TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa residents received an update on ongoing efforts to restore the historic Jackson Boarding House during an event hosted by the Tampa Bay History Center Wednesday evening.
- Built in 1901, served as boarding house during Jim Crow-era
- Vinik Family Foundation now involved in preservation, restoration efforts
- More Black History Month stories
The Jackson House is Tampa's only remaining Jim Crow-era boarding house, used to house African Americans during the segregation era. It’s long been in need of repair and restoration.
“I think restorations like this are incredibly important,” said historian Brad Massey, who works for the History Center. “Unfortunately, we’ve lost a lot of our historical architecture, especially when it comes to the African American community.”
The 24-room house on Zack Street was built in 1901 by Moses and Sarah Jackson. It hosted numerous famous guests throughout its history, including Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“This is one of the last houses of its type for Tampa, and it represents the African American community,” said Penda King with the Jackson House Foundation.
As the Jackson House Foundation raises money for restoration, the History Center will be involved as well to help tell the story of the home.
“It’s important in that it’s a vessel we can use to tell this very long story of African American history and experiences in Tampa,” Massey said.
Plans for restoration are still in the works. However, there are a lot of interested parties that are now involved in the project. The owners of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Jeff and Penny Vinik, recently donated $1 million to restoration efforts.