TAMPA — As phrase unfold by means of Tampa historical past Facebook teams that the previous Adams & Jennings Funeral Home building had offered, members had two questions: Who purchased it and what is going to develop into of the white porcelain cat that’s been mounted to the roof as a Seminole Heights landmark for almost eight a long time?
“We heard from people all over the country, not just locally,” stated Michael Guinn, who bought the building at 6900 N. Nebraska Ave with fiancée Casey Lee. “It’s just amazing how much people love that cat.”
The cat will keep and get a a reputation, with the building’s new use assuring it’ll take pleasure in greater than 9 lives.
It’s now the Guinn Center, a 5,000-square-foot neighborhood area available for occasions, lessons, conferences and extra.
“We’d love to talk with artists, crafters, musicians, teachers, scientists, engineers, fitness trainers, event planners, non-profits, community groups, food trucks, and party vendors,” the middle’s first Facebook put up says. “Our goal is to create a multi-use, family friendly environment where you can celebrate your life events, execute your ideas, connect with your community … Oh, and don’t worry, the white cat is absolutely staying! Who thinks we should give the famous feline a name?”
One identify urged: Ghost, as a result of cat’s former connection to a funeral home.
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 5760 3840"/%3E "Casey Lee, left, and her fiance Michael Guinn, of Tampa, stand in front of the Guinn Center at 6900 N Nebraska Ave in Tampa. The building was the Adams & Jennings Funeral Home before being sold and will retain its iconic ceramic cat that's been on the roof for nearly 80 years.")
The heart may also be home to Guinn’s nonprofit, MRG Labs, which helps causes by means of science and engineering. During the COVID-19 pandemic, MRG Labs used 3D printers to supply after which donate greater than 140,000 face shields to hospitals all through the state.
“A lot of people helped Michael during the pandemic,” Lee stated. “Churches gave him space. He had tons of volunteers, and he had other people helping him find the means to do it … He wants this building to be that for others … That’s the vision — we have the space so come execute your ideas here.”
His knowhow and lab’s know-how can be available by means of STEM lessons. One undertaking Guinn envisions is utilizing a conveyable laser scanner and 3D printer to supply copies of the ceramic cat.
The paws have posts which might be bolted to the roof and a leash of braided stainless cable is looped round one ankle.
While “we don’t want anything to happen to the cat,” Guinn stated, “we should be prepared to replace it.”
According to Tampa Bay Times archives, there have been as soon as two cats, one white and one black. In 1948, they have been placed on the roof of an vintage retailer at that very same location. When the vintage retailer homeowners offered the building to Adams & Jennings Funeral Home in 1962, they took the black cat and left the white one. In 2007, the building was demolished and changed, and the cat made the transfer to the brand new one.
The funeral home closed in March 2023, in keeping with its web site.
In January, when Guinn introduced on Tampa historical past Facebook teams that he was negotiating to buy the property, commenters made it clear that they anticipated the cat to remain on the roof.
“You better leave the cat or the people will riot!” Caroline Catchpole Spradlin wrote.
“Please just keep the cat on the roof!!!!” added Desiree Lobato Menendez. “It’s local history.”
Guinn responded to just about each remark with an assurance that he wouldn’t dare take away the cat. He doesn’t need to face the ire of his 4-year-old daughter, who wonders if it may well magically come to life.
“We live nearby, and she is always talking about the cat,” Guinn stated. “Every time we’ve ever driven past the building, she swears the cat is looking at her.”
