TAMPA, Fla. — A local history expert and author has turned her passion for the preservation of Black history into a business.

This Saturday, the community is celebrating the second anniversary of Ersula’s History Shop. The store is Ersula Odom’s ode to what once was.

Odom is an author, publisher and collector of all things valuable, historic and meaningful. In her store, she has everything, from cotton to coffee cups and collectibles.

“Anything having to do with dates. I have original newspapers from during the time that these events happened. Like this is from the day Kennedy was assassinated,” she said. “I give people the opportunity to have history in their hands.”

When she’s not sharing history in her store or writing books, Odom portrays Mary McLeod Bethune at events.

“At first, I tried to speak like her and try to be her, and then I said, ‘No, I’m going to be the essence of her,'” she said.

Now, she’s got it down to a science.

“I pulled on the fact that she grew up in the same physical area as my grandmother. And I remembered how my grandmother would speak,” said Odom. “So, there’s a part when I talk about the school was founded in 1904. Well, grandmother used to say, ‘19-uh-4.’ So, when I give that presentation, it’s a salute to grandmother and Dr. Bethune.”

It’s her way of making the words about historic figures hop off the pages of the books she sells in her store. Odom considers it a great deal when you add in the authentic handwritten documents, old Jet magazines and antique stoves to either purchase or simply learn more about.

“If something reminded you of when you were a little child or when you had this wonderful time vising someone. Or it reminds you of a relative that’s no longer here,” she said. “Whatever is that joy space for you, little pieces of artifacts can do that.”

It’s the kind of thing that she says keeps history alive.

The second anniversary celebration for Ersula’s History shop is Feb. 3 from 12 p.m to 6 p.m. at 1421 Tampa Park Plaza, in the Urban Lux Breezeway.