FOCUS ON HONORING THE PAST • • I NSPIRING THE FUTURE t the beginning of the 21st century many challenges face our diverse and rapidly growing state. In this issue, we look at how support for Florida's cultural and historical resources contributes to the richness of our communi ties, enhances our quality of life, and makes Florida a better place for us, and future generations, to live and prosper. Florida's cultural and historical resources stimulate state and local economies, contribute to the revitalization of our communities, provide educational opportunities for Florida schoolchildren, and, by attracting heritage and cultural tour ists, contribute to the state's number one industry, tourism. Findings released in The Economic Impacts of Historic Preservation in Florida quantify the value of the state's invest ment in historic preservation. Economic Impacts represents Florida's first comprehensive effort to examine the value of maintaining and renovating historic properties and sites and legislatively funded grants in-aid to private and public projects. This report documents impressive annualized evidence of the benefits generated by over 20 years of private-public investment to preserve and restore historic properties. Florida's Visual Alts Fellowship Program celebrates its 25th anniversa1y with an exhibit that will travel statewide commemorating the contributions of Florida's artists and cultural institutions. As we celebrate Black History Month in February, we take a look at the history of Orlando's African American community, revealing the many historical and cultural institutions that tell the story of challenges faced and contributions made to the growth and development of Central Florida. The newly dedicated Florida Center of Political Histo1y and Governance in the Old Capitol confirms once again Florida's leadership role in historic preservation. In the state's restored 1902 Capitol building, a new interactive exhibit brings to life the story of Florida's unique people and her governmen tal leaders. Today's modern interpretive technology tells the story of centuries of diversity, housed within the Old Capitol, which has become an icon for Floridians and all who visit. Please join me in celebrating the success of Florida's efforts to preserve its heritage and promote the creativity and talents that create a better Florida for generations to come. Jim Smith Secretary of State SPECIAL SECTION SPONSORED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE WINTER VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1 FEATURES 6 THE FLORIDA CENTER OF POLITICAL HISTORY AND GOVERNANCE The Old Capitol, Florida's traditional center of state government, welcomes visitors as the new Florida Center of Political Hist01y and Governance. 12 THE BENEFITS OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION A new study reveals that historic preservation efforts generate Florida tourism dollars, state and local taxes, create jobs, and improve property values. By Timothy McLendon and JoAnn Klein 16 FLORIDA'S VISUAL ARTS FELLOWSHIPS For 25 years, Florida Visual Arts Fellowships have encouraged state artists. An anniversary exhibition travels statewide to celebrate the program. By Erin Long 22 ORLANDO'S AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY Behind modern Orlando's brilliant scenery lies a vibrant African American heritage. By Kerri L. Post D E P A R TMENTS INSIDE FRONT FOCUS ON COVER 2 FLORIDA IN MY VIEW 22 3 NEWS & NOTES 24 MIXED MEDIA 26 ART IN UNFAMILIAR PLACES 27 CALENDAR 29 ON A ROAD LESS TRAVELED ON THE COVER: The Old Capitol. Photo by Ray Stanyard. SPECIAL SECTION SPONSORED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE FLORIDA IN MY VIEW JESSE EARLE BOWDEN Florida History & the Arts is published quarterly by the Growing up rural in Smalltown West Florida, I inherited a sense of community and family Florida Division of Historical continuity and an appreciation of the exciting episodes of early Florida history that Resources and the Florida shaped the fast-changing, heavily populated state of the 21 st century. And during 44 Division of Cultural Affairs, years as a newspaper editor in Pensacola, I often wrote in columns, stories and in 10 Florida Department of State. books, remembrances of the strong values gained as the son of a country store mer chant in the lush redland plateau EDITOR between the Apalachicola and Susanne Hunt Chipola rivers. GRAPHIC DESIGNER This Altha dirt-road upbring Dee Dee Celander ing in the 1930s and '40s was far CONTRIBUTING WRITERS different from peninsula Florida Robert Holladay or the many other Floridas that Erin Long shape the identity oft he Sunshine CIRCULATION & MARKETING State. Yet amazingly throughout Julie Weiler Smalltown West Florida Marianna, Blountstown, Chipley, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF Quincy and in Pensacola and HISTORICAL RESOURCES Panama City-there is a now a re Janet Snyder Matthews freshing appreciation for heritage DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF and historic preservation, for res CULTURAL AFFAIRS cuing old traditional streetscapes JuDee Pettijohn and reclaiming the traditional fabric and cultural stability of the fast-fleeting past. I've encouraged this community rescue effort, seeing in Florida's historic preserva Florida History & the Arts will be tion movement a culturally rich method for urban and smalltown economic revitaliza included with the January, April, tion. I