They say a picture’s worth a thousand words and the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center is hoping to capture local stories in its annual Photojournalism Contest.
Any resident of the greater Plant City area is welcome to apply as long as submissions are turned in by the April 18 deadline. The Archives has built up an impeccable reputation throughout town with its dedication toward preserving Plant City’s history. People have turned in their beloved family photos to preserve, had old yearbooks scanned and have even showed up with their photos of “ghosts” around town.
The key to ensuring future generations will be able to remember what Plant City and all of its rich and diverse history holds is to document the world around us. Gil Gott, executive director for the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center, frequently encourages attendees to take time to take lasting photos of the memories around them.
This contest is designed to push the public to show off their skills. Entrants are to use photographs to document real life and tell a factual story all in one image. Photos that capture the essence and history of the Plant City area along with a 400 to 800-word story about the image can be turned in in hopes of the applicant walking way with a first, second or third place prize.
First place will receive $100, second place will receive $75 and third place will receive $50. The financial rewards are sponsored by Haught Funeral Home and will be presented in a ceremony following the Easter break sometime around April 25.
The written portion should be in Times New Roman, Calibri or Arial and 11 to 12-point except for the heading. Entries can be dropped off or sent to the Photo Archives & History Center, 106 S. Evers St., Plant City, FL 33563. Typed entries with photos attached in a JPG format can be emailed to gil@plantcityphotoarchives.org.
The Archives also offer a unique program for children in the community to help encourage them to use their detective skills to learn to preserve history and derive information from a variety of artifacts.
The Jr. Archivists Club is open for any student age 9 to 14 years old. The club is kicking off the “Be an Artifact Detective II” program with an open house and registration from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. April 2. The free four-week course will be held for one hour each week from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
The Club teaches students how to become “history detectives” and has them dive into the rich history of Plant City and its surrounding communities. It’s the perfect way for local youth to learn how to study history and thus know how to preserve the present for future generations to one day look back on and examine.
FOR MORE INFO
Anyone with questions is welcome to pop into the Archives and History Center or to call 813-754-1578.