Florida women's heritage trail

36 Pages·2001·3.6 MB·English

by  Florida. Department of State, Division of Historical Resources.

A
Florida Heritag
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Florida Association of Museums
The Florida raises the visibility of muse-
Women's ums in the state and serves as
Heritage Trail a liaison between museums
^ '/"'^Vm
was pro- and government.
duced in FAM is managed by a board of
cooperation
directors elected by the mem-
with the
bership, which is representa-
Florida
tive of the spectrum of mu-
Association
seum disciplines in Florida.
Museums
of FAM
has succeeded in provid-
(FAM). The
ing numerous economic,
Florida
educational and informational
Association ofMuseums is a benefits for its members.
nonprofit corporation, estab-
lished for educational pur- Florida Association of
Museums
poses. It provides continuing
education and networking Post Office Box 10951
opportunities for museum Tallahassee, Florida 32302-2951
professionals, improves the Phone: [phone]
level of professionalism within FAX: [phone]
the museum community, www.flamuseums.org Contact the Florida Associa-
serves as a resource for infor- tion of Museums for a compli-
mation on Florida's museums. mentary copy of "See The
World!"
Credits
Author: Nina McGuire
The section on Florida Women's Clubs (pages 29 to 31) is derived from the National RegisterofHistoric Places
nominationpreparedby DeLand historianSidneyJohnston.
GraphicDesign: Jonathan Lyons, Lyons Digital Media, Tallahassee.
Special thanks to Ann Kozeliski, AKozeliski Design, Tallahassee,
and Steve Little, Division ofHistorical Resources, Tallahassee.
Photography: Ray Stanyard, Tallahassee; Michael Zimny and Phillip M. Pollock, DivisionofHistorical Resources;
Pat Canova and Lucy Beebe/Silver Image;Jim Stokes; HistoricTours ofAmerica, Inc., KeyWest; The KeyWest
Chamber ofCommerce;Jacksonville Planning and DevelopmentDepartment; Historic Pensacola Preservation
Board.
Edited by staffofthe Florida Division ofHistorical Resources: Catherine Clark Frederick P. Gaske, Susanne Hunt,
Julie Weiler, and Rusty Ennemoser.
©2001 Florida DepartmentofState, Division ofHistorical Resources
h Mr-
n tia
Contents
Introduction 2
North Florida 3
Central Florida 13
South Florida 18
Florida Women's Heritage Trail Sites 26
Florida "Firsts'' 28
The Florida Women's Club Movement 29
Acknowledgements 32
On the Cover: Sections from three 1880s crazy quiltblocks from the
Tallahassee Museum ofHistory & Natural Science permanent collection.
Crazy quilts, popular during the late 19th century, are made from differently
colored and sized pieces of wool, velvet and silk fabrics, sewn together with
fancv embroidery stitches.
Many of the sites listed in this publication are listed in the National Registerof Historic Places, either indi\iduall\ m-
as contributing resources in a historic district. The National Register is a\-\ official list ofhisloricalh' significant
properties located throughout llu' countr\'. The list is mainl.iined bv iht.' National Park Sei\ice, and includes places
that have been documented as significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture, at
the local, stale, or national level. For information iC)W the National Register, consult the National Park Service's
National Register website at www.cr.nps.go\7nr/, call the I loritia Department ol Stale, bureau ot I listoric
Preservation at [phone] or (800) 847-727S or visit www.tllu'ritage.com.
(^ /
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Introduction
^W
Zora Neale Hurston, portrayed quilts
as ritual. Hurston's novel. Seraph on
the Suwanee, features middle-aged
Arvay, closingher dead mother's
eyes and wrapping her in three quilts
ofher mother's making. In "Cracker
Orange City Elementary Chidlings," a work ofshort fiction,
School students and their Rawlings draws the picture of a
1n^1|^ teacher, Miss Pickney. group ofwomen gathered together at
V^f 1934. Florida Photo Aunt Mag's for a quiltingbee from
Archives ^^mt d where the word goes out that ajoke
will be played thatnight on a new-
Within
thisbook arebrief from mother to daughter, it inspi—red comer to town.
outlines ofover 100 quiltingbees and sewing circles
women significant in the forerunners ofmodern women's At thebeginningofthe 21st century,
Florida's history. In each case, a clubs. Quilts provided warmth, women continue to redefine their
historic site or marker exists to beautified thehome, and m—arked roles as reflected in the achievements
illustrate their role in defining the important passages in life birth, ofFloridians such as Gwendolyn
state's past, present, and future. marriage, and death. Quilts reflected Sawyer Cherry and Elaine Gordon.
