Preserving Black History in Palm Beach County
The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum continues to be part of Delray Beach’s rich cultural heritage. Its mission is to preserve and highlight the history of Black settlement in Palm Beach County. Through its exhibits, events, and community engagement, the museum educates the public and allows visitors to foster a deeper understanding of the county’s diverse heritage.
“Spady Museum’s staff advocate for the preservation of buildings, objects, and oral histories that verify the existence of Black people and their experiences in Palm Beach County,” said Charlene Farrington, Executive Director of The Spady Museum. “With these things, we create public programming that shares this information with residents and visitors, specifically focusing on children (people under 18).”
Educational Programs: Empowering Youth with Knowledge
Through its exhibits, events, and community engagement, the museum is dedicated to educating the public about the experiences, contributions, and lasting impact of African-American communities in Palm Beach County.
“The legacy of the elders of the Spady Museum is education. George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, Solomon D. Spady, C. Spencer Pompey, Vera R. Farrington. Each of them dedicated their lives to educating generations with a special emphasis on knowing their own histories to promote positive self-worth,” said Farrington. “The board and staff of the Spady Museum is continuing the legacy.”
Strengthening Community Partnerships: Spady Museum & CRA
The museum’s role as a community has been further strengthened by its partnership with the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) through the A-G.U.I.D.E (Achieving Goals Using Impact Driven Evaluation) Grant Program.
“The CRA Redevelopment Plan’s objective to provide more and higher quality cultural & educational opportunities creates a nurturing environment for the Spady Museum’s educational objective,” said Farrington. “That environment includes professional staff and safe and well-maintained facilities.”
“Every program and event hosted by the Spady Museum is family-oriented and includes youth participants and/or enriching activities for children,” said Farrington. “Additionally, field trips to historical locations (this program is known as the Cultural Leadership Academy) for children in-school and out-of-school (after-school programs, church groups, summer camps, etc.) have been ongoing since 1999, before the museum opened in the Spady House. Spady’s Black History Study Palm Beach County program is a Black History Curriculum designed for middle and high school children and is offered on-site and in West Palm Beach.”
Educational Programs: Empowering Youth with Knowledge
The program supports neighborhood sustainability, quality of life, and economic development through a public-private partnership. The CRA improves infrastructure and supports nonprofits like the Spady Museum.
“Identifying the void where recognition of the Black community should be, the Spady Museum hosts celebrations of national holidays and recognition of important dates in history related to the Black community,” said Farrington. “These include the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Black History Month, Emancipation in Florida, Juneteenth, Kwanzaa.”
The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum’s partnership with the CRA exemplifies how nonprofits play a valuable role in preserving the past while educating youth and community members. By continuing to engage in cultural, historical, and artistic programming, the Spady Museum ensures that Delray Beach’s Black history remains alive for generations.
