Tallahassee Remembers Its Rich History During Black History Month Celebration
Wednesday, January 18 at 05:02 PM
Tallahassee, Fla. - Jan. 18, 2012 - Enriched with a deep-rooted African American heritage and culture, Visit Tallahassee invites residents and visitors alike to explore Florida’s Capital City during Black History Month. Momentous events such as the 1865 reading of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 1956 bus boycott that resulted in the abolishment of segregated seating on public transportation weave together with Civil Rights monuments and an array of noteworthy sites to create a unique cultural tapestry and an African American experience that is distinctively Tallahassee.
Though some of the voices have now fallen silent, the message and achievements of Tallahassee’s many African Americans heroes live on through its historic homes and structures. Preserved treasures such as the Riley House and the Union Bank, tell of the struggles and the inspiring triumphs of Tallahassee’s black community. Follow the trail of these heritage sites and relive the African American experience.
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE SITES
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU)
The oldest Historically Black College & University (HBCU) in Florida, FAMU was established in 1887. Today, the university encompasses 12 schools and colleges. While on campus, visit the Foster Tanner Fine Arts Gallery and view a broad spectrum of world art, ranging from faculty exhibitions to international showcases by predominantly, yet not exclusively, African American artists.
Bradfordville Blues Club (BBC)
7152 Moses Lane, (850) 906-0766
An authentic chittlin’ circuit blues club, recently designated with a National Blues Trail marker. Having hosted an impressive list of nationally renowned Blues acts including Percy Sledge, Johnny Rawls, E.C. Scott and Johnny Marshall, the BBC is an icon in African American heritage in and of itself. It continues this long tradition delivering the best in live Blues on Friday and Saturday nights.
Carrie Meek-James N. Eaton Sr. Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center & Museum
Florida A&M University Campus, (850) 599-3020
One hundred and twenty-four year-old Florida A&M University lays claim to one of the country’s most extensive collections of African American artifacts, located at the historic 1907 Carnegie Library. Established by the Florida legislature in 1971, the repository houses more than half a million documents and thousands of artifacts from all over the world. The collection includes a 500-piece Ethiopian cross collection, and rare African books and maps, some dating back to the 1700s.
C.K. Steele Memorial
111 West Tennessee Street
C.K. Steele Memorial commemorates the work of the Reverend Charles Kenzie Steele, one of Florida’s outstanding Civil Rights leaders. Steele, who was a friend and colleague of Martin Luther King Jr., organized the Tallahassee bus boycott by setting up a car pool for black patrons. Steele often proclaimed, “I’d rather walk in dignity than ride in humiliation.”
First Presbyterian Church
102 North Adams Street
Built in 1835, this Greek Revival landmark is the oldest church in Tallahassee. Atypical in its time, the church welcomed African American slaves as independent members - who sat in the north gallery separate from the rest of the congregation - with or without their master’s consent.
John G. Riley House Museum
419 East Jefferson Street, (850) 681-7881
The second home in the state of Florida to be owned by a black person and placed in the National Registry of Historic Places in 1978 the Riley House is a historical landmark for the community. Owner, John Riley, was born into slavery in 1857 in Leon County. After slavery, he pursued education for a career and worked as a teacher and principal for the school board from the 1880s until 1926. He lived with his family in the home on Jefferson Street until his death in 1954. The Riley House represents the thriving, middle-class black community that once existed in downtown Tallahassee - Smoky Hollow - and now serves as a museum whose mission it is to preserve African American history and culture, from Reconstruction through the Civil Rights movement.
Knott House Museum
301 East Park Avenue, (850) 922-2459
Thought to be built in 1843 by free black builder George Proctor, perhaps the home’s most significant historical contribution was that Union Army Brigadier General Edward McCook read the Emancipation Proclamation from its front steps in 1865. Every year on May 20, an event is held on the steps of the Knott House to commemorate this historic event. Now a museum interpreting life in the 1920s and 30s, the restored home has been nicknamed “The House That Rhymes” for the eccentric poems written and attached to household furnishings by one-time matron of the house, Luella Knott.
Saint James C.M.E. Church
106 North Bronough Street
Constructed in 1899 on land purchased by black members of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, the structure is the oldest African American church in Tallahassee.
Battle of Natural Bridge Historic State Park
Just south of downtown Tallahassee in Woodville, the Battle of Natural Bridge took place in March 1865 when a Union force of troops, including two regiments of U.S. Colored Troops, landed in the vicinity of the St. Marks Lighthouse hoping to capture Tallahassee. The Union advance was halted by the Confederates at the Battle of Natural Bridge and the Union troops retreated back to the coast. The Battle of Natural Bridge Reenactment, one of the largest such events in Florida, is held annually in early March.
Tallahassee Museum
3945 Museum Drive, (850) 575-8684
Amid the 52 scenic acres that make up the Tallahassee Museum grounds are the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, the Concord Schoolhouse and the B.O. Wood Commissary.
Built in 1937 by a rural black congregation, the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church was founded by a slave preacher, Reverend James Page, ordained in the 1850s. It has the distinction of being one of the most significant black churches in Florida, and the exhibit, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and FAMU, traces the congregational history and the importance of black churches to their communities.
The circa 1890s, one-room Concord Schoolhouse was established to educate children of former slaves and served as a public school until 1968. Restored to its early appearance, the exhibit traces the history of the education of black students, serving as a powerful reminder of the struggles and strides made in black education in Florida.