These stories begin with early native women's role as mother, daughter, Quilts and quiltinghave alsobeen
Indians and Spanish pioneers, and sister, and wife. redefined. TheAIDS Memorial Quilt
continue through the end ofthe 20th became a national symbol, a creative
century. The impact of their lives and Into the 20th century, the fabric and means for remembrance and healing.
work often reaches farbeyond the patterns ofAmericanwomen's daily The quilthasbecome widely ac-
shores and borders of the Sunshine life began to change. Hard won cepted amongboth male and female
State. Although these women are no opportunities redirected energy and artists as a work ofart, collected by
longerwith us, theirimpactis felt interesttoward theworking world museums and displayed inexhibits
today in the State ofFlorida and its and public service. Many women re- such as the annual Capital City quilt
people. directed their talents to support show ofthe Museum ofFlorida
Patterns of History social reforms such as the temper- History. Quilts tell women's stories.
ance movement and the right to vote. They represent the strong and
Historically, the creation ofquilts delicate threads which weave
—
was the province ofwomen. These Florida authors ofthe 1930s and women into Florida'sheritage a
products oflabor and love came to 1940s, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and past we all share, and thatbinds us
represent the intricate, diverse
all together.
patterns ofwomen's lives. Quilts
speak today ofwomen's changing
roles. Details from theblocks ofan
elaborately embroidered, late 19th-
century crazy quilt from the collec-
tion ofthe Tallahassee Museum of
Science and Natural History are
featured on the cover ofFlorida
Women's Heritage Trail. Details ofa
20th-centuryYo-Yo quilt illustrate the
features inside.
In the 19th century, quilting often
served as a woman's self-expression. Quilting at the Florida Folk Festival^
Anessential skill, often passed down 1957. Florida Photo Archives^
aS.
North
Florida
Escambia County
Pensacola
Barkley House
410 South Florida Blanca Street
[phone]
Built for Clara Louise Garnier
Barkley (1800-1867) in 1830, this
home is one of the oldest masonry
houses in Florida. Once called a
"high house" because of its el-
evated first floor, the building's
construction resembles that ofearly
masonry houses of New Orleans
and Louisiana. The Creole influ-
ences are evident in its wide gallery
porch and gables, combined with a
center-hall floor plan. The Barkley freedom ofher fellowblacks. The Leon County
House was restored by the cottage was later owned by a
Pensacola Heritage Foundation. succession of free black women. TALLAHASSEE
The simple wooden vernacular
Dorr House Bellevue
311 South Adams Street building, built between 1804 and Tallahassee Museum of History
1808 during the Second Spanish and Natural Science
[phone]
Period, is Pensacola's only surviv- 3945 Museum Drive
Clara Barkley Dorr (1825-1899), the
daughter of Clara Louise Garnier ing example of "to the sidewalk" [phone]
Barkley, grew up in the Barkley construction. Its pegged framing Bellexue is the former home of
and beaded ceilings were carefully Catherine Daingerfield Willis Gray
House. In 1870, following the death
ofher husband and eldest son, she preserved for its new role as a Murat (1803-1867), great-grandniece
black history museum. ofGeorge Washington, widow oi
purchased land in Pensacola's most
Achille Murat, Prince of Naples and
prestigious residential neighbor- Lavalle House nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte.
hood and built this classically 205 East Church Street Catherine bought the modest story-
inspired house. Here she raised her [phone] and-a-halfhouse and 520 acres of
five remaining children. During the Carlos Lavalle and Marianna land in 1854. Built between 1838 and
1890s, the home was used as a Bonifay (1760-1829), a French 1841, the house is <\n example of
private school for the children of widow, built this rare surviving indigenous southern architecture,
Pensacola's wealthv families. The example of French Creole colonial part ofa "carpenter tradition" using
home remains substantially un- construction practices passed from
architecture in 1805 during
changed and is completely fur- Florida's Second Spanish Period. generation to generation. The high
nished with antiques from the ceilings, central hallway, and wide
The house is furnished with 18th-
1850s to the 189()s. and 19th-centiuv antiques recreat- porches are well-suited tor a hot,
humid climate. It isa simple, frame
ing frontier lite in the 1820s.
Julee Cottage Museum \ernacular plantation residence.
