Jacksonville, FL

Edward Waters College
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1866, this HBCU was Florida's first Independent institution of higher learning for African Americans; the restored Centennial Hall was built in 1916 under the leadership of Rev. R.L. Brown to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the AME church; the campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites

ADDRESS: 1658 Kings Road

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Ritz Theater & LaVilla Museum
DESCRIPTION: The Mecca for African American culture and heritage in all of Florida; Ritz Theater was designed in 1929 by local architect Jefferson Powell in the Art Deco style; from the 1930s thru 1960s this theater jammed with Ray Charles and many other artists who worked the Chitlin Circuit; the renovated theater seats 400 and a large stage for a variety of movies, music, dance and theatrical productions; joined at the hip is the recently opened LaVilla Museum which features an eye-catching mix African and African American cultural exhibits; one half of the 11,000 sq. ft museum is dedicated historical exhibits of LaVilla and northeast Florida- its begins with the antebellum period when the area derived its name from the plantation called “LaVilla”; the other half of the museum features rotating local and national exhibits on tour that are certain please; the award-winning Ritz Voices all-city youth chorus founded by Deborah McDuffie features young vocalists ages 10-21 who have performed with celebrities Peabo Bryson, Oleta Adams and Gerald Alston

ADMISSION:small fee varies by event

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: 825 West Davis Street  MAP

PARKING: on street

PHONE: 904-632-5555

WEBSITE: http://www.ritzlavilla.org

Masonic Temple
DESCRIPTION: opened in 1913 for the Free and Accepted Masons of Florida, Colored its architectural elements resemble the Louis H. Sullivan style; years ago, it was a larger focal point for commercial and fraternal activities in the hisotrically black community of LaVilla; Anderson Bank, the earliest Black bank in Jacksonville, at one time occupied the ground level; today this distinctive structure on the National Register of Historic Buildings
is headquarters for the Prince Hall Masons of Florida, Grand East District

ADMISSION: must be invited

DAYS & HOURS: by appt

ADDRESS: 410 Broad Street  MAP

PARKING: on street and lot across the street

PHONE: 904-354-2368

WEBSITE: http://www.mwuglflorida.org

LaVilla School of the Arts
DESCRIPTION: A magnet middle school built in the heart of historic Black Jacksonville offers a full academic program for gifted, advanced, and standard children in the arts and creative writing; contains two theatres, dance studios, instrumental and vocal suites, a piano lab and visual arts labs; the school also hosts plays and musicals

ADMISSION: school enrollment

DAYS & HOURS: by appt

ADDRESS: 501 North Davis Streets   MAP

PARKING: on street

PHONE: 904-633-6069

WEBSITE: http://www.duvalschools.org/LaVilla