Wells Buil Museum, Orlando; (c) Soul Of America
Orlando Cultural Sites
Well’s Built Museum of African American History
DESCRIPTION: Formerly called the Wells Built Hotel of 1929, when owned by Dr William Monroe Wells, Orlando’s 1st African American physician; during WWII, Dr. Wells was the only African American physician in Orlando and white physicians did not treat African American patients; he is known to hav delivered 5,000 babies in Orlando; Well’s motivation to build the hotel was to accommodate Blacks patronizing his South Street Casino during segregation; Benny Carter, Duke Ellington, Bo Diddley and Ray Charles and many other black celebrities frequented the place when on tour
ADMISSION: donations appreciated
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-5p
ADDRESS: 511 West South Street, Orlando, FL MAP
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 407-245-7535
WEBSITE: http://www.pastinc.org
Church Street Mural
DESCRIPTION: Local artist gives an insightful look at affairs in the community
ADDRESS: 400 block of West Chuch Street, Orlando, FL MAP
PARKING: on street and Church Street Station garage
Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts
DESCRIPTION: Local and national artists in this important small museum and much more; it also features student arts programs, tour guides and a newsletter; there will be even more to tour when the museum and City Hall, next door, complete planning to develop a cultural/entertainment district around the museum; Mon-Fri 9a-4p; group tours available by reservation for small fee; north of Orlando on I-4, exit at Lee Road, then an immediate left at Wymore Road, proceed north, then right on Kennedy
ADMISSION: donations appreciated
DAYS & HOURS: 9a-4p
ADDRESS: 227 East Kennedy Blvd, Eatonville, FL MAP
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 407-647-3307
WEBSITE: http://zoranealehurstonmuseum.com
Zora Neale Hurston Monument
DESCRIPTION: A rather oddly-shaped, but nonetheless honorable monument features a marker to honor Eatonville’s Daughter, Zora Neale Hurston (1890-1960); Zora was an anthropologist, folklorist in the early African American idiom, and distinguished writer during the Harlem Renaissance; a better monument is the Zora Neale Hurston Library up the street
ADDRESS: 200 East Kennedy Blvd, Eatonville, FL MAP
PARKING: on street
Astronauts Memorial Space Mirror
DESCRIPTION: dedicated in 1991 an located behind Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center, this 42.5 foot tall x 50 foot wide memorial honors astronauts who lost their lives in the line of NASA duty; Major Robert H Lawrence’s name, the first African American astronaut, was added posthumously to the mirror since he died piloting a NASA test vehicle in the 1960s; for years he was disallowed from this honor because racism prevented him from going into space; certain items are not permitted on the premises for security reasons, visit website
ADMISSION: although some attractions are free, it cost $21 to $38 depending age and option you choose to enter the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5:30p; except launch days
ADDRESS: 13 Main Street, Cape Canaveral, FL MAP
PARKING: on premises
WEBSITE: http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/visitKSC/
