Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, Inc. (P.E.C.), established in 1987 as a 501©3 organization whose mission is to promote Eatonville, Florida’s considerable heritage, historical, and cultural resources as a means for the community’s revitalization and economic development; and via programming which promotes pride of heritage, educational excellence and the cultural arts will preserve and protect the community for posterity.
Following are highlights of P.E.C.’s and the Town of Eatonville’s advocacy initiatives.
The State of Florida’s Selection Committee will make its final determination on the winning site location for Florida’s proposed African American Museum by June 30, 2024. Winnifred Hurston, Chair of Development, P.E.C., stated, “We wholeheartedly support Mayor Angie Gardner’s and the Town Council’s valiant efforts that resulted in Eatonville’s designation as 1 of 13 Florida candidate site locations vying for the newly proposed African American Museum. The Town’s Administration and community partners’ stewardship moved the needle as Eatonville has risen to the #2 ranked candidate of the three remaining site candidates. We believe Eatonville is the best historical site location for Florida’s African American Museum as it is the FIRST Black / African-American, self-governed municipality incorporated in the United States – “The Town That Freedom Built”. Several of Eatonville’s founding families (Clarke, Alexander, and Jones) have resided in this historic community for over a century and still live there today. Zora Neale Hurston, anthropologist, folklorist, and global literary icon also lived in Eatonville as a child, and she celebrated its people throughout her writing and has made the Eatonville community a beloved cultural tourism destination. These positive historic facts should resonate with people of all backgrounds and make Eatonville the best historic site location in the state. We urge you to stand with Mayor Angie Gardner and the Town Council to voice your support of Eatonville’s site candidacy for Florida’s proposed African American Museum.”
On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, during a joint press conference between the National Trust for Historic Preservation (the National Trust), P.E.C., Mayor Angie Gardner, Eatonville Town Council, and the Southern Poverty Law Center; the Town of Eatonville garnered national media attention and traction, as it was showcased on a national platform wherein the National Trust selected the Historic Town of Eatonville, Florida for its 2024 List of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Chad McKendrick, President, P.E.C., stated, “In essence, the National Trust considered Eatonville out of numerous historic sites, to promote awareness, and affirm Eatonville’s worthiness of protective zoning measures and worldwide philanthropic advocacy. We are extremely proud of Eatonville’s historic legacy and the National Trust recognizes its historic significant relevance. For these reasons we believe Eatonville is the best site candidate for Florida’s proposed African American Museum.” https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2024/05/01/eatonville-seen-as-one-of-america-s-11-most-endangered-historic-places
Please join P.E.C., Mayor Angie Gardner, Town Council, and the citizens of Eatonville for the upcoming 2024 and 2025 Zora Neale Hurston FestivalTM of the Arts and Humanities Season events.
Save The Date – HATitude Cultural Flair on Saturday, October 19, 2024, a program of the 2024 Zora Neale Hurston FestivalTM of the Arts and Humanities Season.
Save The Date – ZORA! Festival on Monday, January 27, 2025, through Sunday, February 2, 2025, and the season begins on Zora’s birthday, January 7th, programs of the 2025 Zora Neale Hurston FestivalTM of the Arts and Humanities.
P.E.C. seeks partnerships to continue its advocacy.
Media Contact
N.Y. Nathiri, Executive Director
Zora Neale Hurston FestivalTM of the Arts and Humanities
Email: ny@perserveatonville.org – Telephone: 407.782.7097
Development Contact
Winnifred Hurston, Chair of Development
Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, Inc.
Email: preserveeatonville@gmail.com
