Spady Cultural Heritage Museum Announces 2024-2025 Season of Culture, History & the Arts
New season includes previews of 100th Anniversary celebration of The Spady House
The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum kicks off its 2024-2025 Season with a preview of the 100th anniversary celebration of The Spady House, which takes place in 2026. Located in the Northwest Settlers’ District of Delray Beach, the historical home, which houses the museum’s collections and programs, was built in 1926 and was the residence of civil rights activist and educator Solomon D. Spady.
On Saturday, October 5, 2024, the museum will welcome visitors to “The House Still Stands – Celebrating 100 Years of The Spady House” commemoration reception. Supported by the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, the “Do Good Delray” event will feature the unveiling of a portrait of museum namesake, Mr. Spady, and a conversation with portrait artist Serge Strosberg. Strosberg was originally commissioned to create the portrait as part of an exhibition of Delray Beach leaders, which was on display last year at the Cornell Museum at Old School Square. The portrait will be a special addition to the museum galleries.
The evening will also serve as the closing reception for “Portrait of Ozie Franklin Youngblood: A Man of the 20th Century;” see below for details. The museum’s 2024-2025 season will include a special focus on ensuring the continuation of its programs with a goal of raising $100,000 from 2024 through 2026.
“The Spady Museum welcomes businesses and patrons who are interested in its mission to learn more about new sponsorship opportunities for the 100th anniversary,” said Museum Executive Director Charlene Farrington. Learn how to become a part of the celebration at www.spadymuseum.com.
IF YOU GO:
What: The House Still Stands” Commemoration Reception, preview of the 100th anniversary of The Spady House, and closing reception for “Portrait of Ozie Franklin Youngblood: A Man of the 20th Century.” Featuring an artist’s talk with Serge Strosberg, portrait viewing and light refreshments.
When: 7-8:30 p.m.
Where: Spady Museum, 170 NW 5th Ave., Delray Beach, 33444
Cost: $20 pp
Register: https://www.spadymuseum.com/events-timeline/
2024-2025 EXHIBITIONS
Museum: Portrait of Ozie Franklin Youngblood: A Man of the 20th Century
August 15, 2024– October 5, 2025
Co-Curated by Khaulah Naima Nuruddin and Tracy Ann Simmonds
A civil rights leader. An inspirational mentor. A stellar resident of Delray Beach. Who was Ozie Franklin Youngblood? Discover the life and legacy of Mr. Youngblood, as told through the lens of his personal artifacts and archives of The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum. Mr. Youngblood’s biography includes his origin story and the impact his strong leadership had on his community, his neighbors and his culture, as a collective. Ozie Franklin Youngblood represents the men of his time and how they rose to meet a historical moment that would influence all who would come after them.
October 22, 2024– January 6, 2025
Reception: October 25, 2024; 7-9 p.m.
In the Museum Gallery: Inside Outside (Social Justice) – Solo exhibition of multimedia works by Ives Gabriel. Highlighting the suppression of facts and the importance of documenting history.
February 1, 2025 – September 21, 2025
In the Museum Gallery: Bahamas/Water Works – Co-curated with Allison Bolah — Water exhibit incorporating the strong, local connection with the Bahamas, as told through Evan Bennet’s and Cathleen Dean’s photography and video.
2024-2025 COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Dec. 26, 2024: Kwanzaa Celebration
2-5 p.m.
170 NW 5th Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444
Kwanzaa Celebration will welcome families to celebrate the holidays by making their own gifts and enjoying live music, art activities, storytelling for children, and food. The celebration will be held outside on the museum grounds. Kwanzaa is a Pan-African holiday designed to strengthen and celebrate the best of African culture and heritage. Five community-minded organizations come together to infuse the Kwanzaa celebration with all of the seven principles for a rich and memorable experience. Unity, a concept that was kept away from African Americans during the founding of our country, is an important principle to learn, adopt and practice. (Learn more about Kwanzaa here: https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/seven-principles-kwanzaa). The Spady Museum will condense the week-long celebration into an afternoon of community observation. The Kwanzaa Celebration is hosted by Spady Museum in collaboration with the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., the Sankofa Study Group, Pyramid Books, Kwanzaa 365 Live. Sponsored by HARAMBE Sponsor Eric’s Wrench.
January 20, 2025: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch
10 a.m.-noon
Indian Spring Country Club, 11501 El Clair Ranch Road, Boynton Beach, FL
Ticket price: $55 per person; $550 per table, includes a full breakfast buffet
A signature community event, which is often sold-out, the Spady Museum’s “I Have A Dream” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast has swelled to welcome more than 300 people from Palm Beach and Broward counties. The 2025 Breakfast will feature guest speaker Don Mizell, Esq., whose work includes developing the successful marketing strategy for creation of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday (https://www.donmizell.com/). The Spady Museum is actively seeking sponsors to underwrite the featured elements of the event – Entertainment, Food/Beverage and Guest Speaker. If you or your business is interested in sponsoring, please email the museum at info@spadymuseum.org.
Tickets are available at www.spadymuseum.com. For more information, call 561-279-8883 or email info@spadymuseum.org
May 20: A Delray Beach Family Affair – Recognizing Florida’s Emancipation Day
4-8 p.m.
170 NW Fifth Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33437
Celebrate the communion of family – whether it’s your biological, communal, or cultural family – at this FREE event in the backyard of the Spady Museum. Family members can enjoy musical performances, food vendors, and lively history lessons on May 20, 1865 – when the enslaved people of Florida learned of their emancipation. Children can splash around in water play, and adults can shop merchandise from the Spady MarketPlace. Consider it a Family Reunion for all!
By Reservation Only: Historic Districts of Delray Beach Bus Tour
The Historic Districts of Delray Beach Bus Tour takes riders on a journey through the city’s living and preserved history. Riders will tour the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum and other locations; disembarking at select historic sites for a closer look at the fascinating history of Delray Beach. To book this tour for groups of 10-28, please contact the museum at (561) 279-8883 or email us at info@spadymuseum.org
ABOUT THE SPADY CULTURAL HERITAGE MUSEUM:
The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum was established in July 2001 by the non-profit organization, EXPANDING AND PRESERVING OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE, INC., a 501(c)3 Florida organization. Located in the 1926 former home of educator Solomon D. Spady, the museum preserves and shares local Black history with Delray Beach Black archives, exhibits, bus tours, walking tours, commemorative events and youth mentoring. Hours: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday-Saturday; all other hours are by appointment. (561) 279-8883; wwwspadymuseum.com
MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Brown, Kaliah Communications, Inc.; 561-308-3382, kaliahpr@gmail.com
Photo Credit: MasterWing Creative Agency, 2024