The B.O. Wood Commissary, a remnant of the turpentine industry in Florida, was once a “company store” where black turpentine workers purchased provisions after a long workday spent in the pine forest.
Historic Frenchtown Community
The Historic Frenchtown Community originated from 19th century settlers who moved to the area from France. Their relocation was prompted by the July 4, 1825 Lafayette Land Grant, which gave Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, a township in the U.S. of his choice. After the Civil War, African Americans moved to the Frenchtown section and the area became a hub of activity with growing businesses. From 1940-1945, Ray Charles lived in this community and was among local and national musicians including Charles, Nat and Cannonball Adderley, BB King and Lawyer Smith who played the Red Bird Club and Cafe DeLuxe in Frenchtown. The fourth structure of Lincoln Academy, one of three freedmen schools built in Florida after slavery, still stands in Frenchtown and now serves as a community center and a historical memorial to the school’s history.
Over the years, Frenchtown contained various businesses that offered a wide range of goods and services including dry cleaners, jewelers, tailors, restaurants and various other establishments. Once considered the heart of the community, the businesses began to decline when integration arrived in the mid 60s. Existing residential architecture is a mix of homes built between 1900 and 1930 featuring southern vernacular frame structures with roofs, concrete block foundations and single stories of saddlebag, shotgun, cottage and bungalow styles. Interspersed within its boundaries are 21st century contemporary structures reflective of a Frenchtown revitalization initiative. Among the remaining businesses are barbershops, restaurants, a drug store, law offices, galleries and the City of Tallahassee Renaissance Center.
Taylor House Museum
442 West Georgia Street
Originally built in 1894, the Taylor House recently reopened to offer guests a glimpse into the past. Being promoted as the only civil rights museum in Florida, the white, two-story building showcases special exhibits and three different historical themes - Civil Rights, Frenchtown and the Taylor Family.
Tookes Villa/ The Tookes Hotel
412 West Virginia Street
Recognizing the need for a hotel for African American travelers during the segregation era, one-time owner Dorothy Nash Tookes modified her home in 1948, adding rooms to accommodate guests who could not seek lodging at other segregated establishments. Among those who once took shelter at Tookes’ Villa are Cab Calloway, Cannonball and Nat Adderley, James Baldwin, Lou Rawls and Ray Charles.
Union Bank
Southwest corner of Apalachee Parkway and Calhoun Street, (850) 487-3803
Built in 1841, the Union Bank is among Florida’s oldest surviving financial institutions. The bank played a major financial role as a planter’s bank in the territorial period and as the Freedman’s Savings Bank for newly emancipated slaves during Reconstruction.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH ACTIVITIES
“Annual Presentation of Highwaymen Paintings”
Museum of Florida History
500 South Bronough Street, (850) 245-6400
As we commemorate Black History Month, the Museum of Florida History showcases paintings by the famous Florida Highwaymen. Annually, the Museums of Florida History Foundation presents the Museum with Florida Highwaymen paintings for the collection. The group of African American artists who would eventually be called the “Highwaymen,” had their start in the Fort Pierce area in the 1950s. It was there that the noted landscape artist A. E.“Bean” Backus mentored several of these young art students.
“Paths to Freedom”
John G. Riley House Museum
419 East Jefferson Street, 681-7881
The “Paths to Freedom” exhibit will run Jan. 15 - May 20, 2012 highlighting two historical moments of freedom for African Americans, the end of slavery and the end of the Civil Rights Movement. Many slaves, free soldiers and civilians contributed significantly during these periods to achieve freedom. During the month of February, the Riley House will also feature “The Civil War 1861 to 1865 - Tribute to United States Colored Troops” exhibit at two locations. It will be shown at the Tallahassee Regional Airport during regular airport hours and at the Riley Museum Monday - Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
“Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight”
Museum of Florida History
500 South Bronough Street, (850) 245-6400
As we commemorate Black History Month, the Museum of Florida History showcases Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight from January 28 - April 22, 2012. The traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian traces the pioneering spirit and achievements of African Americans who broke racial barriers to become flight engineers in aviation.
The Soweto Gospel Choir
Ruby Diamond Concert Hall (Florida State University)
Seven Days of Opening Nights brings South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir to Tallahassee to provide audiences an uplifting story of South Africa’s past, present and future. The inspiring ensemble will perform tribal, traditional and popular African and Western gospel music, the rhythms, harmonies and voices. The event takes place February 9, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.
Allen Toussaint and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
Experience true New Orleans flavor in Tallahassee. Allen Toussaint is a legendary American musician, songwriter and producer working with the likes of Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Patti LaBelle, Dr. John, The Band, The Rolling Stones, Devo, Lee Dorsey and Irma Thomas. Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews is that rare artist who earns the respect of both jazz legends and rock stars. Andrews burst into international consciousness with Orleans Avenue and its blend of high-octane “SupaFunkRock” music. The event takes place February 17, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
Also part of FSU’s Seven Days of Opening Nights is the Grammy Award-winning string band, Carolina Chocolate Drops. The quartet’s high-energy live shows have already become legendary. The event takes place February 19, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.
For more information on Black History Month in Florida’s Capital City or to view sample itineraries of historic African American sites, visit www.VisitTallahassee.com or call Visit Tallahassee toll free at (800) 628-2866.
For more information about the Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network, visit www.faahpn.com or contact (850) 681-7881 or director@rileymuseum.org.
