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MEDIA CONTACT: Terri Berns
561-297-1164, tberns@fau.edu
FAU's MacArthur Campus Library Presents
"Black Jupiter: The Untold Stories"
BOCA RATON, FL (March 28, 2005) - Florida Atlantic University Libraries presents a traveling exhibition entitled, "Black Jupiter: The Untold Stories." The exhibition is a result of more than a decade of genealogical research into the eight founding families, by long-time Jupiter resident and avid historian Lynn Drake. The exhibit is funded by a grant from the Florida Humanities Council and by the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. It will be on display through Monday, May 1 at FAU's MacArthur Campus Library, first floor.
More than 100 years ago, African Americans from South Carolina, Georgia and Northern Florida settled in West Jupiter. After settling, they found work on the railroad, steamboats or in the orange groves. Drawn by the abundant fish and freshwater of Limestone Creek and a chance to own land, they helped build streets, canals, the light keepers quarters, homes, businesses, schools and churches. The exhibition focuses on the everyday lives of this dynamic community, seen through the eyes of residents such as Idella Connaway, Nancy Davis
Young and Ella Rollins.
These entertaining stories contain valuable life lessons from a close-knit community whose wealth was its religious faith and commitment to each other. While sustaining their families, the people of West Jupiter also shaped the community-at-large by helping raise other families' children, manage households and businesses, and maintain land and buildings.
"My mother and father, Mary and L.M. Davis, and my aunt Rebecca Simmons always told me to honor your elders, no matter what color, remember to say yes ma'am and no ma'am. If you respected others, they would respect you," said Jupiter resident Nancy Davis Young. "As a child in Limestone Creek, you had a mother and father wherever you went, the people in the community always took care of one another."
This exhibit is part of a larger project by the Loxahatchee River Historical Society to help preserve the history of the African American community in Jupiter. Organizers hope that this exhibit will continue to inspire others to record their family's contributions to the development of the Jupiter area. Because the heritage of Black Floridians has traditionally been overlooked, the goal of this exhibit is to celebrate the unique legacy of 'Black Jupiter' and preserve it for future generations.
To contribute stories, photographs or artifacts to this ongoing project or for more information about this exhibit, please visit the Loxahatchee River Historical Society at www.jupiterlighthouse.org or call the library at 561-799-8530. Library hours are Monday -Thursday, 8:30 a.m. -10 p.m., Fridays, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saturdays 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, 12:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
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