FinalFundraisingPlan(2)
- 2. Tampa Bay History Center (TBHC)
Roosevelt and the Rough Ride: Tampa’s Role in the SpanishAmerican War
Museum History & Mission Statement
Tampa Bay History Center is a Smithsonian affiliated organization, one of only twelve
such organizations in Florida, that opened its doors in 2009. It boasts threestories of
exhibition space with a focus on the past 12,000 years of Florida history. TBHC greets 3
million tourists annually and is a recipient of a Silver LEED certification in 2012 from the
U.S. Green Building Council. The museum’s Witt Research Center operates
symbiotically with TampaHillsborough County Public Library System and the museum
restaurant samples Columbia Cafe, a nearby restaurant embracing rich Cuban flavors,
indicative of the area’s history.
The exhibits touch on many of the indigenous Florida peoples, European exploration
and imperialism, Tampa in the 20th21st century, and Icons of Tampa Bay . Icons is
unique because it focuses not on race, events or specific time periods but on sheerly
who or what makes Tampa Tampa. The list includes Babe Ruth, pirate Jose Gaspar,
Cigar City, flamenco dancers, etc. The third floor is reserved for temporary exhibits and
galleries, offering our visitors an everchanging variety of art and culture from around
the world.
- 3. Mission Statement: The Tampa Bay History Center serves as a dynamic and
entertaining learning resource that inspires a sense of place and pride for diverse
audiences of all ages through interactive educational programs and engaging
exhibitions.
Program Overview
The Tampa Bay History Center submits ambitious plans to construct a new permanent
exhibit focusing on Tampa Bay as a strategic port of launch for Theodore Roosevelt, a
prominent figure not included in the Icons of Tampa Bay, and his troops during the
SpanishAmerican War. It will replace the current exhibit Year Around Play. This new
exhibition will center around the all new attraction, The Rough Ride, and will display
regional and war paraphernalia from the period, informational graphics, and interactive
audio/visual mediums that discuss Henry B. Plantowner of the Plant System
railwaysand early Tampa tourism; the Buffalo Soldiers the African American cavalry;
the Rough Riders, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and General Leonard Woods; and the
context and repercussions of the SpanishAmerican War.
The Rough RideA Plant System passenger train, like that which was used to transport
the troops into Tampa, will be reconstructed. Each window will be outfitted with an
digital screen and vibrating seats to simulate traveling through turnofthecentury
Florida before pulling finally into Tampa Bay. In cooperation with Discovery Channel,
- 6. Jan 2017: Present proposal to Board Members.
Jan 2017: Do research on highincome donors and craft letter, email, and telephone
messages tailored to each.
Jan/Feb 2017: Pitch the Exhibition plans to Discovery Channel, Edmund Morris, and
Foundation and corporate donors (Microsoft application due by March)
Mar/May 2017: Receive responses from corporate donors and foundation contacts
May 2017 Email members with an overview of the project at hand
May/July 2017: Utilize social media, email, and the museum’s facility, phone app, and
website to reach out for potential donors
August 2017: Begin residency
January 2018: Send progress report emails and letters to all major donors and
members.
May 2018: Launch Party for all members and donors held at the Tampa Bay History
Center’s TECO Hall, catering by Columbia.
June 2018: Exhibition is opened to the public.
Proposed Foundation Donors
National Park Foundation
www.nationalparks.org
Theodore Roosevelt, the face of the our new exhibit, established our National Park
System. The NPS has already established a presence in Florida with 7 national parks,
- 10. facility is dedicated to sharing Central Florida history with over threemillion guests
annually through exciting exhibitions and stateoftheart educational content. As a
historical organization it is our duty and mission to provide a sense of place and pride
for diverse audiences of all ages through interactive educational programs and
engaging exhibitions.
One of the most important historical moments in Tampa Bay occurred at the dawn of
the SpanishAmerican War, involving black and white Americans, Latin Americans,
Europeans, and Asians as well. As an event whose wake was felt across the world, it is
important that tell the story of Tampa’s involvement as a strategic location during this
time. We are in the process of erecting a brand new exhibit featuring key figures,
moments, and ramifications of Tampa’s involvement in the SpanishAmerican War. This
exhibit will align with Florida and U.S. history standards, making it ideal for research and
field trip purposes.
As an active and distinguished member of the Tampa Bay community, we invite you to
take part in the creation of the exciting new exhibition and attraction, Roosevelt and the
Rough Ride: Tampa’s Role in the SpanishAmerican War. This exhibit details Tampa
Bay’s role as a training ground and launching port for American troops to Cuba and the
affects it had among a wide diversity of regions and cultures. To help this project take
shape, we are encouraging monetary gifts from valued individuals like you.
- 11. ● Donate $1,000 or more and you will be invited to our Launch Party in May 2017,
be among the first to experience the exhibit, receive complimentary membership
for a year, and have your name recognized on the Bronze plaque of major
contributors at the front of the exhibit hall.
● Donate $5,000 or more and you will receive all benefits mentioned,
complimentary membership for you and your family for a year, and your name on
the Silver plaque of major contributors.
● Donate $10,000 and higher and you will receive all benefits mentioned,
complimentary lifetime memberships for you and your family, your name on the
Golden plaque of major contributors and all museum brochures.
All gifts are taxdeductible. The enclosed donation form must be completed and
submitted by August 31st, 2017. We cherish your time and support.
Yours respectively,
C.J. Roberts, President & CEO
roberts@tampabayhistorycenter.org
References