Digital Collections Crowdsources Unique Local History Highlighting Community Pride

Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library’s Digital Collections collaborated with East Tampa’s Historic Belmont Heights Neighborhood Association to record the essence of this historic African American neighborhood known for its community spirit and history of athletic achievement. 

The 2nd Annual Neighborhood Reunion was held this summer at Cyrus Greene Park, the home of the legendary Belmont Heights Little League, where collaborative efforts came together. Video memories of community elders sharing stories as well as crowdsourced photographs of landmarks and residents, past and present, premiered.

The Historic Belmont Heights collection is available through Digital Collection’s Our Lives, Our Legacies: The Hillsborough Black Experience.

Image Caption: Historic Belmont Heights Neighborhood Association’s reunion gathering group photo. Neighborhood associations help crowdsource content to preserve community memories.

Submitted by: Jessica J. Miller, Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library