#SeniorSeminar: Kieran Stenson and “Architectural History of Tarpon Springs, Florida”

As part of his senior seminar for the history major at Florida State University, Kieran Stenson spent time exploring the architectural history of Tarpon Springs, Florida. Initially, Kieran set out to investigate how local institutions—like museums and historical societies—presented and interpreted the area’s history, particularly in relation to the built environment. Ultimately, his research, centered around the Spring Bayou, not only examined the architectural significance of the area but also its role as a historical meeting point within the city.

Tarpon Springs, located along Florida's Gulf Coast, is famous for its strong Greek heritage. This cultural influence dates back to the early 1900s when Greek immigrants arrived to develop the city's sponge diving industry, a traditional profession in Greece. This unique blend of cultural and industrial history drew Kieran to choose the topic, as he explains, "Tarpon Springs is a cool city... It has a large Greek population... and a unique history of sponge diving." The town’s connection to its Greek roots, with Greek divers brought in from the Aegean islands to harvest sponges, provided the perfect backdrop for an examination of how the area’s historical architecture and landscapes shaped the city’s development.

As a student from the region, he was already familiar with Tarpon Springs, but his senior seminar offered an opportunity to dig deeper into its historical significance. Explaining his decision to focus on Spring Bayou he said, "It’s close to where I grew up. I was always interested in it." The bayou, which is the oldest part of the Tarpon Springs, became a central point in his research due to its evolving role as a center of social and economic activity.

The research process, however, was not without challenges. Although Kieran visited the area during his initial exploration, the aftermath of hurricanes that affected the region disrupted his ability to conduct field research. As a result, he revised his research question to focus less on public-facing historical interpretation and more on how the physical geography and primary source documents—particularly historical newspapers—revealed the bayou’s evolving significance. He recounts, “The hurricanes affected Tarpon Springs. Its museums were closed for a good portion of the semester.” This shift allowed him to emphasize the environmental history of the area, uncovering a rich story about how the community grew around and through its central body of water.

Kieran discovered valuable insights, largely through newspaper archives. He found these sources invaluable for tracking the town’s growth, noting, “It was cool... reading newspapers from back in the day... property listings, advertisements, and the way they described the town.” Perhaps the most unexpected discovery during his research was the revelation of a curious historical phenomenon involving the bayou. According to newspaper accounts from the 1910s, the bayou was once prone to sudden, unexplained explosions. "These overnight explosions confused residents," Kieran read in one of the articles. Ultimately, he experienced the unfolding of history himself. “I got to discover, along with the residents, over the years as they figured out, that the bayou is connected through an underground cave system to a lake.” The pressure from the cave systems caused periodic explosions.

In the course, Kieran collaborated closely with Dr. Kathleen Conti, the professor for this senior seminar. Dr. Conti’s background in architectural and environmental history proved particularly beneficial, as he found himself unexpectedly drawn to the intersection of history, architecture, and environmental studies. "It was a new area of history for me, and I actually really enjoyed it," he says, reflecting on how the seminar introduced him to the field of historic preservation. This experience has proven influential in shaping his professional interests, leading him to consider a future in architectural history, something he had not initially anticipated.

The senior seminar itself also had a profound impact on his growth as both a researcher and a person. "It taught me a lot about time management and planning... It helped me get better as a writer and a researcher," he shared, acknowledging the challenge of balancing his honors thesis work with the history program’s seminar. The rigorous demands of both projects sharpened his organizational skills, while the extensive peer review process further developed his writing abilities. “The peer review was really, really in-depth... it was actually helpful,” he adds, highlighting the collaborative nature of the seminar. Working with other students in the seminar proved to be beneficial.

Now a graduate of FSU, Kieran has begun a new chapter in his life. After having worked as an academic success coach at Tallahassee State College, he will travel to Hungary in fall to teach English. Despite the challenges of learning Hungarian, Kieran is eager to embrace the experience, knowing it will be a valuable part of his personal and professional journey.

As he reflects on his senior seminar, Kieran offers advice to future history majors: “Take history classes on topics that you don’t know much about, because the courses might surprise you.” His own experience is a testament to the unexpected paths that academic exploration can lead, reiterating the importance of remaining open to new ideas and opportunities.