fought to establish Gulf Islands National Seashore in the public interest of saving July and October issues of Florida Pensacola harbor beaches from the onrushing clamor for wall-to-wall high-rises and off Trend. Entire contents, copyright limits privacy signs and for landmarks as a part of a natural treasure for all America. And 2003 by d1e Florida Department of as one of the pioneers of Pensacola's historic preservation movement, I've watched four State. All rights reserved. No part old crumbling neighborhoods reenergized with commerce and residential vitality sub of this magazine may be reprinted sequently become a cultural marketplace of museums and architectural landmarks that without written permission of the are now a tourist destination. publisher. This material is available We writers dwell on metaphor, analogy, searching the past, knowing the past will in altemate format upon request. remain with us and enrich the future. And Florida history is not a chain of events that was, but a seamless continuity of events that is. Preserving Florida history is woven into For comments, questions or more the need for saving the natural environment, exalting a communal sense of the cultural information, write: Florida History & the Arts arts and making our towns, crossroads and large urban populations livable places. Florida Department of State Fortunately I found these values growing up as a barefooted, shirttail boy on the Division of Historical Resources unpaved streets of Altha, a small place beside the road between the rivers. 500 Soulh Bronaugh St. Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250 phone: 1-800-847-7278 or visit: www.flheritage.com JESSE EARLE BOWDEN, editor emeritus of the Pensacola News journal, has written 10 West Florida books. He was News journal editor-in-chief for 31 years during a 44-year career as editor and editorial cartoonist with the newspaper. Known as the father of Gulf Islands National Seashore, Bowden pioneered the Historic Pensacola Preservation Board as chairman for 20 years. In 2002, Bowden received the Department of State's Mary Call Darby Collins Award for his lifetime dedication and voluntary efforts for Florida historic preservation. A native of Altha, Bowden has taught writing courses as a University of West Florida faculty associate for the last 20 years. 2 FLORIDA HISTORY & THE ARTS SPECIAL SECTION SPONSORED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE NEWS & N 0 T E S ;.'B:ROWARD couNJ\'·:HoM E::-~c>- A:i=RicAN -AMERIcAN RESEARCH LIBRARY AND CULTURAL CENTER Building Bridges and Beyond hile the recently opened African-American Research Library and Cultural Center in Broward County provides a full range of general library services to the immediate community, it also serves students and scholars as home to a significant collection of resources and special collections encompassing African, African-American and Caribbean heritages, cultures and histories. "Conceptually, I view this library as a bridge," says Broward County Library Director Samuel F. Morrison. "It is a symbol of hope-a bridge across time and cultures, and an introduction to a world in which knowledge is the true power." The 60,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility stands in the heart of Broward's historically African-American community and fea tures a 300-seat auditorium, 5,000 square feet of gallery space, computer lab and multimedia resources, lifelong learning and lit eracy programs, a small business center and genealogical research training. It is the third library of its kind in the nation, joining the distinguished Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York and the Auburn Avenue Research Library in Atlanta. Collections representing the African civilization from antiq uity to the present allow visitors to explore the history, culture, accomplishments and struggles of the African peoples. Materials include oral histories, collections and artifacts from around the world. "The special collections offer historical lessons through tan gible materials to everyone who visits the MRLCC," says Morrison. "These pieces provide glimpses into the hearts and minds of people who have made a difference in the lives of not only people of color and African culture, but people of many colors and cultures." Special collections include:e the Alex Haley Collection, Hewitt Haitian Art Collection, Fisk University Collection, Council of Elders Collection-more than 100 videotaped oral history interviews of Broward County pioneers, Charles Mills Phonograph Collection, Sixto Campano Sheet Music Collection, Kitty Oliver Oral History Collection and many more. Visit the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center at 260 Sistrunk Boulevard (N.W. 6th Street) Fort Lauderdale, call 954.765.4544 or 3 WINTER 2003 SPECIAl SECTION SPONSORED BY THE FlORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STAT E NEWS & N 0 T E S Chautauqua Festival he quiet and quaint Victorian town of DeFuniak Springs in Northwest Florida will host the Chautauqua Assembly, February 20 through 23. Over 100 events, classes and workshops bring artisans, authors, thes pians and scholars from across the country for the revival of the Chautauqua, or "winter As sembly in the Land of sum me~· The Chautauqua originated in 1884, bringing the rich and famous of its time to DeFuniak for a nine-week session. Today's Chautauqua Assembly offers lectures and performances, tours of