210 East Zaragoza Street Catherine Murat li\ed at Belle\ue
[phone] part ofeach year. She was an active
The cottage belonged to Julee supporter of the Confederate cause
Panton, a "free woman of color" during the Ci\il War and once tired a
who worked to purchase the camion trom the Capitol ^teps
announcing Florida's secession from Knott House Museum
the Union. In 1967, 100 years after 301 East Park Avenue
Catherine Murat's death, theJunior [phone]
League ofTallahassee, the Florida The Knott House wasbuilt about
Heritage Foundation, and the 1843 as a wedding gift for Catherine
Tallahassee Museum of History and Gamble and territorial lawyer
Natural Science saved Bellevue, and Thomas Holmes Hagner. Catherine
moved it to its current site. Catherine was the sister ofMajor Robert
Murat is buried in the St. John's Gamble, builder ofthe 1845 Gamble
Episcopal Cemetery in Tallahassee. House near Bradenton and South
Florida's only surviving antebellum
State Library ofFlorida, Division of
plantation house. In the Spring of
Library and Information Services
1865, Union Brigadier General
R. A. Gray Building
Edward M. McCook arrived in
First and Second Floors
Gordon Tallahassee and established his
Elaine 500 South Bronough Street headquarters in the Knott House. On
State Legislator D(8o5r0o)t2h4y5-D6o60d0d (1902-1994) was the May 20, 1865, while residing at the
Knott House, McCook issued Presi-
Elaine Gordon wasborn in New first archivist for the State ofFlorida. dent Lincoln's Emancipation Procla-
YorkCity in 1931 and moved to She was largely responsible for mation. Each year on May 20 a
Florida in 1964. In 1972, she was beginning the Florida Collection of ceremony commemorating theevent
elected to the Florida House of the State Library ofFlorida. is held at the Knott House. In the
Representatives-the first woman The collections ofthe Florida State early 20th century, three Florida
ever elected to representher Archives include State Government Supreme Courtjustices and their
district. Representative Gordon Records, Local Government Records, families lived there in succession.
was the prime sponsor ofa series Manuscripts (Non-Governmental Louella Knott (1871-1965) and her
ofwomen's rights bills including Records), the Florida Photographic family acquired thehome in 1928. All
tahbeilElqtuhaalteRliigmhitnsaAtmedenmadnmdeanttoraynd CCoolllleeccttiioonn,. AanpdubtlheisGheendeagluoigdiecatlo offrotmhetfhuerKnniosthitnfgasmiilnyt.hPeoheomusseshdeate
divorce for spouse abuse victims women's history resources is also wrote hang from the furniturejustas
seeking restraining orders. In available. Dr. Dodd wrote and edited she left them, giving the Knott House
1976, she was instrumental in Florida Becomes a State in 1945. its nickname, "thehouse that
passing legislation establishing a rhymes."
Displaced Homemaker Program
offeringjob counseling, wellness Maclay State Gardens
clinics, and financial and educa- 3540 Thomasville Road
tional services to divorced [phone]
women who spent their lives as This park was once part ofa 3,760-
homemakers. She sponsored acre huntingestate ownedbyAlfred
legislation creating the Florida B. Maclay, a NewYork financier. He
Commission on the Status of and his wife designed ornamental
Women and, in 1982, was the first gardens for the property, includinga
woman inducted into the Florida Camellia Walk, Walled Garden and
Women's Hall ofFame. In 1992 Secret Garden. Afterher husband's
she became the Dean ofthe death in 1944, Louise Maclay (1885-
Florida House, a ceremonial title 1973) opened her 28-acre ornamental
reserved for the longest-serving garden to the public and in 1953
member. She was the first woman donated 307 acres to the state. Today,
elected Speaker Pro-Tempore and close to 100 varieties ofcamellias and
the first recipient of the State of 50 varieties ofazaleasbloom from
Florida United Way Humanitar- DecemberthroughApril.
ianAward. Elaine Gordon died
onFebruary 25, 2000.
