Wire
Press Release: Announcing “Hidden, Historic Campbell Park” from St. Petersburg Black History Tours
St. Petersburg, FL — August 18, 2024 St. Petersburg Black History Tours is excited to introduce a new, revealing walking tour: Hidden, Historic Campbell Park. This tour takes participants on a mile long journey through the city’s first “Negro Park,” where they will hear lesser-known stories about the history that preceded the park’s current state. Led by historian Josette Green, the tour is enriched by historical photos and articles shared along the way. The tour lasts less than two hours and has been described as “fascinating” and “jarring,” leaving many inspired to delve deeper into the history of the southside.
This walking tour is a new addition to the popular Black History Bike Tour, which has been educating the community for the past three years. With over 65 tours and more than 1,200 residents educated, the bike tour has been a significant part of St. Petersburg’s cultural landscape. Both tours offer a unique experience by taking participants to the very sites where historical events took place. The addition of the walking tour has led to a rebranding of the organization as St. Petersburg Black History Tours. Both tours offer participants actionable steps toward advancing racial equity in the city. Together, they provide a comprehensive education on local Black history, covering different stories and perspectives.
Josette Green, a dedicated local historian, is passionate about bringing the unfiltered and factually documented history of the Black community to local residents. With nearly 20 years of research into St. Petersburg’s history, Josette brings a deep understanding of the city’s racial dynamics to her tours. A volunteer, she conducts these tours out of a deep belief in the importance of racial equity.
Tour Details and Dates: The Hidden, Historic Campbell Park walking tour and the Black History Bike Tour will run from the end of September 2024 through April 2025. Spaces are limited, and tours fill up quickly, so reservations for the fall season should be made soon at BlackHistoryBikeTour.com. The website provides tour dates and all information pertaining to the tours.
Participant Testimonials:
“One of the most enlightening events of my life.”
“An extraordinary Black history education. All should attend. Well done, Josette!”
“Thanks for inviting and telling the truth of Black experience in St. Petersburg. It still feels raw to me but I know it gives a visual of how recently this actually happened.”
“It was eye-opening on so many levels, and I can’t believe that I grew up while this was going on. Thank you so much for all the work you put into these tours.”
Contact Information: For more information, please contact Josette Green at SPBlackHistoryTours@gmail.com or 727-503-4736.