The Janie L. Bing Rooming House Museum in the Historic Laura Street Business District once served as a domestic hotel for people of color during the United States’ period of segregation.
The hotel originally operated from 1928 to 1975, with the Seminole Restaurant being added in 1931. Now it stands as a National History Site and operates as a museum that emphasizes the Plant City community’s’s triumph over segregation and strives to accurately preserve, interpret and present the city’s local African American history from an African American perspective.
In addition to the museum itself, located at 205 Allen St., the Bing Rooming House has also added a burgeoning Sports Hall of Fame aimed at Plant City-area athletes, coaches, trainers and those who made successful sports careers possible.
The Hall of Fame’s first inductee was boxer Chevelle Hallback in 2020.
The location also offers free VA military assistance each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
On Saturday, June 19, the Bing Rooming House Museum will also stand front and center for the Juneteenth Laura Street Market, which will showcase today’s entrepreneurs along with local talent, music and food.
The event is hosted by G.R.O.W. Plant City and will act as the kick-off event for the new organization. A variety of vendors will be on site for the event.
Having the event at the Bing House pays homage to the history of Laura Street — which has long served as a thriving business district for the Black community.
For more information on the museum and its services, including a Plant City African American historic selfie tour, visit plantcitybinghouse.com. And if you’re looking to visit, the museum is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and tours can additionally be scheduled for any day — including weekends — by calling 813-743-0947 or 863-398-2059.
