Orlando, Florida Local News
Renovations underway at historic Eatonville club
[ad_1]
The historic Club Eaton is getting much-needed renovations in Eatonville.Earlier this month, heavy machinery tore down part of the club to make way for the next steps of the project.Club Eaton first opened in the 1940s. Music greats such as B.B. King, James Brown and Ella Fitzgerald, to name a few, once performed there. It was one of the only venues in Central Florida where Black people could showcase their talents.”These different venues were created out of necessity. They were created to provide a safe place for the performers to perform and entertain people,” said Eatonville’s Mayor Angie Gardner.It’s gone through its share of changes and different names before shutting down in 2008. After years of disrepair and more than a million dollars in grant money, work is underway to restore the piece of history.”This building is more than just the building. This restoration project is more than just a restoration project. It is symbolic, is symbolic of how this town still exists,” Gardner said.The project will be done in four phases. Crews just finished removing the damaged framing from inside the building.”When I look in here now, it’s pretty wild to see it and see how much work needs to be done to put it back together. The exterior walls will need to be saved. We’re going to do some rehab to make sure that they’re structurally sound when we start putting in the brand new roofing system,” said Samuel Lee, the general contractor working on the project.While it will take time to complete the project, those working on it say it will eventually transform into a museum with a space for performers, dining and entertainment.”The fact that I get to be a part of this and bring that light back into this building is like completely amazing to me. Being able to use my creative expression in order to be a part of this special expression is a great opportunity, and I’m really excited about it,” Lee said.The next step is seeing what needs to be fixed and put back together and then the architect will come up with a master design to bring all the finishes.The Florida Division of Historical Resources gave a $1 million grant to the town of Eatonville and the club’s current property owner donated $250,000 for the project.
The historic Club Eaton is getting much-needed renovations in Eatonville.
Earlier this month, heavy machinery tore down part of the club to make way for the next steps of the project.
Club Eaton first opened in the 1940s. Music greats such as B.B. King, James Brown and Ella Fitzgerald, to name a few, once performed there. It was one of the only venues in Central Florida where Black people could showcase their talents.
“These different venues were created out of necessity. They were created to provide a safe place for the performers to perform and entertain people,” said Eatonville’s Mayor Angie Gardner.
It’s gone through its share of changes and different names before shutting down in 2008.
After years of disrepair and more than a million dollars in grant money, work is underway to restore the piece of history.
“This building is more than just the building. This restoration project is more than just a restoration project. It is symbolic, is symbolic of how this town still exists,” Gardner said.
The project will be done in four phases. Crews just finished removing the damaged framing from inside the building.
“When I look in here now, it’s pretty wild to see it and see how much work needs to be done to put it back together. The exterior walls will need to be saved. We’re going to do some rehab to make sure that they’re structurally sound when we start putting in the brand new roofing system,” said Samuel Lee, the general contractor working on the project.
While it will take time to complete the project, those working on it say it will eventually transform into a museum with a space for performers, dining and entertainment.
“The fact that I get to be a part of this and bring that light back into this building is like completely amazing to me. Being able to use my creative expression in order to be a part of this special expression is a great opportunity, and I’m really excited about it,” Lee said.
The next step is seeing what needs to be fixed and put back together and then the architect will come up with a master design to bring all the finishes.
The Florida Division of Historical Resources gave a $1 million grant to the town of Eatonville and the club’s current property owner donated $250,000 for the project.
[ad_2]
