The Cuban Pathways exhibition opens at the Tampa Bay History Center on Friday, February 11, 2022, telling the 500-year story of Cuba and its ties to Tampa.
The exhibit features a Chug Boat digitally scanned and preserved by USF Libraries Digital Heritage & Humanities Collections (DHHC) team, that was recovered from a crossing of the Florida Straits in 2021. Made from spray foam, concrete, a blue tarp and other materials, this chug boat carried 12 people from Cuba to the shore of Key West. Also included inside were small things left behind or forgotten that help to tell the story of the people willing to risk such a crossing to freedom.
We invite you to explore Cuban Pathways, and the chug, at the Tampa Bay History Center. The exhibition is set for a year-long showing, and after will travel the southeastern U.S. Plan your visit today.