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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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If you are in Ybor City this weekend as part of your Gasparilla festivities, stop by the Ybor City Museum State Park (now open until 5 pm) and the Tampa Baseball Museum at the Al Lopez House. Learn more about other historic events and cultural traditions that began even before the first invasion of Tampa in 1904 by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. This weekend's parade is followed on February 12 by the Knight Parade, presented by Ybor City's first Krewe, the Knights of Sant' Yago, which is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of Tampa’s rich Latin heritage and culture. Also save the date for the return of the Buildings Alive! Ybor City Architecture Hop, our biggest in the 10 years the Ybor City Museum Society has presented this event. Enjoy!
Chantal Ruilova Hevia, President and CEO
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AARH! A 118-Year Tampa Tradition |
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1900 sketch of José Gaspar (left) & 1922 photo of Gasparilla (right) |
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The annual invasion is upon us! On January 29th, peaceful and idyllic Tampa Bay will be taken over once again by swashbuckling pirates known around these waters as Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. Tampa has a long fascination with pirates. In the early 1900s, Miss Louise Francis Dodge, the society editor of the Tampa Tribune, and George W. Hardee, who worked in Tampa for the U.S. Customs Service, conspired to promote Tampa’s May Day Celebration. Since the waters off the coast of Florida were known to be frequented by pirates, the group chose a surprise invasion of Tampa.
On May 4, 1904, the first Mystic Krewe “captured” the city of Tampa on horseback, a far cry from the legions of boats that fill the waters of Tampa Bay today. The invasion was carried out by the sworn crew of the legendary José Gaspar. Although there is no historical evidence of the true existence of the Spanish aristocrat turned pirate, he is said to have terrorized the waters of the Gulf of Mexico during the late 1800s and early 1900s until defeated by a US Navy ship in disguise. Gaspar, or Gasparilla, as he became known, became an iconic symbol of Tampa and the invasion has continued to be carried out by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. AARH!
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10 Years! 10 Stops! March 10! |
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Save the date for the 10th Anniversary Buildings Alive! Ybor City Architecture Hop on March 10, 5-10 PM. This year's hop returns bigger than ever with four additional stops. "Hoppers" can look forward to behind-the-scene tours of 10 historic buildings and an array of food and beverages along the way. They will be transported to an evening of discovery and enjoyable experiences by Jolley Trolleys throughout the evening. All-inclusive event tickets go on sale February 1 and can be purchased on our website and Facebook page. See you at the hop!
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Centro Asturiano
Each week leading to Buildings Alive!, we will provide you with a sneak peek of each of the historic buildings featured in this year's hop. We begin with Centro Asturiano, a mutual aid society created in 1902 by 546 immigrants from the Asturias region of Spain. Many of the immigrants arrived in Tampa via Cuba, where the original name of the club, Delegación del Centro Asturiano de la Habana en Tampa, was derived. In 1968, the club changed its name to Centro Asturiano de Tampa.
Before their first building was opened on January 22, 1909 at the corner of Palm and Nebraska, members met in a two-room wood building on 7th Avenue. The beautiful red brick building was destroyed by fire in 1912. In true Asturian fashion, an even grander building was rebuilt and opened on May 14, 1914. This iconic building still stands today and hosts many events throughout the year.
Photo of Centro Asturiano de Tampa 1922
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Vegetarian Caldo Gallego
Centro Asturiano was also home to Spanish immigrants from other provinces in northwestern Spain, including nearby Galicia, which is similar in climate, culture, and history. Just in time for our local cold weather, we share a vegetarian take on a delicious stew, which is normally cooked with several different meats to help fortify residents who live in this rugged area of Spain. This recipe can easily be adapted for meat lovers.
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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 great 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
Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day
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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Please Join Us
Member benefits make it easy for you to strengthen your connection to Tampa's roots and experience the unique cultural heritage of Ybor City, Tampa's National Historic Landmark District. Membership includes free admissions to the Ybor City Museum State Park, discounts on event tickets, and more. Thank you to our current members, whether you have been part of our family for years or have just joined us. For your convenience, new or current members can join or renew your membership online.
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History teaches many lessons and gives us a lens to the future. Your support helps us provide exhibits and educational programming for children and adults that share Ybor City's unique cultural heritage. Thank you to those who have supported the Ybor City Museum Society, which has been serving our community for nearly 40 years. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization YCMS can accept cash donations as well as IRA distributions and gifts of stock. |
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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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