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Mission
Preserving, promoting, and celebrating
the unique cultural heritage of Ybor City and supporting the Ybor City Museum State Park
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Last week, we began a series of brief introductions to the 10 buildings that will be on tour for this year's Buildings Alive! We are pleased to feature the J.C. Newman Cigar Company and Museum today. If you plan to attend, please note that discounted tickets just became available and can be purchased through February 21. We could not resist including Punxsutawney Phil in our newsletter. Enjoy the story below by Arminda Mata, who recently joined us as a curatorial consultant.
Chantal Ruilova Hevia, President and CEO
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10 Years! 10 Stops! March 10! |
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It's back! Join us for the 10th Anniversary Buildings Alive! Ybor City Architecture Hop on March 10, 5:00-10:00 PM. This year's hop returns bigger than ever with four additional stops. "Hoppers" will enjoy a Send-Off Party in the Museum Garden, "behind-the-scene" tours of 10 historic buildings, and an array of light bites and beverages along the way. They will be transported to an evening of discovery and Ybor-style hospitality by Jolley Trolleys. "Early Bird" discounted tickets are now on sale. Buy now before the $10 price increase on February 21. See you at the hop!
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Join or renew your Ybor City Museum Society membership during the month of February and we will enter you into a drawing for two free tickets to Buildings Alive! The higher your level of membership, the more entries you will receive.
Membership donations support exhibits and educational programming.
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J.C. Newman Cigar Company - El Reloj |
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This week’s sneak peek into Buildings Alive! J. C. Newman Cigar Company, a family-run business that runs the only remaining operating cigar factory in Ybor City. The company boasts well over 65 years in its current location.
Built in 1910, the factory was originally owned by Edward Regensburg, a cigar manufacturer of German origins. It was nicknamed El Reloj or “the clock” due to the large clock tower in front of the building. Legend has it that locals considered it the “wishing clock”. When anyone had a problem, they would often stand in front of El Reloj at 9:15 in the morning, stretching out their arms to replicate the nine and the three on hands of the clock with the hopes that their wish would be fulfilled. Thanks to the efforts of the Newman family, El Reloj continues to chime today.
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The J.C. Newman Company was founded by Julius Ceaser Newman in Cleveland, Ohio in 1895. Newman immigrated with his family from Hungary in 1888 and after apprenticing with cigar makers in Ohio, he quickly learned the cigar business. In 1954 he purchased the Regensburg Factory and moved his company to Tampa, where, to this day, his descendants continue the family business.
The J.C. Newman Cigar Factory is Stop # 7 on the Buildings Alive! Tour.
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Groundhog Day - Six More Weeks of Winter! |
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On February 2, 2022, Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter. Most Americans are familiar with Groundhog Day, however many are unaware of the pre-Christian roots of this tradition.
Prior to Christianity, the Celts celebrated Imbolc as the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Later, under Christianity this day became Candlemas Day. It is Candlemas Day which set the parameters for Ground Hog Day. If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter, otherwise a cloudy day brings an early spring.
Germany Americans, who celebrated Candlemas, were accustomed to using rodents, usually a badger, to predict weather patterns. Thus, the tradition began on February 2, 1886 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and continues today.
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If Candlemas Day be fair and bright,
Winter will have another flight;
But if it be dark with clouds and rain,
Winter is gone, and will not come again. (hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com)
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Hungarian Goulash
This week’s recipe is Hungarian Goulash (Gulyás), in honor J.C. Newman. The hardworking Hungarian American helped sustain the cigar industry in Ybor City. Goulash was said to have originated with herdsmen who spent most of their time out on the plains with their herds. Their simple stew was originally consisted of millet, bacon, onions, lard, salt, occasionally pepper, and if one of the cows was slaughtered, beef. The stew has changed through the years with peppers and other varieties of vegetables being added. However, the stew itself still carries the name Gulyás or Herdsmen.
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The Ybor City Museum State Park |
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A visit to the Ybor City Museum State Park is a terrific way to share Tampa's cultural heritage with friends, family, and out-of-town guests.
You can also inquire about renting the Garden, a beautiful 10,000 sq. ft. outdoor space, by clicking here. This unique venue creates its own ambience for your wedding, corporate meeting, or other special event.
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New Hours of Operation: 9 am - 5 pm Wednesday - Sunday
The "Casita" is currently closed for maintenance.
Admission: $4 per person, free for children 5 years and younger
1818 E. 9th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605, 813.247.6323
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The Ybor City Museum Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Federal Tax ID No.
59-2274494. While we do not give tax advice, donations are tax deductible to the extent the law allows.
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