Museum of Florida History
R.A. Gray Building, Ground Floor
500 South Bronough Street
[phone]
Many of the museum's permanent
exhibits and collections provide
information on the role ofwomen in
the development of Florida. The First
Ladies' Gown Collectioncommemo-
rates the wives of the state's gover-
nors and includes several inaugural
gowns. Portions of the collection are
sometimes on display at the Museum
ofFlorida History. The museum also
hosts an annual quilt show and
maintains archival records ofthe
Florida Quilt Heritage Documenta-
tion Project, which are available to
researchers upon prior request. fort on July 27, 1816. Some 270 of the world. In 1963, Lois Maxon of New
300 defenders were killed. On the York purchased the property and
Robert Manning Strozier Library grounds is a historicmarker com- made extensive changes to what had
Florida State University memorating Millie Francis (1803- oncebeen the old Wesley home. In
Dogwood Way
1848). She was the daughter ofHillis 1968, she donated the restored
[phone] Hadjo, a Muskogee Indian chief. In "Eden" to theState ofFlorida so that
Lois Lenski (1893-1974) was an March 1818, the Georgia Militia had it could become a state park. The
author and illustrator ofalmost 100 joined General Andrew Jackson's 1895 plantation-style house has
books and illustrated more than 50 army in the invasion ofSpanish period furnishings including Louis
books by other writers. In 1946 she Florida. The army called a rest stop XV, Louis XVI, and American
won the coveted Newbery Medal for at Fort Gadsden. Duncan Empire. The gardens feature large
the most distinguished contribution McKrimmon, a Georgia Militia live oaks, azaleas, and camellias.
to literature forAmerican children private, was captured by Creek
published in the previous year. The Indians and taken to their village on Alachua County
award was given for Strawberry Girl, the banks of the Wakulla River. The
a novel set on a strawberry farm in Indians tied Duncan to a tree and Cross Creek
rInur1al95F8losrhiedad,opnraotbeadblaylanregaercLoalkleelcatnido.n pwraespalarteedr ctaolklieldl,hMiiml.lieM,albeeeg,goerdafsorshe Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State
obfachkergriolluunsdtramtaitoenrsi,amlasntuoscFrliopritdsa, and htioshilisfec.oHmepawnaisonssp.arIend18a4n4d, rteheturned HOifsftoCroiucnStiyteRoad 325
State University'sStrozier Library. United States awarded Millie Francis [phone]
Cross Creek, the home of Marjorie
a Congressional medal and a pension
Franklin County Kinnan Rawlings (1896-1953), is
for her act of compassion.
where the world-famous author
Sumatra Walton County wrote her most popular books, T}ic
Yearling and Cross Creek. Rawlings
Millie Francis Historic Marker came to Cross Creek when she was
Fort Gadsden Site Point Washington 32 and drew inspiration for her
Apalachicola National Forest Eden State Gardens books from the land and the Florida
Six miles south of Sumatra Off U.S. Highway 98 Cracker communit\'. In 1939, she was
[phone] [phone] awarded the Pulit/er Prize for fiction
Also known as the "Negro Fort," One hundred years ago, Eden State for The Yearling, the stor\ o( a 12-
Fort Gadsden is located on the lower Cuirdens was the center ofa large year-old bo\' and his pet deer who
Apalachicola River. It was built and lumbering business founded by lived in the llorida scrub. With its
provisioned by the British and William Henry Wesley. The timber, raised floor and pitched roof, the
manned by black and Indian forces logged from Northwest Florida Rawlings house is a fine example of
under a black commandant named forests, was barged to IVnsacola "Cracker architecture" and is well-
Garson. American forces attacked the where it was shipped around the suited for the hot Florida climate.
/>^.
The Rawlings home is open to the played tennis in college at Florida
public and guided tours are pro- A&M University; Doris Hart, winner
vided. Many ofMarjorie Kinnan of35 Grand Slam tennis titles; Betty
Rawlings' books, drafts, letters, and Skelton Frankman (1926-present),
photographs are included in a the first woman inducted into the
collectionnotfarfrom Cross Creek, InternationalAerobatic Hall ofFame
at the Smathers Library East on the and the International Automotive
University ofFlorida campus in Hall of Fame; Patty Berg (1918-
Gainesville. present), founder and chartermem-
MiCANOPY ber of the Ladies Professional Golf
Association (LPGA) and its first
Payne's Prairie State Preserve
president (1948-1952); Tracy
U.S. Highway 441 Caulkins (1963-present), who as a
Marjorie Kinnan 10 miles south of Gainesville swimmer won three gold medals in
[phone] the 1984SummerOlympics; Chris
Rawlings Marjorie Harris Carr (1915-1997), Evert (1954-present), winner of 157
through her leadership and commit- singles tennis titles (a record for men
Author ment, made a significant impactby and women); and Lyn St. James,
protecting part ofFlorida's environ- "America's top woman race car
BornMarjorie Kinnanin 1896 in ment. Shebegan herwork in the
driver."
