Galleria
MUSEUMS
Appleton Museum of Art,
4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala,
(352) 291-4455. Opened in 1987, the
College of Central Florida museum is
home to over 24,000 objects, plus an
outdoor sculpture walk and garden.
It hosts many temporary exhibits and
special events throughout the year.
Clearwater Historical Society Museum
& Cultural Center,
610 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater,
(727) 754-8019. This volunteer-manned
treasure trove of permanent and rotating
collections of artifacts and displays is
housed in the converted 1906 former
South Ward School.
The Collection on Palmetto,
2116 Palmetto St., Clearwater,
(727) 953-8356. Vintage automobiles and
steam and gas machines highlight the
amazing progress made in engineering
in factory and field power. Saunter
down the unpaved streets of yesteryear.
Dunedin History Museum,
349 Main St., Dunedin, (727) 736-1176.
Named Florida’s number one mediumsized
museum by the State, this treasure
trove of local artifacts, traveling exhibits
and train memorabilia is located in
Dunedin’s vintage railroad station. Their
historic Andrews Memorial Chapel in
Dunedin’s Hammock Park is available
for christenings, weddings, funerals
and other special events by calling
(727) 271-9673.
Florida CraftArt,
501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg,
(727) 821-7391. Fine craft art is presented
in a 2,500-square-foot retail gallery and
adjacent Exhibition Gallery that features
curated exhibitions and programming.
Artists’ studios and a meeting room for
lectures are on the second floor.
Florida Holocaust Museum,
55 Fifth St. S., St. Petersburg,
(727) 820-0100. A permanent collection
of photographs, testimonies and historical
artifacts, plus changing exhibits of art
and photography are on exhibit, all
relating to various aspects of the
Holocaust.
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts,
400 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa,
(813) 221-2222. The museum exhibits
photographic art as central to
contemporary life and culture. It collects
and exhibits historic and contemporary
works by many photographic artists.
132 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
Henry B. Plant Museum,
401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa,
(813) 254-1891. Experience the grandeur of a
winter railroad resort that opened in 1891 as
the Tampa Bay Hotel and is now a National
Historic Landmark. Stroll the grand hallway
and enjoy rooms filled with original Hotel
furnishings from Europe. Realize the
elegance of the Victorian lifestyle as a tourist
in turn-of-the-century Florida.
The James Museum of Western
and Wildlife Art,
150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg,
(727) 892-4200. Be transported through
the rich and diverse heritage of the
American West. The James Museum’s
more than 400 works of art evoke the
spirit of a wide-open frontier and the
beauty of life in the wild.
The Museum of the American Arts
and Crafts Movement,
355 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg,
(727) 943-9900. This new museum features
an extensive collection of furniture,
pottery, tile, metalwork, lighting,
photography and other decorative arts
from the American Arts and Crafts
movement of the late 19th
and early 20th centuries. Designed by
Tampa architect Alberto Alfonso, the
incredible five-story building combines
beautiful architectural elements with
period art, light fixtures, windows,
fireplaces and more.
Museum of Fine Arts (MFA),
255 Beach Dr. N.E., St. Petersburg,
(727) 896-2667. Featuring diverse traveling
exhibits in addition to its permanent
collection, this internationally recognized
museum is an architectural gem located on
St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront.
Tampa Bay Automobile Museum,
3301 Gateway Centre Blvd., Pinellas Park,
(727) 579-8226. A unique collection that
includes front-wheel drive and rear-engine
cars from the 1920s-1930s. Featured
automobiles include the replica of the 1770
Fardier de Cugnot, the first self-propelled
vehicle; Tracta; Citroen; Panhard and
Voisin (France); Tatra and Aero (Czech);
DKW and Mercedes (Germany); Willys
Knight and Ruxton (USA).
Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum,
100 Beekman Lane, Tarpon Springs,
(727) 937-0686. This museum, located
on Spring Bayou in Craig Park,
explains how the dynamic interaction
of environment and culture created this
historic city. The History Wing traces
the development of Tarpon Springs
from prehistoric people to World
War II. The Ecology Wing houses the
beautiful murals of Christopher Still.