Tampa Bay Times donates Tampa Tribune artifacts

The Tampa Bay Times has donated more than 100 artifacts from The Tampa Tribune to the Tampa Bay History Center. The donation helps preserve the Tribune’s history.

The Times purchased the Tribune in May. One week later, the Times invited history center staff to collect artifacts that were integral to the Tribune’s history.

“We understand the Tribune’s importance in the history of Tampa,” said Paul Tash, the Times’ chairman and chief executive. “It is our honor to help preserve and share the Tribune’s own history.”

The donated items range from World War II political cartoons by Tribune artist George White to one of the last pages cast in hot lead from the Tampa Times, the afternoon newspaper.  The collection also includes seven iconic paintings that were commissioned for the Tribune’smove from its Morgan Street property to its new headquarters on Parker Street in 1975.

“Our goal was to try and find things that represented the newspaper and represented its place in our history,” said Rodney Kite-Powell, the Center’s curator of history. “Now, there’s a chance for them to remain well cared for, to be displayed and shared with the community.”

The Times also acquired the Tribune’s news and photography archives.