UWF in the Community

UWF Historic Trust celebrates grand opening of Museum Plaza, a new community space in downtown Pensacola

Today, the University of West Florida Historic Trust celebrated the grand opening of Museum Plaza, a new multi-use and educational community space in downtown Pensacola that helps tell the story of Pensacola’s rich history.

View from the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum of Museum Plaza located behind the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum.

Today, the University of West Florida Historic Trust celebrated the grand opening of Museum Plaza, a new multi-use and educational community space in downtown Pensacola that helps tell the story of Pensacola’s rich history.

“Without the invaluable support of donors and community partners, this all would not have been possible,” said Howard Reddy, vice president for university advancement. “We have created a dynamic community space in the heart of our historic city that preserves and interprets our archaeological treasures and provides a unique platform for learning and engagement.”

The multi-purpose, cultural activity plaza serves as a central connection point between the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum, Pensacola Children’s Museum, Voices of Pensacola multicultural center and the Historic Pensacola Village, while doubling as an outdoor classroom that helps the public better understand the historic landscape.

“The notion of the plaza was to create an urban green space downtown that better ties the eastern part of the historic properties we manage to the Palafox business district, with better lighting, better walkways and to make it more pleasant to look at,” said Rob Overton, executive director for the UWF Historic Trust. “We determined that it could really be a focal point for downtown if we liven it up and tied the two parts of the city together.”

The grand opening highlighted Museum Plaza’s fun, free and family centered activities, including an interactive early learning playground; the Commanding Officers’ Compound, an outdoor exhibit that displays exposed brick from a historic British fort; the Rose Garden Storytelling Circle; and the Linda Evans Memorial Education Pavilion, which includes a covered stage and seating area. The Argo Athletic Band played at the event, and the Rose Garden Storytelling Circle, which features first-person interpretations of historical figures associated with Pensacola, came to life with a visit from local farmer and militiaman, Isaac Pugh.

Discovery Square, the interactive early learning playground donated by Quint and Rishy Studer, highlights the industries that played an important role in the development of Pensacola: timber, fishing, shipping, brick making and transportation. The playground’s design features unique equipment with colorful letters and numbers, encouraging children to explore and learn while playing. It was named “Discovery Square,” an idea submitted by a member of the community through a naming competition held last spring.

“There’s no greater thing than to give back and to help children learn,” said Quint Studer. “We are pleased to be a part of this and to be able to share this community.”

The plaza is the next phase of development included in the UWF Historic Trust Interpretive Master Plan. The plan, which was launched in Fall 2015, details the transformational vision for Historic Pensacola through a series of appropriate and achievable enhancements to provide balance between resource protection, historical education, visitor and recreational use and enjoyment of the nine acre, 32-property complex.

Funding for Museum Plaza was provided by the UWF Historic Trust, Quint and Rishy Studer, David and Emily Walby, IMPACT 100, Fiesta of Five Flags and the Florida Division of Historical Resources.

For more information about the UWF Historic Trust, visit historicpensacola.org.