HISTORICALLY ST. PETE Rui Farias Previews SPMOH Tourism Exhibit Opening 1/29

In this episode of HISTORICALLY ST. PETE, Rui Farias, executive director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History previews a new exhibit opening January 29th: WISH YOU WERE HERE: The Art of Selling Sunshine.
🦩Says Farias: "Let's talk about  what really made St. Pete famous, tourism. For more than a century, tourism has shaped our identity. From the earliest health seekers who came for sunshine and salt air, to families who filled roadside motels, to retirees who played shuffleboard by the hundreds;  visitors have left their mark on every corner of this city. Tourism brought investment, growth, and sometimes tension, influencing politics, architecture, and the natural environment.  In the new exhibit - showcased in our 4, 000 square foot gallery - we tell the story of marketing St. Pete to visitors and the visitor experience."
🦩The exhibit draws on postcards, photographs, and artefacts to show how Saint Pete sold itself to the world and how travellers responded. From Tent City to Web City, from alligator wrestling to orange crate art, the stories here remind us of how important visitors have always been to the life of the Sunshine City. And when you visit the gallery, imagine arriving here for the first time, stepping into the Florida sun, and writing home with familiar words, "wish you were here."
🦩ABOUT Historically St Pete: Aired Monday on RadioStPete.com, this is a weekly conversation where we explore the truths, and myths of the people and events that created the Sunshine City.  Rui Farias is the Executive Director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History. Located on the St. Pete Pier, the Museum of History has been sharing the stories of the Sunshine City for 103 years, and now he shares them you.
Says Rui: "Back when I used to teach history at St. Pete High, I would try and instill the importance of knowing your community’s history. Whether it’s the founding fathers & mothers, or the birth and grow of your city, and yes, even the bad or uncomfortable history.  I truly believe that once you understand the history of St. Pete, how we started, what we’ve gone through, how we’re still trying to grow and improve, you can’t help but fall in love with this city. It’s even easier if you’re a native."
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