Escapees July-August 2024

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The Great Depression curtailed tourism and brought an end to the hotel in 1930. It lay idle for three years before The Tampa Bay Junior College moved into it. The college grew, and it became The University of Tampa. The museum, founded in 1933, recreates the “modern” original lighting with reproduction Edison carbon fi lament bulbs. In 1891, that was considered to be “ablaze,” but by today’s standard, it is pretty dim. The hallways get somewhat better lighting because of the horseshoe arches over the doorways which allow light to shine in from the outside and through the room to the hallway. These archways are a signature theme throughout the hotel, inside and out. In 1898, the hotel was the headquarters for the Spanish-American War. Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders stayed there while planning the Cuban invasion and waiting for orders. This earned the hotel a National Historic Landmark status. Whenwe fi nished seeing the museum, we walked down the veranda to the entrance and lobby of Plant Hall. We saw the 1891 Otis elevator with the beautiful wood inside. It is thought to be the oldest passenger elevator in Florida and is still used today. Originally, pressurized water stored in large wooden roof tanks forced a rope-geared piston in the shaft which moved the elevator up and down. In 1925 this system was replaced by electric power.

The former hotel dining room had been converted into a library, but it has been restored to its original beauty. What is so amazing is that the students get to enjoy this former hotel in all its glory. The lobby of Plant Hall and Plant Park across the street are places where students “hang out” and study along the Hillsborough River. Students had hammocks up in the park. Some were studying and others were sunbathing. With the Tampa skyline across the river, the entire area is stun ning! Be sure to allow time to spend in the park. The museum is located at 401 West Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL (27.946212 -82.464183) but there is very little parking in front of the museum. Parking is avail able in the Thomas Garage at 820 W. North A Street. Enter from the North Boulevard and A Street intersec tion (27.945537 -82.468479). You will be in a “tunnel” between the Campus Safety Of fi ce and the garage. We were too tall for a parking garage so we parked at the Walmart (27.945629 -82.47521), and .8-mile walk back to the museum. That area of Tampa can be quite congested, so it’s not a place to go with a big rig. They are closed Monday; open Tuesday—Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday noon to 5:00 p.m. and closed some holidays. Check the website at www. plantmuseum.com to con fi rmhours. Joyce Space #61818

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July/August 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine