Since 1933, the Tampa Bay Hotel has been home to the Henry B. Plant Museum and The
University of Tampa. The building, renamed Plant Hall, is a National Historic Landmark in
recognition of its role as a military headquarters during the Spanish-American War. The Henry
B. Plant Museum holds the distinction of accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums. Its
mission is to interpret the Tampa Bay Hotel and the experiences of the diverse individuals who
contributed to its success. The Museum ignites thought and transports visitors to another era
through exhibits and innovative programs. Original furnishings and artifacts and a dynamic self-
guided audio tour immerse visitors in the opulence of a Gilded Age seasonal resort hotel.



Opened by railroad and shipping magnate Henry B. Plant, the Tampa Bay Hotel faced an
uncertain future following his death in 1899. The City of Tampa purchased the property in 1905,
and it continued to operate as a hotel until 1932. The following year, the city established the
Tampa Municipal Museum in the south wing of the first floor to preserve the legacy of the Tampa
Bay Hotel. The remainder of the building, as well as the property, became home to The
University of Tampa. The Museum houses original Hotel furnishings and art objects from Europe
and Asia collected by Henry and Margaret Plant. In 1974, the Tampa Municipal Museum
became the Henry B. Plant Museum, commemorating Plant’s contribution to the development of
the Cigar City and the creation of Florida’s tourist economy.