. May 20, 1935

08/11/2026

A little history on the big screen. 🎬

The Henry B. Plant Museum was proud to partner with Tampa Theatre for a special screening of The Black Pirate - the second film ever shown in the historic theatre when it opened in 1926.

Nearly 100 years later, guests experienced the silent film once again inside The University of Tampa Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values, accompanied by live organ music performed by Dr. Steven Ball, Tampa Theatre’s Artist in Residence.

08/08/2026

☀️🌴🌊 Did you know that long before there were theme parks and beaches, tourists flocked to Florida for its therapeutic and restorative waters?

Join us as we journey back to the Gildied Age to find out how Florida's luxury resorts including the Tampa Bay Hotel transformed Tampa into a premier health retreat.

Don't miss this exclusive presentation and book signing event featuring acclaimed author Rick Kilby as he discusses his captivating book, Florida's Healing Waters: Gilded Age Mineral Springs, Seaside Resorts, and Health Spas.

The book examines how Florida’s natural wonders were promoted and developed as restorative destinations for America’s emerging upper class. The rapid growth in tourism infrastructure that began during the Gilded Age lasted well into the twentieth century. Kilby explains how these resorts helped boost the economy of modern Florida. Resorts in the book include Safety Harbor, Hotel Alcazar and the Tampa Bay Hotel!

📚 Book Signing and Presentation

🗓️ Saturday, August 15
⏰ 3:00 - 4:30 PM
📍Henry B. Plant Museum

For more information, please contact Selena Martinez, Curator of Education, at [email protected].

Explore how Tampa’s story begins here:
https://www.plantmuseum.com

08/04/2026

🏫 For more than a century, the beauty and architectural grandeur of the historic Tampa Bay Hotel have provided a magnificent backdrop for students throughout the bay area, and continue to serve as the cornerstone of scholastic community life at The University of Tampa.

📷 Pictured here is Jean Evelyn Burgert in a class photo in front of the Tampa Bay Hotel, late 1910s - mid 1920s.

Born in 1912, Jean was the daughter of Alfred "Al" Paul Burgert, one of the co-founders of the famous Burgert Brothers commercial photography studio in Tampa. Her family's studio was the leading commercial photographic firm in the Tampa Bay area from the early 1900s through the early 1960s.

They documented nearly all aspects of local life, with Jean Evelyn and her sister, Adeline, frequently appearing in many of the iconic historical photos.

🎒✏️This year to honor Tampa Bay area teachers and support students in need, we are offering FREE admission to the Henry B. Plant Museum for teachers (with school ID) and up to 4 family members on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 10 AM - 5 PM.

Educators are invited to participate in a specialty tour led by Curator of Education Selena Martinez at 11 AM or 3 PM. This program models standard student field trips and highlights available teacher resources. Afterward, teachers are free to explore the Henry B. Plant Museum at their leisure.

All school supplies collected during supply drive week will be distributed directly to teachers during the Teacher Appreciation event.

For more information, contact Selena Martinez, Curator of Education, at [email protected].

Explore how Tampa’s story begins here:
https://www.plantmuseum.com

Photo courtesy of Hillsborough County Public Library

Address

401 W Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa, FL
33606

Telephone

+18132541891

Website

http://plantmuseum.com/

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