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ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County commissioners approved $2 million this week to repair and modernize the Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture.
It tells the stories of African-American residents and visitors in Orlando from the 1920s up until today.
The museum anchors a rich history in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood.
It was originally a hotel, built in 1926.
“Dr. William Monroe Wells built the hotel and a nearby entertainment venue for African Americans visiting Orlando. During the Segregation era, this hotel served as host to several now famous African American performers. On February 4, 2000, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places,” the museum’s website explained.
The passing of time is taking its toll on the historic building. Outside, you can see the need for structural repairs.
Inside, the museum needs major repairs to the air conditioning system, updates to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and several other structural repairs.
Elizabeth Grace is the museum’s interim executive director.
The museum was originally a hotel, built in 1926. The passing of time is taking its toll on the historic building. (Spectrum News 13/Keith Landry)
“We are in a building that is over 100 years old,” she said. “So there is physical maintenance that needs to happen just to the building itself.”
Grace is the daughter of the museum’s founder, the late State Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson, who opened the museum inside the historic building and pushed to fill it with unique exhibits to capture part of Orlando’s history.
“It was her absolute passion for African-American history and for making sure the knowledge was available, not just for her, but for generations after,” Grace said.
Displays from the 1920s through modern times capture various chapters in the region’s history. Grace showed Spectrum News 13 green books that include a list of hotels safe and welcoming for African-American travelers during a different era.
The museum’s interim executive director showed us green books that include a list of hotels safe and welcoming for African-American travelers during a different era. (Spectrum News 13/Keith Landry)
“Right here under hotels, you’ll see it has the Wells’Built and you’ll also see it was the only hotel that was listed here in Orlando,” she said.
The money will also help preserve historic displays and art.
It’s a local government’s commitment to maintain decades of stories about our region’s history and a renovation to keep an historic place and a powerful legacy moving forward.
Orange County funding will also help to renovate the Wells’ Heritage Home.
The museum tells the stories of African-American residents and visitors in Orlando from the 1920s up until today. (Spectrum News 13/Keith Landry)
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Keith Landry
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