Washington, D.C., she graduated early 1960s bybringing attention to
from the University ofWisconsinin what would become the Payne's Hamilton County
1918 with a B.A. degree in English. Prairie State Preserve. The preserve is
The nextyear she married Charles now the lastprotected example ofthe
A. Rawlings, Jr., and moved with Florida prairie that once stretched White Springs
him to Rochester, NewYork, where across this part ofthe state. Stephen Foster State Folk
she worked as a newspaper writer. Carr led the Florida Defenders ofthe Culture Center
In 1928, Rawlings purchased an Environment during the 1970s and Off U.S. Highway41
orange grove inCross Creek, focused its efforts on stopping [phone]
Florida, where she and herhusband construction ofthe Cross-Florida This beautiful park on the Suwannee
subsequently moved to restore the Barge Canal. In 1976 the barge canal River contains folklife memorabilia,
farm to working condition. They was deauthorized and the museum displays, dioramas, and
divorced in 1933, but Rawlings Ocklawaha River was restored to its musical instruments, as well as a 97-
stayed in Cross Creek and in 1941 pristinebeauty, thanks largely to her bell carillon in a 200-foot-tall tower
married NortonSanford Baskin, a perseverance and foresight. The thatplays medleys ofFoster's music
restaurant and hotel operator. group was also instrumental in the at regular intervals. Each year the
The rural atmosphere ofher Florida creation ofthe National Environmen- park is the site ofthe Florida Folk
surroundings inspired Rawlings to tal PolicyActof 1980. Festival, which was founded by
write fiction, including the novels Thelma Ann Boltin (1904-1992),
Jacob's Ladder(1931), which was Columbia County Lillian Saunders (1893-1985), and
originally published as a shortstory, others in 1952. The twowomen
and South Moon Under(1933). She Lake City worked tirelessly to preserve folk
also wrote a semi-autobiographical arts, crafts, and traditionswithinthe
workentitled Cross Creek (1943). Florida Sports Hall of Fame and state.
Rawlings isbestknown for The Museum of Florida Sports History
Yearling (1938), the tale ofaboy, his 601 Hall of Fame Drive Duval County
pet deer, and his sad passage to [phone]
madoutlitohnoopdi.ctIutrweaisn 1m9a4d6eanindtohaasbeen EsxohmiebiotfsFalnodrivdai'dseogrdeiastpwlaoymsehinghlight Jacksonville
published inmore than 20 lan- athletes, including Babe Didrikson Community Club and Marker
guages. Its popular and critical Zaharias (1911-1956), called the 12447 Mandarin Road
success made herone ofthe most "Greatest WomanAthlete ofthe First [phone]
beloved ofAmerican authors. Halfof the 20th Century" by the In the 1870s and 1880s, Harriet
Associated Press; Althea Gibson Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) and her
(1927-present) who broke the color family wintered in Mandarin. Best
barrier at Wimbledon in 1953 and known for Uncle Tom's Cabin, Stowe
wrote Palmetto Leaves while living in inch bronze, to the museum. Savage
Mandarin. It was published in 1873 was recognized in the New York art
and describes Northeast Florida and community both as an artist and a
its residents. In 1870, Stowe created teacher, and was part ofthe Harlem
an integrated school in Mandarin for Renaissance. She is known forher
children and adults. This was an portraitbusts offamous men and
early step toward providing equal women, and for her images of
education in the area and predated everyday people in the black
the national movement toward community. The Cummer collection
integrationby more than a half includes arts and artifacts from the
century. The marker commemorating ancient world, as well as altarpieces,
the Stowe family is located across the tapestries, porcelain, painting and
street from the former site oftheir sculpture from the MiddleAges to
cottage. It is on the property of the the 20th century. It contains one of
Community Club, at the site ofa the world's largest collections of
church where Stowe's husband once early Meissen Porcelain, featuring
served as a minister. 700 pieces oftableware. The museum
Tf
CummerMuseum of Art & Gardens estate is surrounded by two and one- May Mann
halfacres of formal English and
829 Riverside Avenue
Italian gardens on the St. Johns River.
[phone] Jennings
Nina M. H. Cummer (1875-1958)
Doggett-Tucker House (private)
was instrumental in developing and Conservationist/Activist
1548 LancasterTerrace
nurturing the arts inJacksonville.
