Monday, October 8, 2012

Black Bahamian descendants from Miami tour historic Lake Worth, Florida

On Thursday, October 4, 2012, the non-profit Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History (MLFH) hosted a private Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida for 32 (mostly retired) professional African Americans from Miami. These professional African Americans are school principals, teachers, librarians, nurses, social workers, bankers, beauty parlor owners and funeral parlor owners. They represent the black elite of Miami. And, they are descendants of black Bahamian settlers in Miami.  A total of 10 places were visited for their tour.   The tour got it's jump start with exclusive private shopping hosted at Macy's in Boynton Beach and with pastries sponsored by Palermo's Bakery of Boynton Beach, FL.

October 4, 2012, private shopping was hosted at Macy's Boynton Beach, Florida for Miami's black elite who visited Palm Beach County, Florida for a tour of historic Lake Worth, Florida
 
Back in February 2012, MLFH hosted a private Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth for a black travel club that also consisted of retired African American professionals from Miami. They had an enjoyable experience and have shared good news throughout the City of Miami about their visit to historic Lake Worth which is how the group who visited on October 4th heard about this MLFH tour program to Lake Worth.

The group of 32 professional African Americans who visited on Thursday, October 4, 2012, are members from two historic black Bahamian churches in Miami: the Church of the Incarnation and St. Agnes Episcopal Church.

St. Agnes was established in 1898 in Miami, Florida by black Bahamian settlers becoming the first black Episcopal church in Miami. St. Agnes boasts a membership of nearly 2,000 people making it the largest Episcopal church in South Florida and one of the largest in the State of Florida. The St. Agnes church building encompasses an entire city block. St. Agnes’ members represent some of the most notable African American professionals and black elected officials in South Florida. The other Episcopal church is the Church of the Incarnation in Miami (sister church to St. Agnes) which is 63 years old and has a large membership of 500 people. Both of these church members partnered for their excursion to Lake Worth. Their tour in Lake Worth included visits to the 1927  St. John’s Episcopal Church in the historic black Lake Osborne Addition neighborhood; and the 1913 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in the Parrot Cove Neighborhood in Lake Worth. Plus, they met African American Artists Edna Jones and George Taylor at the Lake Worth Art League Gallery; and African American artist Anthony Burks, Sr. at the Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery.  The galleries are located in the arts district in Downtown Lake Worth, FL.   Refreshing smoothies were provided at The Juice Bar. The tour guests also met Lake Worth Centennial Chairperson Betty Resch and Lake Worth author/historian Ted Brownstein.

What is also important to know is that the professional black Bahamians who toured Lake Worth on October 4th are descendants of the black Bahamians who helped to build Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway extension to Miami and Flagler’s Royal Palm Hotel in Miami. These black Bahamians (who were their grandparents) arrived in Miami, Florida in the late 1890s and early 1900s via a “contract” to work on Flagler’s train. The black Bahamians came from Nassau, Freeport, St. Andros, Cat Island, Long Island and New Providence in the Bahamas and some of the black Bahamians came from Key West, Florida.
 
The special guests from Miami met, were greeted by and received warm welcomes from Lake Worth Commissioners Andy Amoroso; and Scott Maxwell.  Florida House of Representatives Lori Berman sent a wonderful welcome letter.

"The schedule of the tour experience was excellent.  We could not have had a better tour guide," said Marilyn Randall of the black elite group from Miami.

The tour guests from Miami at Macy's Boynton Beach.
 
Angela Mitchell of Macy's greeted tour guests from Miami
 
Macy's Boynton Beach hosted private shopping for the African American professionals from Miami's Church of the Incarnation and St. Agnes.
 
Tour guests shopping at Macy's Boynton Beach, Florida
  
Black professionals from Miami shopped at Macy's Boynton Beach for their tour in Palm Beach County, Florida
 
Tour guests from Miami shopped at Macy's Boynton Beach, Florida
  
Angela Mitchell of Macy's Boynton Beach with Tour Director Lori
 
Mr. Zander (left), who, in the 1980s,  was the 7th grade teacher for  MLFH Tour Director Lori (right). Mr. Zander is now a top-selling sales associate in the Men's department at Macy's Boynton Beach
 
With Macy's shopping bags in hand, tour guests board bus for trip to historic Lake Worth, Florida
  
Father Joseph of St. John's Episcopal Church welcomed the church members from the Church of the Incarnation and St. Agnes in Miami for their tour of Lake Worth, Florida. 
 
