The Wandering Disciple

Tampa, Florida: Nestled between the cruise ships in the Port of Tampa sits a historic vessel, the SS American Victory. One of only four remaining operational World War II vessels, the American Victory has seen action in three wars and while her naval service is over, she continues to serve by telling the story of the merchant marines The American Victory was a Victory class ship with a long history. She was built in 1945 at the California Shipbuilding Yard and was named after the American University in Washington DC. The 455 feet long, 10,750 ton ship took just 55 days to build. The shop served in World War II running military cargo into the Pacific theater. She also ferried equipment to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Between military engagements, the ship was in the reserve fleet and was even used at one point as an ice breaker in the Black Sea. The American Victory served the nation proudly from 1951 through 1969 before going into reserve storage in the James Rive...

The sporting history of Tampa is on display in the Year Round Play exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center. Tampa Bay is home to three professional sports teams and the year round warm weather attracts amateur and semi-pro sports from around the country. (Photo: May 9, 2010)

Warner Robins, Georgia: Robins Air Force Base has served the United States Air Force for seven decades. It role as home to the Air Force Materiel Command has made the base a key player in maintain the Air Force’s feel or aircraft. To honor the rich history of Robins Air Force Base, they opened the Museum of Aviation in 1981. Housing four large structures and over ninety aircraft, the museum takes visitors on a trip through the history of operations at Robins AFB from World War II through the War on Terror. A visit to the Museum of Aviation begins at the Eagle Building. The three story building is home to many exhibits. In the atrium as you entrance is an F-15 Eagle to showcase Team Robins maintenance mission. Throughout the building you will travel through time through exhibits showcasing aircraft from World War II both the European and Pacific theaters, Korean War and much more. The Eagle Building is also home to the gift shop on the first floor, the Georgia Hall of Fame ...

A motorcycle from the NYPD Motor Unit sits on display at they New York City Police Museum in lower Manhattan.  Housed in the historic first precinct, the museum houses memorabilia from the rich history of the NYPD.  (Photo: August 27, 2005)

A locomotive from the Savannah and Atlanta Railway sits on display at the Georgia State Railroad Museum. Housed in the Central of Georgia Railway Savannah Shops and Terminal Facilities, the museum takes a look at the railroad history of Georgia. (Photo: March 15, 2014)

Savannah, Georgia: For decades our nation was connected by rail. People and goods passed from coast to coast on this vast network of railways and there is no better example of the rail era then the Georgia State Railroad Museum. The museum is housed in one of the most complete Antebellum rail complexes in the nation. It is the oldest and largest 19th century rail complexes in the country. Thirteen of the original structures still remain at the museum. The 33 acre site has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and declared a National Historic Landmark. The complex was built in the late 1800’s for the Central of Georgia Railway. A major fire in the early 1920’s damaged a bunch of the buildings but they were later rebuilt. The complex remained in operation until 1963 when the Southern Railway bought out Central of Georgia and closed the facility. Southern transferred the complex to the City of Savannah and in 1989 the Coastal Heritage Society opened the mus...

A giant propeller like the ones found on Titanic greets visitors to the Titanic Experience in Orlando. The museum takes visitors from the shipyard, to the maiden voyage and through the recovery. (Photo: September 20, 2003)

A Native American tribal ritual is depicted here in this diorama at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the University of Florida campus.  The history of the Calusa, Seminole and Miccosukee tribes and be seen here at the museum.  (Photo: November 9, 2013)

A replica pioneer cabin is on display at the Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando. Cabins like these were prevalent throughout the state during the pioneer periods. (Photo: July 9, 2013)

A bobcat lurks from the trees in the wildlife exhibit at the Orlando Science Center. The four story Orlando Science Center features exhibits ranging from the natural environment to science and technology. (Photo: July 9, 2013)

A photo of a Manatee covers the skylight windows at the Florida Natural History Museum at the University of Florida.  The manatee is an endangered specie that can be found throughout Florida waters.  (Photo: November 9, 2013)

