African American Research Library & Cultural Center of Palm Beach County, Inc.
"Until the Lions have their Historian,
the Tale of the Hunt will continue to Glorify the Hunter." - an African Proverb
OUR HISTORY
The group came to the conclusion that there should be an entity in West Palm Beach to preserve the rich heritage of Palm Beach County’s African American communities. The consensus was the entity would be the historic black Roosevelt High School facility. The desire is to house and display valuable artifacts, such as Mrs. Ineria e. Hudnell and others collections, while providing support and educational assistance for future generations.
OUR FEATURES & GOALS
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AARLCC will function as an educational library/museum designed to discover, collect, and preserve all materials, especially source materials pertaining to the history of African Americans, as well as the rich and colorful history of the African diaspora in Palm Beach County.
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AARLCC will establish and maintain a facility that safeguard, protect, and display historically relevant materials.
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AARLCC will ensure the realization of educational goals for area youth and adults by providing opportunities for students and residents to be exposed to research information and technology.
"ReClaiming the Past to ReBuild the Future"
Video from School Board of Palm Beach County, FL
The Challenge of Preserving Our Culture . . .
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While the African American community is no longer visible, the African American Research Library and Cultural Center of Palm Beach County, Inc. is taking steps to ensure the preservation of Palm Beach County's African American Culture.
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It is crucial that more of African American's past make it into a cultural repository.
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As the African American community diversifies, it is crucial to find mechanisms and opportunities to maintain our sense of community.
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Museums, archives, and libraries not only preserve culture, but they legitimize it. Therefore, it is important for African Americans to work with cultural institutions to preserve their families' photography, documents, and objects.
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As some families lose the connection with their southern roots, it is important that we understand our common heritage and history.
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The common nature of African American lives has provided substance, guidance, and comfort for generations.
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Although our communities are now quite diverse, it is our common heritage that continues to hold us together.
Mrs. Ineria E. Hudnell
Mrs. Ineria E. Hudnell
Mrs. Ineria E. Hudnell was born in Jacksonville, Florida. She graduated from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida in 1943 with a major in English, French, and Art Education. She moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 1944 and joined the faculty at Washington Elementary School. The following year, she joined the faculty at Industrial High School which in 1950 later became Roosevelt High School.
After decades of teaching, she retired in 1978 and began her work as the Keeper of "Palm Beach County's Black History."
Mrs. Hudnell compiled more than 400 items on poster boards of newspaper clippings, photographs, and memorabilia that documented more than 100 years of Black History.
In 1982, she began travelling with the exhibit devoting much of her time to enriching students and residents about Black History which had been invisible to many.
The exhibit has been displayed at various schools, businesses, and many functions and events throughout
Palm Beach County and within the State of Florida.
Preservation of
Mrs. Hudnell's Collection
Preservation of
Mrs. Hudnell's Collection
AARLCC of PBC member
Earl Hudnell , Mrs. Hudnell's son, was interviewed by WPTV concerning preserving Mrs. Hudnell's Collection.
Preserving & Presenting the History and Culture of the African American Communities in Palm Beach County
Preserving & Presenting the History and Culture of the African American Communities in Palm Beach County
AARLCC of Palm Beach County, Inc. was established to provide a depository for educational, scientific, cultural and literary materials pertaining to
African American Communities
in Palm Beach County, Inc.