PORT
941-743-1900
FAX:
941-743-2245
E-Mail: visit@pureflorida.com
Media Contacts:
Becky
Bovell
941-743-1900
Blanchard House debut to coincide with anniversary of
Or that four blacks signed their names on the document
incorporating the
These
fascinating stories – and more – are the cornerstone of
The
museum is celebrating its grand opening along with the annual “May 20
Celebration & Village Festival” from
The
Village Festival will feature live entertainment, food and drink concessions –
including beer – and arts and crafts vendors. Local historian and former state
Rep. Vernon Peeples will be the keynote speaker. Activities
include a ribbon-cutting, as well as recognition of teachers from the
“The
Charlotte County Visitor’s Bureau is helping to promote this important event
and we are delighted that we will have another museum to add to our historical
and cultural inventory,” said Becky Bovell, Director of Tourism. “Museums play
a vital role in attracting visitors and the Blanchard House adds new dimension
to our visitor assets.”
The Blanchard House is a joint effort between whites and
blacks alike, to preserve the sorrows and hopes, trials and triumphs of
African-Americans in the
“This
project would have been impossible, had it not been for the assistance of many
people who are not black, as well as those in the African-American community,”
said Dr. Martha Bireda, daughter of the late Punta
Gorda community activist Bernice A. Russell, and founder of Bernice A. Russell
Community Development Corp.
The
Blanchard House,
The museum will have permanent and temporary exhibits, as
well as a gift shop. For more information, contact Dr. Martha Bireda at (941) 639-2914.
The
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