DeFuniak's historic district, an elegant Victorian tea, and a fine arts and heritage arts show and sale featuring white oak bas ketry, bobbin lace making, chair caning, pottery and soap making. The Northwest Florida Philharmonic Strings perform Saturday evening, February 22. Many programs and events are free. For de tails, call1.800.822.6877 or visit www.chautauqua-assembly.org. AFRICAN AMERICAN PLACES ... A LEGACY TO MAINTAIN The Fifth Annual Southeast African American Heritage Preservation Conference meets in Tallahassee February 26 to March 2. Conference activities include workshops on funding opportunities, heritage promotion, the National Register nomination pro cess, legislative and Congressional issues affecting museums and cultural organiza tions, and land conservation issues and strategies for preserving African American places. Local tours include visits to the Old Lake Hall School, Tall Timbers jones Tenant-Cottage Restoration Project, Jones Hall School and the Florida Center of Political History and Governance. This biennial preservation conference is orga nized by the Southeast African American Heritage Preservation Alliance and the john G. Riley Center/Museum, and sponsored by the Florida African American Heritage Preservation Alliance Network. For registration infor mation call the Riley Center/Mu seum at 850.681.7881, or visit www .rileymuseum.org. 4 FLORIDA HISTORY & THE ARTS SPECIAL SECTION SPONSORED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE Pelican Island Celebrating a Century of Conservation A merica's Wildlife Refuge System began in 1903 when President Theodore Roosevelt signed an Executive Order requiring a small five-acre shell and-mangrove-covered island in Florida's Indian River be forever protected as a "preserve and breeding ground for native birds." What is now the National Wildlife Refuge Sys tem includes more than 530 refuges and thousands of water fowl production areas, spanning nearly 94 million acres across the United States and its territories. March 14 through 16, Pelican Island will be the focus of the nationwide Centen nial Celebration of the founding of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The celebration's theme, "One Man Made A Difference," recognizes the role of Sebastian resident Paul Kroegel who led efforts to protect Pelican Island birds from feather hunters and egg collectors. Pelican Island Credited with convincing President Roosevelt of the need to protect the pelicans and other birds ·c~t;~i~l" N G E on the island, Kroegel was hired to become America's first federal wildlife warden shortly after Pelican Island was declared a Na- tiona! Wildlife Refuge in 1903. In 1963 the island was designated a National Historic Landmark, the first National Wildlife Refuge so designated. Dedication of a "Centennial Trail" will mark the grand opening of a new facility and observation tower, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River La goon on North Jungle Trail. Pelican Island can also be viewed from tour boats and ca noe and kayak expeditions. For more information, contact the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce at 772.589.5969, the Indian River County Chamber at 772.567.3491 or visit http:/I pelicanisland.fws.gov/. WINTER 2003 5 PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY 'i TAN YARD • HI<;TORIC.AL I MACE FLORIDA STA E ARC I-IIVLS ince 1845, the Old Capitol has symbolized Florida state government. Restored to its 1902 appearance, the Old Capitol stands as an icon at the center of Florida's Capitol complex, the modern-day nerve-center of Sunshine State government. Under the 1902 dome, political history and tradition come alive in a permanent new exhibit, the Florida Center of Political History and Governance. ~ Exhibit panels, interactive audio-visuals and the restored 1902 Governor's office and chambers of the House of Representatives, Senate, Supreme Couct offer a journey through the definitive stories of representative government in Florida. More than 250 artifacts in 21 rooms invite visitors to trace the volution ofFiorida government from Territorial days (1821 -1845) to the present. ~The 1845 Greek Revival Old Capitol was the third to house Florida government. In 1839, the governor was a presiden tial appointee. Territorial Governor Richard Keith Call requested and received $20,000 in Congressional funds to con struct a "public building." The Florida Terri orial Legislature authorized construction of a new Capitol. Cary W. Butt, architect with. .t he firm of Charles Dakin and Brother in Mobile, Alabama, designed the structure. ~ Butt designed a three-story brick building covered with concrete and entered through a six-columned portico on the second floor. Richard A. Shine, an elected member of the Territorial Legislature and Tallahassee City Coun cil, oversaw construction. Shine modified Butt's plans by substituting the Ionic columns with Doric. In 1841, depleted construction funds forced both houses of the Legislature to convene in the southern wing of the building because the northern wing lacked a roof. As Florida neared the requirements of statehood in 1844, Congress appropriated an additional $20,000 for completion. Butt's architectural design stood the test of time, serving as the functional and aesthetic heart of the Capitol through 157 years of expansion, modernization and restoration. President McKinley's party arrives from the railroad depot, at the east side of the Capitol, March 