A raccoon grabs a bite to eat in a wilderness exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History.  Raccoon are one of the many native Florida wildlife represented in the museum.  (Photo: November 9, 2013)

Gainesville, Florida:  For over one hundred years, the Florida Museum of Natural History has been telling the story of Florida's past.  Dioramas depicting ancient fossils through modern day wildlife can be found in the museum located in the heart of the University of Florida's cultural plaza. The museum was founded in 1891 when Professor Frank Pickel purchased collections of specimens for research at the Florida Agricultural College.  In 1906, the college closed and the collection was relocated to the University of Florida.  Then in 1917, the Florida legistlature declared that the museum was the official museum of natural history for the entire state.  The museum and it's mission continued to grow and in 1995, it opened at its current location.  Today the museum has grown to over 34 million specimens including one of the largest collections of butteries in the world. While much of the museum's specimens are in storage, there is plenty to see in the mu...

Tampa Fire Department’s Truck 42 “Little Mack” is on display at the Tampa Firefighters Museum. Located in a historic firehouse, Tampa Firefighters Museum houses photos and memorabilia highlighting the of the Tampa Fire Department. (Photo: October 19, 2013)

Tampa, Florida: For over a hundred years, the men and women of the Tampa Fire Department have been protecting the citizens of Tampa. The Tampa Firefighters Museum was opened to honor those brave firefighters who risk all to keep Tampa safe. The Tampa Fire Department was formed in 1895 by a resolution passed by the city council. The department started with just 22 firefighters and hand drawn pumpers. Today the department has grown to 22 stations staffed by more then 600 firefighters. A museum of tell the story of the Tampa Fire Department opened in 2008. From within the walls of the historic station, the museum has exhibits that show how Tampa FD has evolved over the years. Here you can see bunker gear from past and present, antique fire engines, and tools of the trade from throughout the years. There is also a memorial for those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The museum is housed in the original 1911 fire station. This historic station was the main stati...

Orlando, Florida: When people think of Central Florida, the first thing that comes to mind is the world famous theme parks. But the region has a much deeper history and the Orange County Regional History Center helps tell the story. From the Native American tribes through the Mouse, the entire history of Central can be viewed at the museum. The need for a history center was realized in the early 1940’s and the first museum was opened in 1942 in the red brick courthouse. The museum operated there until the courthouse was demolished. The growing collection went into storage from six years and resurfaced in the Courthouse Annex in 1963. The collection moved again in 1970 to the nearby Christ Building. After bouncing around a few times, the Orange County Historical Society began an initiative to find a permanent home for the museum. After five years of fundraising efforts, the museum found a new home at Loch Haven Park in 1976. In 2000, the History Center moved for the final...

Orlando, Florida: The mystery and wonder of the science world come to life at the Orlando Science. Here visitors can get a hands-on experience to help see how science effects the world around us and to help educate the public on the critical STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) pathways. The journey of the Orlando Science Center began in 1955 as the travelling Central Florida Museum and Planetarium. They educated through the public schools and traveling exhibits throughout the community. A couple years later, the city of Orlando gave the museum space for a permanent museum at Loch Haven Park and in 1960, permanent museum opened to the public. Throughout the years, the museum grew from a small traveling museum to a 207,000 square foot technologically advanced facility. Today the museum occupies a four story state of the art facility. It is more than six times larger than the original museum Here are the current permanent exhibits and science centers found on di...

These marble stair lead to one of the most stunning views in Sarasota. The stairs take you to the tower of the Ca d’ Zan for a breathtaking view of Sarasota Bay. The Ca d’ Za is the home of circus entrepreneur John Ringling. (Photo: June 14 2009)

An Eastern Air Lines DC-3 suspends from the air in the America by Air exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. The exhibit showcases the history of commercial aviation in the United States. (Photo: February 16, 2009)

The Snowbird sits on display in the Moving the Mail exhibit at the National Postal Museum. The Snowbird is a Model T Ford with a snow ski attachment known as the mailman’s special. This made it possible to deliver the mail in snowy conditions. (Photo: February 14, 2009)