(Eunice LaFate image)
Update: (News Journal) Adam Duvernay reports ~ Major step forward for Wilmington's African American Heritage Center
"We have a lot of historical data that has been generated over the years and we don't have a place to exhibit it," said Ronald Park, a Howard High School graduate who attended Thursday's ceremony. "We need our young people to understand our heritage. Where they were born, they know nothing about what preceded them in this city nor maybe in the entire county. It's important to me they know it wasn't always an integrated, fair city."
The Allied Kids building first was identified as a site for the museum in 1996, according to founder and executive director of the Afro-American Historical Society Harmon Carey, but the want for such a site is older still. Carey spoke at length of the long road to Thursday's ownership transfer, and others there echoed his sentiments that obtaining the property was a battle worth fighting.
"We had faith. We worked with the politicians and the city administration to make it happen. We never lost the faith to think it wouldn't happen. It just took time," said Will Young, a board member for the African American Heritage Center.
African American Heritage Center
900 N. Pine Street
Suite One
Wilmington, DE 19801
Dear Friends of African American Heritage:
You are cordially invited to attend a special signing ceremony by Mayor Dennis Williams and Mayor Jim Sills on Thursday, August 4th, 10:00 am in front of the Allied Kid Building at 11th and Clifford Brown Walk.
At this time, they will sign the legal papers turning the Allied Kid Building and several adjoining properties over to the African American Heritage Center Board to establish an Institute for African American Heritage.
We hope you will join us for this significant occasion and that you will share a copy of the attached flyer with family and friends so they can join us in witnessing this historic event.
Sincerely yours,
Harmon R. Carey
Executive Director
~*~
0 comments:
Post a Comment