The Hillsborough library system has a class to help you find the history of your old house

Home is where the history is, and a lifelong Tampa librarian wants to help you find yours.

Curiosity, history and home will converge at The John F. Germany Public Library as historic home owners come together to uncover the mysteries of their properties. 

Led by long-time librarian and fifth generation Tampa Bay resident Pam Tucker, this free program will teach local residents how to utilize the library’s archives and historic documents–including plat maps, the Burgert Brothers Photographic collection and historical newspapers—to research the past lives of their homes (or the homes of others, like the William A. Morrison, built in 1885 and pictured above).

In collaboration with the minds behind the Tampa Bay Community Design Center (TCDC), this informational morning is designed to encourage architecture and design fluency for all backgrounds of knowledge. 

And you don’t have to be a homeowner to take part. 

Organizers see this event as a gateway into the world of Tampa Bay design as the TCDC gears up to host more events this spring, including the First Annual Century Club Birthday Party and Awards, as well as multiple architectural boat tours and walking tours.

There’s no cover, and registration is requested, for Tampa Bay Community Design Center’s “Researching your home” session on Monday, March 16 at John F Germany Public Library in Tampa.

This article appears in Feb. 12 – 18, 2026.