Plan a trip to Tarpon Springs, FL (part 1)
Posted on Sun, May 15, 2011
For anybody that lives in or near The Hungry Greeks home office area of Tampa, FL knows that there is a large Greek community located just a few miles away in the great town of Tarpon Springs, FL. If your family has never made a trip out there, we have to say that your missing a great time! From their historic sponge docks to great local greek restaurants you really get a feel for the greek culture that we love so much.
History
Tarpon Springs is a historic small city of 24,000 with an unusual mix of Greek culture, and Victorian and Floridian architecture. Incorporated in 1887, it is the oldest city in Pinellas County, Florida. Located on the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast of Florida, Tarpon Springs is north and west of the Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area. The city is full of parks, bayous and brick streets, and boasts two distinct downtowns. The NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES lists downtown, which is a mix of antique shops, boutiques, galleries, and museums. The internationally known Sponge Docks is the heart of the City’s Greek Town, settled by Greek fishermen and their families in the early twentieth century. One of Florida’s few working waterfronts, at the Sponge Docks you can see sponge fishermen unloading and processing their harvest, as well as locally built Greek sponge boats listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Called the Venice of the South, Tarpon Springs has been an arts destination since the early 1900s, when GEORGE INNESS, the father of American landscape painting, made his home here; other artists, performers and arts enthusiasts soon followed. (See the Inness Paintings at the UNITARIAN CHURCH.) Tarpon Springs is perhaps most famous for its 100-year-old annual Epiphany celebration, involving Greek Orthodox young men diving for a cross that’s thrown into Spring Bayou. Today the population is rapidly expanding; more and more businesses, families and retirees are discovering the magic of Tarpon Springs. You can see a more comprehensive history of Tarpon Springs here.
Heritage Museum
There are plenty of things to do while your there one of which we would highly reccomend: The Heritage Museum of Tarpon Springs which is situated in Craig Park on Spring Bayou. This beautifully renovated facility, formerly a library, has two separate wings. The History Wing traces the development of Tarpon Springs from prehistoric times to the Second World War. It features a vintage photography exhibit of the city, a native American presentation and a sponge diving film and display. The film is shown on demand and is 16 minutes in length.
A permanent interactive exhibit, “The Greek Community of Tarpon Springs” explores the history and culture of the Greek community, including domestic traditions, foodways, religion, and celebrations. It also includes a special focus on the sponge industry and other maritime traditions, as well as music and dance. A Greek Arts Kiosk features examples of music, video and photos of local and Greek traditions and festivals. Tour groups will enjoy exploring the exhibit and talks by local experts can be arranged in advance.
Another great stop is the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center, built in 1915 hosts a variety of cultural activities, including art and sculpture exhibits, live performances and films on a year-round basis (see our events section for details). The Gift Shop has a wide variety of local arts and crafts, books, ceramics, jewelry and toys.
Also see our other update that includes additional things to do in Tarpon Springs by clicking here.
If you go, let us know about your trip and upload photos to our online greek community.
OPA!
The Hungry Greek team