Tocobaga Market by Hermann Trappman

Third Floor Gallery


Obscured By Time: The Magic of Florida, featuring the art of Hermann Trappman
July 10 - September 26, 2010

The History Center welcomes Obscured By Time: The Magic of Florida, an exhibition featuring the artwork of Hermann Trappman.

This exhibition details the natural history of Florida through Trappman's compelling paintings, artifact replicas and examples of the resources utilized.  A self-taught artist, Trappman's work offers a glimpse of early Florida, its people and geography prior to European contact in the 1500s.  

Born in Rochester, New York to German immigrant parents, Hermann Trappman moved to St. Petersburg, Florida when he was just eight years old.  It was during his youth that he started to develop a taste for discovery.  Exploring the once-pristine Tampa Bay area landscape led to a deep curiosity of his new home's past and the people who once thrived here.  

Working as an interpretative park ranger for 28 years, Trappman has devoted his adult life to the study of Florida's first natives.  His artwork is based on hands-on experience, constructing tools and weapons, researching scientific data and the meticulous study of known facts.  His goal is to build an understanding of America's past with a focus on Florida's original inhabitants and their unique and distinct culture.

This exhibition will remain in the Third Floor Gallery through September 26th and is included with regular admission to the History Center.

The Orange Blossom Special to Sun Rail: Train Travel in Tampa Bay
October - December 2010

This exhibition will focus on the history of trains and rail travel in Florida including the arrival in the 1860s of various rail lines, Henry Plant, Henry Flagler and the Overseas Railroad, tourism, Tampa's streetcar system and streetcar communities such as Seminole Heights as well as the streetcar's post-war demise and re-introduction in 2002.  The exhibition will also touch briefly on current rail usages, developments and initiatives including CSX, SunRail, TBARTA, the bullet train and Hillsborough County's initiative to develop light rail in Tampa.