George Glinton shared the history of St. John's Episcopal which was established in the Lake Osborne Addition neighborhood in Lake Worth by black Bahamian settlers to Lake Worth, FL.  Mr. Glinton is a descendant of the black Bahamian founders of the Lake Worth church.  The School District of Palm Beach County also used this church building as the 2nd Lake Worth home for the "Colored" school for children of African American heritage during the era of legal segregation.
  
MLFH Tour Director Lori with Archibald Theodore Morris who is an elder at St. John's Episcopal Church.
 
St. John's Episcopal Church elder Archibald Theodore Morris welcomed the black professionals from Miami.

Archibald Theodore Morris shared the history of the historic Big Red Bell with the black professionals who were visiting from Miami.   The bell dates back to about year 1908 and was originally the bell used by the West Palm Beach Fire Department.  When the fire department no longer had any use for the bell, St. John's Episcopal paid $100 to have the bell transported to their property in the Lake Osborne Addition.  In the olden days (before the telephone, TV, cellular phone and the internet), bell communication was very important because the bell was rung or tolled to alert to community with a particular message (i.e. birth, wedding, death, emergency, etc.).
    
Members of the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation of Miami viewed the Big Red Bell which weights about 2 tons located at St. John's Episcopal Church in the Lake Osborne Addition neighborhood in Lake Worth, Florida.

MLFH Tour Director Lori J. Durante with members of the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation of Miami viewing the Big Red Bell located at St. John's Episcopal Church in the Lake Osborne Addition neighborhood in Lake Worth, Florida.  Lake Osborne Addition was once Lake Osborne "Colored" Addition that was settled around 1917 by black Bahamians.  In 1999, the City of Lake Worth removed the reference "Colored" from fron the Lake Osborne name on the City's plat map as it was deemed derrogatory.

Tours guests from Miami marvel at the Big Red Bell located at the historic St. John's Episcopal Church located in the Lake Osborne Addition in Lake Worth.
 
 
The black professionals from Miami arrived at Grant AME Chapel in the Lake Osborne Addition neighborhood in Lake Worth.  Grant AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Chapel was established in 1922 and is the oldest black church in Lake Worth, FL. The church organization originated in the neighboring Town of Lantana, Florida 
 
Rev. Rosetta Clark of Grant AME Chapel provided a thorough lecture about the in-depth history of Grant AME Chapel located in the historic black neighborhood Lake Osborne Addition in Lake Worth.  Grant's church building served as the first Lake Worth home for the "Colored" School operated by the School District of Palm Beach County, FL.

Rev. Rosetta Clark with black professionals from the Espicopal Church of the Incarnation and St. Agnes in Miami who were visiting Grant AME Chapel, the oldest black church in Lake Worth, FL
 
Ms. Trudy Lowe with students at the Osborne School hold a welcome sign for the black professionals from Miami who were touring historic Lake Worth, FL.  The Osborne School was built in 1947 as the "colored" school for African American children and served grades 1st thru 8th during legal segregation.

The black elite professionals, many of whom are retired teachers, received a tour of the Osborne School building which is now a Head Start school in Lake Worth. The children read stories to the black professionals visiting from St. Agnes and the Church of the Incarnation in Miami.

The black professionals, many of whom are retired teachers, received a tour of the Osborne School building which is now a Head Start school in Lake Worth.  The children read stories to the black professionals visiting from St. Agnes and the Church of the Incarnation in Miami.

During the visit to the Osborne School, Mr. Julius Jones, who is a native of Lake Worth, shared comprehensive history about the area during legal segregation.  He later became the first black teacher at Barton Elementary.

The Lake Worth Muncipal Pier under renovation.  The tour bus made a loop around the beach where there is renovation construction on the beach, casino and pier. According research done by Willie Howard of The Palm Beach Post, the Municipal Pier in the City of Lake Worth is named in honor of William O. Lockhart, a black Bahamian man and farmer who died in 2003. Before his passing, Lockhart was also the pier master.