She commissioned the Olmsted The Doggett-Tucker House is the One ofthe mostpowerful women
childhood home of Carita Doggett in Florida history, May Mann
Brothers firm to design Memorial
Corse (1891-1978), daughter ofJudge Jennings (1872-1963) was a
Park in Riverside and founded the
and Mrs. John Locke Doggett. Corse conservationist and women's
Garden Club ofJacksonville.
Cummer isbest known as the is best remembered forher service as rights activist, who worked for
founder ofthe Cummer Museum the Florida State Director ofthe educational reforms and improve-
where visitors can see one of the few Federal Writers' Project, part of the ments in public welfare. Jennings
Depression Era's Work Projects served as Florida's First Lady
remaining works ofsculptor
Augusta Fells Savage (1900-1962). Administration (WPA). From its when her husband William
Cummer bequeathed one of inception in 1935, Corse served as Sherman Jennings was governor
state director, where she vigorously from 1901 to 1905. As early as
Savage's works. The Diving Boy, a 34-
advocated African-American partici- 1905, she helped develop a
strategy for acquiring the unpro-
tected land which became Royal
Palm Park and would laterbe part
ofthe Everglades National Park.
In 1914, she was elected president
of the Florida Federation of
Women's Clubs. Through the
years other leadership, the
Florida women's club network
worked for the environment, child
welfare, and much more. Club
women across the state worked in
campaign drives, lobbied legisla-
tors, and appealed to the NatitMial
Audubon SociolN and other
organizations for assistance.
pation in the collection and writing Clara White Mission
ofFlorida history. During this time, 611-13 West Ashley Street
shebecame a mentor to writer and [phone]
folklorist Zora Neale Hurston. As her The Clara White Mission is a memo-
supervisor. Corse is credited with rial to the humanitarian activities of
giving Hurston the leeway thather Clara English White (1845-1920), a
artistic personality required, afford- former slave, and her adopted
ing her the freedom to complete her daughter, Eartha Mary Magdalene
novelMoses: Man oftheMountain. White (1876-1974). Clara Whitewas
Born inJacksonville, Corse earned a a pioneer member ofthe Bethel
Bachelor ofArts degree from Vassar Baptist Church. Her influence was
College in 1913 and a Master ofArts continually felt throughout the
degree from Columbia University in community as she devoted her life to
1916. The mother offour children, in helping those less fortunate. The
1943, Corsebecame the Florida State masonry vernacularbuildingwas
Director ofthe newly created designed by noted architect Henry
Planned Parenthood where she John Klutho to serve as a symbol of
advocated for the right for women to hope for theneedy. Her daughter,
control theirownbiological destiny. Eartha Mary Magdalene White, was
In her letters, speeches and publica- also a humanitarian, educator and
tions. Corse eloquently described publisher. Through her efforts, a
Florida's rich heritage. She earned prison mission was formed. She
distinction as a historian, writing Dr. founded the Eartha M. M. White Jessie Ball duPont Park
Andrew TurnbuUand theNew Smyrna Nursing Home, whichspecialized in North bank of the St. Johns River
Colony (1919) and Key to the Golden caring for the needy, and created a Jessie Ball duPont (1884-1970) and
Islands (1931). Corse received an senior citizens' home forAfrican- her husband, Alfred, became winter
honorary DoctorofLetters from the Americans. White donated land for residents ofJacksonville in 1927. The
University ofthe South in 1932. She the city's first park forAfrican- duPonts andJessie'sbrother, Edward
died inJacksonville in 1978 at the age American children and was twice Ball, had many business interests in
of87. honored at White House receptions. Florida. She was personally involved
White served as a lobbyist for in the Florida National Banks, the St.
African-Americans with theJackson- Joe Paper Company, and the Florida
ville City Commission and the East Coast Railway. Whenher
Florida Legislature. husband died in 1935, shebecame
the principal trustee ofhis estate. In
his memory, she created three
foundations, including one in Florida
to assist the state's needy. When she
died in 1970, her will established the
Jessie Ball duPont Religious, Chari-
table and Educational Fund.
Kingsley Plantation
Timucuan Ecological and
Historical Preserve
11676 Palmetto Avenue
Fort George Island
[phone]
Anna MadgigineJai (1793-1870), a
princess from Senegal, WestAfrica,
was sold into slavery at the age of 13
to Zephaniah Kingsley, who she soon
married. After thebirth oftheir third
child in 1811, Anna Kingsley and her
children were given theirmanumis-