The St. Petersburg Museum of History houses a vast collection of maps that reveal the city’s unique development over time.
Jessy Breckenridge, the Manager of the St. Petersburg Museum of History Archives and Collections, emphasizes the transformative journey of St. Petersburg depicted through maps. She notes, “Some of the maps in the collection represent a St. Petersburg that is entirely different from the one that we know today.” The collection, which includes maps from the 1890s and early 1900s, highlights significant milestones such as Beach Drive’s former waterfront location and the first mapping of Central Avenue.
The museum’s Archives and Collections department offers a profound sense of historical connection. Breckenridge explains, “It can just make you feel a lot more connected to where you are, to look at how things grow and change and develop and see where you sit in that.” This connection is further exemplified by the giant three-piece map from the 1930s, housed in the museum’s downstairs area. Breckenridge recounts the collaborative effort to date the map, considering landmarks like Albert Whitted Airport and the Vinoy, alongside nearby land reclamation projects.
Visitors frequently explore the archives to research their property’s history, tracing back previous ownership or discovering former land uses. Breckenridge stresses the importance of respecting history, encouraging visitors to recognize the timeline connecting past, present, and future. Beyond maps, the collection features postcards, photographs, and various items documenting St. Petersburg’s rich history. Appointments are required for those wishing to delve into this historical trove.
In preserving the city’s past, the St. Petersburg Museum of History offers invaluable insights into its continuous evolution, fostering a deeper connection to its cultural roots.
Source: Fox13News