The black professionals from St. Agnes Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Miami received an enthusiastic welcome and historical overview at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Lake Worth which established in 1913 by pioneers to Lake Worth.
 
Father Rasmus, Rector at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in the Parrot Cove Neighborhood in Lake Worth, FL, welcomed the black professional tour guests from Miami's St. Agnes and Church of the Incarnation and shared history about St. Andrew's.  St. Andrew's lost their original building in the 1928 hurricane but re-built in 1929.
 
The black professionals from Miami were greeted by Lake Worth artist George Taylor  at the Lake Worth Art League Gallery located in the LULA Arts District in Downtown Lake Worth, FL.

The Lake Worth Art League Gallery is one of the oldest continuous art leagues in Palm Beach County.  The tour guests from the St. Agnes church and Church of the Incarnation in Miami received a tour of the art gallery and met some of the African American artists.

Tara Maule, President of the Lake Worth Art League welcomed the black professionals from the St. Agnes and Church of the Incarnation in Miami.

Art work by Lake Worth Art League artist Edna Jones on view for the MLFH tour hosted for the black professionals from Miami.

Edna Jones, artist with the Lake Worth Art League Gallery located in the LULA Arts District in Downtown Lake Worth, FL

The black professionals from Miami purchased gift cards created by local artist at the Lake Worth Art League Gallery in Downtown Lake Worth, Florida

Lake Worth Art League Gallery artist Edna Jones ( Left) with tour guest from Miami

Black professional tour guests from Miami in Downtown Lake Worth on their way to The Juice Bar and a greeting from Lake Worth City Commissioner Andy Amoroso.

Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso (center) greeted the tour guests from the St. Agnes and the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation of Miami who were touring historic Lake Worth on the Narrated Bus Tour conducted by MLFH.

Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso display the LULA Map to the tour guests from Miami who all received a copy of the map.

The Juice Bar in downtown Lake Worth provided  smoothie drinks for the black professionals from Miami

Group photo!  Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso with the black professionals from St. Agnes Church and Church of the Incarnation of Miami who toured historic Lake Worth on the MLFH Narrated Bus Tour.


Joyce Brown, President of the Lake Worth Downtown Cultural Alliance, at the Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery holding the front door open for the black professionals from Miami

Tour guests arrive at the Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery in Downtown Lake Worth, Florida

L-R: Artists George Taylor, Anthony Burks, Sr. and Joyce Brown a the Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery in Downtown Lake Worth.  Anthony Burks, Sr. gave a lecture about his exhibition Boys II Men to the black professional MLFH tour guests from Miami

Lake Worth Commissioner Scott Maxwell (center) welcomes the Miami residents for their MLFH tour of historic Lake Worth, Florida

Scott Maxwell ( right) greeted the black professionals from the St. Agnes Episcopal Church and the Church of the Incarnation of Miami.

Betty Resch, Chairman of the Lake Worth Centennial welcomed the tour guests from Miami who were visiting historic Lake Worth, Florida

Ted Brownstein shared historical data about the negro Seminole Fannie James who settled in Lake Worth in 1883 before the town was incorporated in 1913. Brownstein is writing a book about Fannie James.

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce in Lake Worth welcomed the black professionals from Miami by gifting them each with a copy of the book Lake Worth: Jewel of the Gold Coast written by Jonathan W. Koontz

For more information about a private Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth or a Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Delray Beach, Florida, call 561-243-2662 or click here.

Special thank you Macy's, the Patricia Ann Ravo Fund; and the Boris & Edith Rueger Fund.
 
About the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History

The Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History was established in 1999 and is non-profit 501c3. Since 2004, the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History (MLFH) has conducted the Narrated Bus Tours of Historic Delray Beach, Florida that have been rated the “best” and also the Most Unique Travel Gem by AAA Travel Home & Away Magazine. More than 7,000 passengers have been hosted on the hugely popular Narrated Bus Tours of Historic Delray Beach. In 2012, MLFH expanded its Narrated Bus Tour program to include historic Lake Worth. In addition, on the second, third and fourth Saturdays of each month, MLFH conducts the Taste History Culinary Tours of Historic Palm Beach County which visits historic Lake Worth & Lantana; and historic Delray Beach & Boynton Beach, FL. These tour programs were designed by Lori J. Durante, founder and Executive Director of the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History. The Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History was established in 1999 and is a non-profit 501c3 organization.

