Immerse yourself in everything Orlando’s influential African American community has to offer. Orlando’s history can be traced back to the prehistoric era, with a melting pot of peoples and cultures making their marks along the way. Discover Black-owned attractions, restaurants and other businesses, and make plans to join special events centered around Zora Neale Hurston, Black History Month and Juneteenth. Orlando vacation planning made easy - and free.
The Wells'Built Museum in Orlando, Florida, showcases African American history and culture.
Eatonville: A Historic Gem
Eatonville isn’t the only place to explore African American culture in Orlando. Around the turn of the 20th century, Eatonville attracted a family whose daughter would go on to great acclaim as an author: Zora Neale Hurston. Eatonville is an intimate space that serves as the perfect entry point to Eatonville’s history. Here, you can pick up resources to help you make the most of your visit, including details about historic markers throughout the city limits. Guided walking tours are also available by appointment; call (407) 960-1361 for details.
Points of Interest in Eatonville
Other points of interest in Eatonville include the St. Lawrence AME Church, a historic African American house of worship that features famous murals by Andre Smith, the founder of the nearby Maitland Research Center and an artistic colleague of Hurston. The ZORA! Festival Season is a multifaceted, multicultural celebration of Hurston and the arts, culture and education. It offers of a series of engaging events that take place in Eatonville and other locations in the Orlando area, including many that are free to attend. The season starts with the month-long ZORA!
Hannibal Square: Preserving History
Hannibal Square is part of Winter Park, a charming community about 25 minutes north of Orlando’s tourism districts and close to Eatonville. Officially founded in 1881, Hannibal Square originally consisted of African Americans who worked for the South Florida Railroad and Winter Park’s wealthy families. On Oct. 12, 1887, it became the site of one of the country’s earliest Civil Rights marches when a group of Black residents crossed the town’s dividing railroad tracks to vote in the election that officially incorporated Winter Park, including Hannibal Square. Today, members of the community work to preserve the area’s history and landmarks.
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Hannibal Square Park in Winter Park, Florida.
The Wells'Built Museum: A Legacy of Hospitality and Placemaking
Since 2009, the Wells’Built Museum has celebrated the spirit and resilience of Orlando’s African American community. When exploring the Wells’Built Museum, one thing quickly becomes clear. Dr. William Monroe Wells dedicated his life to making travelers from all walks of life feel welcome in Orlando. The history museum displays mementos from Black residents of the City Beautiful. In a time when accessible rooms were rare, Dr. Wells made sure there was a room the blind singer could get around safely.
Instead, they made their way west of downtown to a neighborhood called Parramore. Dr. William Monroe Wells, one of Orlando’s first black doctors, opened the Wells’ Built Hotel in 1929 for them. The two-story Wells’ Built is at the corner of South Street and Division Avenue. It was also the site of a moving Civil Rights speech delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
The Wells’Built earned a spot on The Negro Travelers’ Green Book, an annual publication that began in the 1930s and served as the basis for the Oscar-winning 2018 film, Green Book. Word about the hotel spread, and the Wells’Built thrived for decades. The Wells’Built Hotel closed in 1957, a year after Dr. Wells’ passing. Over the next few decades, the building fell into disrepair. In the 1990s, the Orlando government considered demolishing it.
It was saved in part because of state representatives Alzo J. Reddick and Geraldine Thompson. Rep. Thompson fell in love with the hotel’s history while conducting research at nearby Valencia College. Rep. Reddick had grown up in Parramore and delivered newspapers to the hotel as a child. The two helped spread awareness about the building’s history and raised the funds needed to refurbish it. In 2000, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nine years later, it reopened as the Wells’Built Museum. Geraldine Thompson’s daughter, Elizabeth, serves on the museum’s board of directors.
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It has been 85 years since Dr. Wells opened the Wells’ Built Hotel in Parramore. The hotel shuttered its doors long ago, a victim of urban renewal around 1970. “We want to preserve our history to share with generations to come, so that they might understand,” said State Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando. (PAST), which operates the museum. The old hotel found a champion in then-State Rep. Alzo J. With the help of the Trust for Public Lands, Reddick, now a University of Central Florida professor and the founder/director of the Soldiers to Scholars program, advocated for nearly $1 million in appropriations to save and refurbish the building. The ground floor became 3,400 square feet of exhibit space and the second floor, an office. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, baseball great Roy Campanella and music legends B.B.
“I went to heroic efforts to prevent the Wells’ Built from being torn down because it was a big part of my life and the lives of others,” said Reddick, who considers saving the Wells’ Built his finest accomplishment as a legislator. Dr. Wells, whose sister taught Reddick in the seventh grade, is credited with delivering 5,000 African-American babies before his retirement. In addition, he treated black adults suffering from influenza, pneumonia and other diseases. Established in the 1880s, Parramore, located just west of Interstate 4, is currently the home to the Florida A&M University School of Law and the Federal Courthouse.
Visitors to the Wells’ Built Museum can still see some of the original 1930s furniture and decorations from the 20 guest rooms. PAST took ownership of the building in 1997 and renovations began in 1998. “People come to see the Wells’ Built and to truly understand its historical significance,” said Thompson, whose senate office is in the building’s second floor.
Inside the Museum
At the front of the museum, you’ll find murals of residents and leaders who made their mark on the neighborhood. From there, you’ll find rooms full of photos and letters from former residents and their families. The Wells’Built Museum also has a massive collection of 20th-century home goods, including kitchenware, toys, and vinyl records. When you’re done exploring these museum exhibits, head upstairs. There, you will find a hotel room frozen in time. It features furniture and décor that would have greeted a guest at the Wells’Built Hotel in the 1930s.
