| "Weedon Island Preserve - Connecting People and Place"
The interactive exhibits contained within "Weedon Island Preserve:
Connecting People and Place" highlight many aspects of the history,
ecology, and archaeology of Weedon Island Preserve. We invite
you to explore these exhibits, which allow you the opportunity
to travel underwater, through mangrove swamps, and even back
in time. Hidden worlds will be revealed on your journey,
so pay close attention to the sights and sounds that surround
you. Our gallery is free and open to the public during the Center's
normal business hours. Six different galleries await your discovery.
Use our exhibit guide during your exploration. |
Explore
"Weedon Island Preserve: Connecting People and Place"
Take the plunge into the exhibit hall as you are treated to
a fish-eye view of Tampa Bay. Learn how many microscopic organisms
are in the water of Tampa Bay! Discover some of the animals
that share the resources of Weedon Island Preserve. This gallery
sets the stage to unlock a few of the secrets of life underwater
and in the soil.
The Early People of Weedon Island: Uncovering
Past Cultures
You are the continuation of over 7,000 years of human history
at Weedon Island Preserve. Prehistoric people got everything
they needed for survival from the land around them. Without
grocery stores, pharmacies, and hardware stores, the environment
provided all necessary resources. Learn the role trees played
in transportation, and what types of materials past cultures
used for tools. Visitors also gain an appreciation of the culture and
lifestyle of the Weeden (alternate spelling)
Island people through a display of actual artifacts
from the Yat
Kitischee site investigation. This site
is an excellent example of a small hamlet on
Old Tampa Bay during the Manasota culture period.
Understanding a Culture Through Its Pottery
Archaeologists piece together clues
to tell the story of how prehistoric populations
lived on the Preserve thousands of years ago.
Scientists are able to use fragments of shell,
pottery, stone, and bones to interpret important
information about the lifeways of ancient populations.
Stop by the "archaeological dig" to try your
hand at reconstructing pottery. The Virtual
Tour, a touch-screen video presentation, connects
ancient and contemporary populations of Native
Americans through archaeology.
Relive the Recent Past: Memories, Mischief,
and Movies
Movies, mystery, and mayhem await you in the recent history
section of the exhibit gallery. Since the late 1800s, Weedon
Island has been host to film studios, airports, speakeasies,
and other fascinating ventures. Did you know early land developers
tried to trick scientists into studying the archaeology of
the Preserve? This section has a video screen with clips of
one of the movie filmed on location.
Weedon Island Preserve: Discover Its Hidden
Worlds
Weedon Island Preserve is an
important natural area in a highly urbanized
county. Research, education, and restoration
are ongoing efforts to unlock the hidden worlds
of Weedon Island Preserve. Come see how several
of the organisms found at the Preserve are
providing us important information about the
natural world. Come learn ways of bringing
some of the Preserve into your backyard.
What Is a Watershed? You're In One Now!
The Preserve is part of the Tampa
Bay watershed. We are all part of our watershed,
and the actions we take in our homes and yard
all impact the land and water around us. How
can you help make Tampa Bay a more
productive and cleaner water body? Don't miss
this area of the exhibit gallery where you
will learn tips and techniques you can use
to improve Tampa Bay and ensure healthy ecosystems
for future generations. |
Life-like fish greet
visitors to the exhibit.
Artifacts and replicas of ancient
pottery are on display.
Learn about the Preserve's
recent colorful past in
Memories, Mischief, and Movies.
Discover life through
a seahorse's perspective!
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