For more information, call 561-243-2662 or visit MLFHMUSEUM.org.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Polish News Agency features Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History, and Iris Apfel

The Polish Press Agency (PAP) in the country of Poland has published an editorial about the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History regarding a profile about the celebrated style doyenne Iris Apfel. The PAP is Poland's news agency and it was established in year 1918. PAP publishes a range of news stories about politics, style and culture.
 
The english translation of the news story title is "Elderly Star of New York."  
 
Here's the story in the Polish language:
 

 
 
Sędziwa gwiazda Nowego Jorku ("The Elderly Star of New York")
August 21, 2012
Polish News Agency
PAP Life
by Kaja Cudak

Najstarsza modelka, stylistka i projektantka na świecie wzięła udział w tegorocznym the Accessories Show w Nowym Jorku. Pomimo sędziwego wieku Iris Apfel nie boi się ekstrawagancji.
Apfel wielokrotnie wspomina, że prawdziwa moda nie patrzy na wiek, ale zawsze obecne są w niej żywe kolory, fantazja w doborze tkanin i krojów oraz dodatki - czego nauczyła ją matka, wzór szyku dla przyszłej prekursorki mody.

 Iris Apfel (ur. 1921) studiowała historię sztuki, przez lata pracowała w rodzinnej firmie sprowadzającej materiały dla domów mody. Rozgłos Apfel zyskała jako stylistka i projektantka wnętrz, jako jedyna kobieta zaprojektowała wnętrza Białego Domu dla kolejnych dziewięciu prezydentów.

W 2011 roku 90-latka zszokowała świat pojawiając się w kampanii reklamowej kosmetyków marki M.A.C jako projektantka i modelka. Jej styl to duże okulary, proste stroje w soczystych barwach, duża i ekstrawagancka biżuteria, mocne kolory szminek.

Iris Apfel szczególnie docenił jej rodzinny Nowy Jork. Fenomen projektantki stał się tematem wystawy w Metropolitan Museum of Art (2005 ); obecnie trwają przygotowania do otwarcia galerii poświęconej Iris Apfel w Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History w Boynton Beach.(PAP Life)


(L-R) Lori J. Durante, Executive Director/Chief Curator of the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History in Palm Beach County, Florida with Iris Apfel.
Back in year 2008, the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History hosted the Palm Beach Style Luncheon to honor Iris Apfel.
 
The Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History is a non-profit 501c3 organization.  Donations are greatly appreciated to support the Museum's programming and efforts for a permanent building.  Click here to make a donation in any amount.   For information about giving levels, go here.
 
Donations can be made payable to Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History and mailed to P.O. Box 6127, Delray Beach, FL 33482.
 
On the second, third and fourth Saturdays of each month, year-round, MLFH hosts the Taste History Culinary Tours of Historic Palm Beach County sponsored by Macy's For more information, visit TasteHistoryCulinaryTours.blogspot.com.
 

MLFH also hosts the annual Children & Parents Day event that is sponsored by Target.

Call: 561-243-2662.
 
LIKE MLFH on Facebook.

Special thank you for support from the Patricia Ann Ravo Fund and the Boris & Edith Rueger Fund.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Children & Parents Day 2012 was a Colorful Experience sponsored by Target

The Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Seventh Annual Children & Parents Day  celebrated National Find-A-Rainbow Day on Sunday, April 1, 2012. The family event was sponsored by Target.  The following are photos from the brightly colored fun-filled day.


Children & Parents Day Kid Ambassador Cephanie at the 2012 Children & Parents Day Celebrating National Find-A-Rainbow Day

Rainbow decor installation for the 2012 Children & Parents Day Celebrating National Find-A-Rainbow Day

The activities for the event were Rainbow-themed gardening activities, storybook reading, various arts and crafts stations and rainbow glitter tattoos as well as Easter Crafts. The American Heritage School of Boca/Delray and their students in the Science National Honor Society conducted a rainbow-making activity. There was also a live Magic Rainbow Show by Colonel Mufflefoot Buffington, III.
The Juice Bar of Lake Worth provided Rainbow colored Smoothies made on-site at the event using organic fruits and vegetables
Andy Amoroso, owner of the The Juice and a Lake Worth City Commissioner, conducted a workshop about the healthy benefits of fruits and vegetables used to make his smoothies
Target Team members helped to set-up the arts and craft stations for the 7th annual Children & Parents.
The purpose of this festive program is to provide a fun-filled day of family adventures with arts, crafts and history education activities and nutrition learning for children. The arts and crafts at the event helped to encourage motor-skill development.

