The Spady Museum in Delray Beach serves as a reminder of Palm Beach County’s Black history.
The home was built by Solomon Spady, a black educator who had his hand in a little bit of everything.
“When they needed support: civic support, financial support, educational support, Mr. Spady was here to provide that support,” said Charlene Farrington, the museum’s executive director.
Spady’s legacy of education continues as his home is now a museum.
“Spady Museum offers a diverse coverage of black history. Spady covers jazz, an era that represented civil rights activism with the compliments of actual entertainment,” said Gillian Ebanks Knowles, a member of the museum’s board.
The rich history of Delray Beach’s black community has inspired its Executive Director Charlene Farrington.
“The amount of history and black history this organization has collected amazed me and I wanted to promise that no more would any child matriculate through Palm Beach County schools without at least being aware of the rich black history,” said Farrington.
She teaches people any way she can.
“You have to go to where they are, wherever they gather, and for whatever reason, there’s always a way to work history into that gathering,” said Farrington.
Why is teaching the community about Delray’s past so important to the museum?
“We do not celebrate enough the contributions of African Americans that are both artistic, educational, just mainstream contributions to society,” said Knowles.
“I want people to acknowledge and involve themselves with, learn about, and seek out black history all year round,” said Farrington.
Because at the end of the day:
“Black history is American history,” said Farrington.
The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
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