Exploring the Historic Henry B. Plant Museum: An Historic Wonderland
Henry B. Plant Museum sits on the western shore of the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa, its Middle Eastern minarets pointing skyward. The five-story brick building now serves as a museum and administrative offices for the University of Tampa. However, it was once the most opulent hotel in Tampa.
The Plant Museum’s history and its thousands of artifacts draw history lovers from around the country. Antiques, newspapers, and other items from the turn of the 19th century transport visitors to the Victorian age and give them a glimpse into how the uber-wealthy lived and vacationed.
During the holidays, the Henry B Plant Museum transforms into a holiday wonderland. Christmas trees decorate every room, and Victorian decorations hang from walls, ceilings, and doors. It’s a magical time to visit and one of my favorite holiday activities in Tampa.
In this blog post, I’ll share my experiences at the “Victorian stroll” as well as a little history about the museum and the many lives it’s lived. I hope you enjoy and find the information and photos useful. Please feel free to share this post with others who might also enjoy it.
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History of the Henry B. Plant Museum
Henry B. Plant was a railroad magnate and businessman who developed the railroad on Florida’s Gulf coast, much like Henry Flagler did on Florida’s East coast. Plant believed that those who traveled to Florida in the winter deserved luxurious places to stay. In all, he built or acquired eight hotels, including the Belleview Hotel (part of which survives as the Belleview Inn in nearby Belleair) and the Tampa Bay Hotel which became the Henry B. Plant Museum.
Plant envisioned his Tampa Bay Hotel as one of the most opulent in the country and spared no expense in its construction. The building covers six acres, is ¼ mile long, and originally sat on 150 acres. Opened in 1891, it was the first hotel in Florida to have elevators, electric lights, and a telephone in every room. The building was promoted as “fireproof”; it was constructed of poured concrete with rails and cables between the floors.
The Tampa Bay Hotel was more resort than hotel. The building offered a billiard room, barbershop, shoeshine service, beauty shop, flower shop, telegraph office, formal dining room, Grand Salon, and a Music Room with an orchestra. On the grounds, guests had their pick of activities – an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, gardens, stables, a racetrack, hunting and fishing grounds, boathouse, conservatory, auditorium, indoor swimming pool, bowling alley, and more.
The Tampa Bay Hotel closed its doors in 1930. Shortly after, Tampa Bay Junior College used part of it for classrooms and offices. By the 1940s, locals already realized the importance of preserving the hotel, its furnishings, and its history. The Tampa Municipal Museum was established to preserve and work alongside the newly founded University of Tampa.
Exploring the Exhibits at the Plant Museum
The Henry B. Plant Museum is home to a permanent collection of historic furnishings and art. It also houses temporary historic displays, such as:
- Imperfect Harmony – discover the lost world of self-playing musical instruments
- Captain’s Log: Voyages in the Age of Steam
- Stop the Presses! Fake News and the War of 1898
- “When the Train Comes Along”: Booker T. Washington at the Tampa Bay Casino
- Imperial Designs: From the Habsburg’s Herend to the Romanov’s Fabergé
Permanent Exhibits at the Plant Museum
The museum’s permanent collection includes a huge range of items from the Tampa Bay Hotel’s heyday. Each room contains a theme and furnishings, photos, and art which complement them. For instance, my favorite is the Parlor Suite with its carved double bed. The furniture is exquisite, and the bed sits under one of the iconic minarets in a corner of the building so it gets a great cross breeze, a luxury in the days before air conditioning.
Another favorite room for me is one near the Parlor Suite which holds a hodge podge of exotic souvenirs personally purchased by the Plants in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This room holds several fanciful garden decorations, such as pots and two stools depicting a frog and a chimp wearing hats.
Other rooms include the Writing and Reading Room, the Dining and Entertainment Room, the Sports and Amusements Room, and a room dedicated to the Plant System showing the Plant Empire’s size and holdings.
Christmas at the Plant Museum
Christmas at the Henry B. Plant Museum is a special time. Full transparency, that’s when I always visit the museum because I love how festive it becomes. Nearly every room displays a Christmas tree (or two). Many of the trees have vintage ornaments. The rooms are decorated with paper chains, poinsettias, nutcrackers, and all the glitter and glow that accompanies Christmas.
Placards in the rooms highlight the uniqueness of various decorations and trees. For instance, in the Writing and Reading Room, one of the trees is decorated as it would have been decorated by hotel staff in the 1890s – with letters and notes sent by previous guests.
The Victorian Christmas Stroll, as the Christmas event is named, is in its 42nd year and is always a delight. Besides the amazing trees and decorations, staff serve warm cider on the verandah. The gift shop is also a great place to find a stocking stuffer or holiday gift for the history lover in your life.
Why Visit the Henry B. Plant Museum
Though I love visiting the Henry B. Plant Museum for the Victorian Stroll, others visit for many reasons.
- architecture – iconic minarets and Moorish Revival
- history – learn the stories that shaped Tampa in the 1890s and beyond
- antique, vintage, and replica furnishing, art, photos, and newspaper clippings
- Plant Park – the grounds between the museum and the river
- special events – Victorian Stroll, An Eerie Evening at the Tampa Bay Hotel, Picnic in the Park, and Victorian Valentine Making
Planning Your Visit
Plant Museum is a great addition to any Tampa itinerary. It’s within walking distance of much of downtown Tampa though it offers a large, free parking lot as well if you’re driving. Here are the basics for planning your visit:
- Address: 401 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday (10-5), Sunday (12-5), closed Mondays
- The museum closes on some holidays and special event days – Thanksgiving, Christmas, Gasparilla, and Parade of Pirates
- Cost: Regular admission = $12/adult; Victorian Stroll = $18/adult; free the 2nd Saturday of each month. Get tickets here.
When you visit, add these nearby attractions to your itinerary for the day:
- Oxford Exchange – bookstore and cafe
- Tampa Riverwalk
- Glazer Children’s Museum
- Tampa Bay History Center
- American Victory Ship
- The Florida Aquarium
Wrapping It Up: Henry B. Plant Museum
Whether you’re a history buff (like me) or love a unique holiday experience (also like me), the Henry Plant Museum is well worth a visit. If you can make it in December for Victorian Stroll, do so. Yet, the history and architecture of the museum deserve a visit at any time of year. Put this one on your Tampa itinerary!
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