24, 1899. PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY 'i TAN YARD • HI<;TORIC.AL I MACE FLORIDA STA E ARC I-IIVLS ince 1845, the Old Capitol has symbolized Florida state government. Restored to its 1902 appearance, the Old Capitol stands as an icon at the center of Florida's Capitol complex, the modern-day nerve-center of Sunshine State government. Under the 1902 dome, political history and tradition come alive in a permanent new exhibit, the Florida Center of Political History and Governance. ~ Exhibit panels, interactive audio-visuals and the restored 1902 Governor's office and chambers of the House of Representatives, Senate, Supreme Couct offer a journey through the definitive stories of representative government in Florida. More than 250 artifacts in 21 rooms invite visitors to trace the volution ofFiorida government from Territorial days (1821 -1845) to the present. ~The 1845 Greek Revival Old Capitol was the third to house Florida government. In 1839, the governor was a presiden tial appointee. Territorial Governor Richard Keith Call requested and received $20,000 in Congressional funds to con struct a "public building." The Florida Terri orial Legislature authorized construction of a new Capitol. Cary W. Butt, architect with. .t he firm of Charles Dakin and Brother in Mobile, Alabama, designed the structure. ~ Butt designed a three-story brick building covered with concrete and entered through a six-columned portico on the second floor. Richard A. Shine, an elected member of the Territorial Legislature and Tallahassee City Coun cil, oversaw construction. Shine modified Butt's plans by substituting the Ionic columns with Doric. In 1841, depleted construction funds forced both houses of the Legislature to convene in the southern wing of the building because the northern wing lacked a roof. As Florida neared the requirements of statehood in 1844, Congress appropriated an additional $20,000 for completion. Butt's architectural design stood the test of time, serving as the functional and aesthetic heart of the Capitol through 157 years of expansion, modernization and restoration. President McKinley's party arrives from the railroad depot, at the east side of the Capitol, March 24, 1899. featured a reflecting pool where the Old Capitol stood. Demolition seemed certain as the east fa~ade of the new Capitol rose only a few inches from the old. Meanwhile, the 1972 legislative en dorsement of the new Capitol stipulated a delay of any decision regarding the fate of the Old Capitol. With demolition immi nent, Senate President Jerry Thompson sued Governor Askew and the Cabinet. When the Florida Supreme Court ruled the building could not be destroyed without legislative approval, Secretary of State Bruce Smathers (1975-1978) helped lead a petition drive to convince legislators to save the Old Capitol. Smathers refused to evacuate the Secretaty of State's office in the Old Capitol and was evicted when In surance Commissioner Bill Gunter de clared the Old Capitol a firetrap. In 1976, Governor Askew and the Cabinet in structed Stone to propose several options. Each of four Old Capitol restoration alter natives involved some demolition. More than a year of consideration and a "Save the Old Capitol" movement encouraged Askew, Smathers and legislative leaders to arrive at a resolution. 1845 1902 lorida was appropriation of $75,000. Retaining much panded by two more wings added to admitted to the Union on arch 3, 1845, of the original woodwork, Milburn en the east and west elevations. On the entering as a slave state paired by Con closed 24 fireplaces, installed a steam north and south sides, further expan gressional requirements with Iowa, a radiator system, added indoor plumbing sion took place in 1936 and 1947. free state. The first official ceremony at and covered the 1845 plasterwork. New Supreme Court Justice Harold the <;:apitol on Jun 25, 1845, was the east and west porticoes featured tym Sebring chaired a 1950s commission rec inauguration of William D. Moseley, pana representing the state seal. ommending the construction of a new Florida's first governor elected by the Under a neo-Classical dome, Milburn Capitol. A design by New York archi voting populace. placed a multicolored interior stained tect Edward Durrell Stone in associa The building's appearance changed glass dome. Electricity was new and tion with the Jacksonville architectural frequently. The exterior was painted available only from private sources six firm of Reynolds, Smith and Hills was white, then off-white, and during the hours a day. Milburn installed brass light approved in 1972 by the Governor, Cabi Civil War, sandstone red. In 1891 a new fixtures featuring both electric bulbs and net and Legislature. Lying within the roof and cupola were added. In 1902, gas lamps in order to illuminate the gov footprint of the new Capitol complex, 33-year-old Frank Pierce Milburn, an ernmental workday. The renovated Capi the fate of the Old Capitol was uncer Arkansas native, one of the nation's tol was dedicated December 10, 1902. tain. The Governor, Speaker of the most prominent architects, was com In 1913, the State Supreme Court re House, and other legislators argued that missioned for renovation and expan located to a new courthouse, but by the Old Capitol would detract from the sion funded by a legislative 1923, the overcrowded Capitol was ex- new, and was too costly. The design 8 WINTER 2003 FLORIDA HISTORY & THE ARTS