The Wells’Built Museum is within walking distance of the Kia Center and Inter&Co Stadium. Spend a day at the Wells’Built before you venture out for a concert, basketball game, or soccer match. The Wells’Built Museum is also a short drive from Camping World Stadium and UCF’s Creative Village. Parramore is also home to up-and-coming businesses like Deadwords Brewing and The Monroe. The latter was named in Dr. William Monroe Wells’ honor.
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This historic building in downtown Orlando features Civil Rights artifacts and other displays. This intimate venue serves as a gateway to exploring historic Eatonville. Pick up a printed guide to the town’s historic markers, or call (407) 960-1361 for a guided tour.
The Wells’Built Hotel was opened by one of Orlando’s first African American physicians; for a time, it was the only lodging in Orlando that served Black travelers. After being abandoned for 25 years, the Wells’Built Museum-which displays memorabilia of Orlando’s African American community and the civil rights movement as well as African art and artifacts-opened in February 2001, in celebration of Black History Month. “This is my calling,” says Thompson, “I’ve been given the privilege to share this information.
“The Wells’Built was one of Ray Charles’s favorite places,” says Thompson, pointing to a record of the venue’s performers and guests. “He would come into the building, register for his room . . . climb the stairs to the second floor, and enter the hallway. He would turn left, and he knew that when he ran into the wall, his room was right there to the left. We know when he was there and when Louis Armstrong was there.
Many displays are inspiring: paintings by Floridian Odell Etim depicting performers and crowds at the South Street Casino; an epic panoramic photo of an early African Methodist Episcopal (AME) gathering in Chicago; or a plain white shirt covered in campaign buttons for Thompson, Reddick, Jesse Jackson, and Barack Obama.
Thompson’s favorite part of the collection? Dr. Wells’s ledgers, which were discovered in his former home. Also slated for demolition, the house was saved and relocated next to the museum (and will eventually become part of it).
Jeff Rupert mentions the ledgers, too: “It’s incredible seeing some of the legendary names on there,” he says. “Count Basie and Duke Ellington, Louie Armstrong-a lot of important vocalists. Count Basie’s band was the first band I ever heard when I was 10 years old,” he adds. “To me, the Wells’Built is as vital as going to Beethoven’s house in Bonn or Wagner’s home in Lucerne. It’s really important. This is a profound place.
Beyond the stack of ledgers, exploring the museum feels like walking through a Black history textbook-a raw, honest textbook.
Events and Celebrations
Between festivals, concerts, live theater, sports and other happenings, there’s always something to do when you visit Orlando. Here are some of our top events focusing on African American history and culture. Celebrating its namesake author and her influence, ZORA! Festival is a multifaceted celebration of the arts, culture and education. It encompasses a wide variety of events throughout the year, including art exhibits, educational forums, concerts, food and more.
You can join Juneteenth (June 19) celebrations throughout Orlando, particularly in Eatonville and Hannibal Square.
Visiting the Wells'Built Museum: Practical Information
The Wells'Built Museum is located in Orlando, Florida. Visitors can typically reach it by car, with parking available nearby. Public transportation options may also be available; checking local Orlando transit schedules is recommended for the most up-to-date information. Parking availability can vary. For tourists, using ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft can be a convenient option to reach the Wells'Built Museum directly from your accommodation.
Admission fees can change. Museum hours can vary seasonally and for special events. While advance booking might not always be mandatory, it can be a good idea, especially during peak seasons or for group visits, to ensure entry and potentially avoid queues. The museum strives to be accessible. It's recommended to contact the Wells'Built Museum directly to inquire about specific accessibility features and accommodations to ensure a comfortable visit.
The Wells'Built Museum showcases the history and culture of African Americans in Central Florida, featuring exhibits on the Wells'Built Hotel, local achievements, and significant historical events.
Guided tours are often available and highly recommended. Docents provide in-depth information and context, enriching the visitor experience. Photography policies can vary by exhibit. It's important to look for signage or ask museum staff about where photos are permitted to ensure you comply with their guidelines. Most visitors spend between 2 to 3 hours exploring the museum's exhibits to fully appreciate the historical narratives and artifacts presented.
Tips for Different Travelers
Families with Kids
The Wells'Built Museum offers an educational and engaging experience for families. While the exhibits delve into serious historical topics, the museum's narrative of resilience and achievement can be inspiring for children. Encourage them to ask questions and engage with the stories presented. Consider focusing on exhibits that highlight cultural achievements and community life, which can be more relatable for younger visitors. The museum's historical context provides a valuable opportunity to teach children about the importance of history and diversity in a tangible way.
History Enthusiasts
For history buffs, the Wells'Built Museum is a treasure trove of local and regional African American history. The focus on the Wells'Built Hotel provides a unique lens through which to view the social and economic landscape of mid-20th century Orlando. Expect to find detailed accounts of the challenges and triumphs of the era, offering insights into the lives of individuals and the community as a whole. The museum's commitment to preserving these narratives makes it an essential visit for anyone interested in American history, particularly the African American experience.
Visiting the Wells' Built Museum of African American History
| Person | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Zora Neale Hurston | Acclaimed author and folklorist; celebrated through the ZORA! Festival. |
| Dr. William Monroe Wells | One of Orlando's first African American physicians; founder of the Wells'Built Hotel. |
| Alzo J. Reddick | Former State Representative; instrumental in saving and refurbishing the Wells'Built Hotel. |
| Geraldine Thompson | Current State Senator; played a key role in preserving the Wells'Built Hotel and its history. |