Students from American Heritage School of Boca/Delray volunteered at the arts & crafts stations for the 2012 Children & Parents Day

Families enjoyed the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's 2012 Children & Parents Day which celebrated National  Find-A-Rainbow Day

Children & Parents Day Committee member Skyler Carosella with her cousin at the 2012 Rainbow Day celebration.

Various Rainbow-themed arts and crafts were offered at the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's 7th annual Children & Parents Day

Happy Easter.  The Bird's Nest craft was a popular activity at the 7th annual Children & Parents Day

Target Team member helps kid make arts and craft

Bird's Nest arts and craft at 2012 Children & Parents Day

Decorating Rainbow sunglasses and Easter Bunny bags were among the activities for the 2012 Children & Parents Day

Hat decorating using Rainbow colors at the Children & Parents Day 2012

The Carosella family at the 2012 Children & Parents Day hosted by the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History


The Rainbow Clown (Colonel Mufflefoot Buffington, III (center)) performed a Rainbow activity and magic show for the 7th annual Children & Parents Day

The Rainbow Clown (Colonel Mufflefoot Buffington, III) greeted families at the 7th annual Children & Parents Day

The Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's 7th annual Children & Parents Day celebrated National Find-A-Rainbow Day which was held at the historic 1926 building for the Boynton Woman's Club.

Rainbow colored Zinnia flowers were planted for the gardening activity

Kids used Rainbow colored crayons to decorate their flower pots for Children & Parents Day that was held on Sunday, April 1, 2012

Students from American Heritage School of Boca/Delray volunteered at the Gardening station for the 7th annual Children & Parents Day

Children & Parents Day Kid Ambassador William receives help at the Gardening station from a student from American Heritage School of Boca/Delray.
Rainbow glitter tatoos at the 7th annual Children & Parents Day which celebrated National Find-A-Rainbow Day
Some of the committee members for the 2012 Children & Parents Day. L-R: Carmen Sanchez, Lori J. Durante and Cheryl Moffett
Event committee member Carmen Sanchéz had this to say about Rainbow Day "...Just wanted to say thank you, we had a great time! (My daughter) Cephi can't stop talking about it!"

Front: Children & Parents Day Kid Ambassadors Cephanie and Willow. Back Row/L-R:  Children & Parents Day committee members Carmen Sanchez and Lori J. Durante with Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso who is also the owner of The Juice Bar which provided smoothies for the Rainbow Day event.

Smoothies from The Juice Bar at the 7th annual Children & Parents Day hosted by the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History

While and Koriah at the 7th annual Children & Parents Day.

Children of all ages attended the April 1st Children & Parents Day which celebrated National Find-A-Rainbow Day

Student from American Heritage volunteered at the arts and crafts stations for the 7th annual Children & Parents Day

The Science department of American Heritage School of Boca/Delray conducted the Density Rainbow Science project using everyday household products.

Ms. Cavallo who is the Science Department Chair at American School of Boca/Delray is holding a rainbow created by her students from the National Science Honor Society













Palermo's Bakery of Boynton Beach sponsored the Rainbow Cake dessert for the 7th annual Children & Parents Day.

Other supporters for the 2012 Children & Parents Day were the Patricia Ann Ravo Fund, Boris & Edith Rueger Fund, the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club and US 1 AC Self Storage.  Souvenir photos were sponsored by Thru The Lens Images.
Thank you to all the sponsors and committee members!
Support is greatly appreciated for the Museum's children's programs.  Monetary donations in any amount will be helpful.  To make a tax deductible donation on-line click here.  Check donations can be made payable to the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History can be mailed to P.O. Box 6127, Delray Beach, FL  33482.
The Museum is a non-profit 501c3 organization as designated by the IRS.
For more information, call: 561-243-2662 or e-mail: info@mlfhmuseum.org
Click LIKE for MLFH's Facebook Page.