Most experts agree, that using your cell-phone while driving is probably unsafe or at least a distraction. But at the St. Petersburg Museum of History, your cell-phone helps take you on a trip back in time. "It’s as easy as dialing a local number," said Nevin Sitler, the museum’s Education Curator. "Utilizing their personal cell-phone, patrons are able to explore the museum in more detail… and on their own time."

Cell-phone tours allow visitors to replay narratives or skip ahead while touring the museum and, according to Sitler, provide a new level of convenience for patrons. More importantly, he continues, the audio tour enables visually impaired guests to more fully experience the museum and unique collections.

In the museum’s continual quest for accessibility for all guests, the cell-phone audio tour is a perfect addition to the newly installed touch-screen computers located through out the galleries, which provide further explanations for arm-chair historians and/or the hearing impaired. "No longer will our hearing or visually challenged guests feel neglected," notes Executive Director Dr. George Banez, "this is a 21st Century leap forward in bridging those gaps."

While cell-phone tours are a growing trend among larger museums and historic cities, the St. Petersburg Museum of History is one of only a few cultural resources in the Tampa Bay region embracing this technology. In fact, points out Sitler, the history museum is likely the first institution in Pinellas County to offer this high-tech benefit free of charge to guests.

The Museum is pleased to have worked in conjunction with the Pinellas County Cultural Affairs Department and neighboring cultural organizations in obtaining and making the audio tour available for our guests enjoyment of the Museum

Whether trekking with 16th century European explorers, viewing a mummy, or experiencing the thrill of the World’s First Commercial Airline, history is just a phone call away at the St. Petersburg Museum of History. For more details, visit www.spmoh.org, or call Nevin Sitler, Education Curator, at 727-894-1052 ext. 206.

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Copyright 2010.  The Museum's programs are funded in part by: 1) the Pinellas County Commission through the Pinellas County Arts Council Cultural Development Grant Program; 2) the Historical Museum's Grants-In-Aid Program, Division of Cultural Affairs, Fl. Dept. of State; 3) the City of St. Petersburg; 4) Visit Florida-The St. Petersburg/Clearwater Convention and Visitors Bureau; 5) Pinellas County Community Foundation; and from Individual and Corporate donors, such as yourself. Thank You!