West Tampa Oral History Project

The West Tampa Oral History Project is a community-driven initiative dedicated to preserving and sharing the voices and stories of West Tampa through the recollections of its residents. Once an independent city before its annexation by Tampa in 1925, West Tampa has maintained its distinct identity as a vibrant cultural center. Through personal recollections spanning topics such as cigar manufacturing, baseball, urban development, education, and civil rights, the oral histories highlight the people, traditions, and experiences that have shaped the neighborhood. Together, they create a time capsule of the legacy of West Tampa and the community’s aspirations for the future.

The West Tampa Oral History Project was proposed by the West Tampa Heritage Alliance and led by Rhonda Villamia, an active member of several organizations advocating for the preservation of West Tampa. Interviews were recorded in 2025 and 2026.

This collection is under construction and interviews are being loaded when transcription is complete. Please contact Amanda Boczar, amandaboczar@usf.edu, for access to unpublished interviews.