In honor of Black History Month, Bike/Walk Central Florida, the Eatonville Cultural & Heritage Foundation and HOPR Bike Share hosted a two-and-a half mile bike-ride through history. Riders explored local landmarks throughout the Historic Town of Eatonville and the City of Maitland.
Jasmyne Reese shares some history of Eatonville
The riders began at the City of Eatonville Town Hall where tour guide Jasmyne Reese read an excerpt from Zora Neale Hurston’s memoir Dust Tracks on a Road: “I was born in a Negro town. I do not mean by that the black back–side of an average town. Eatonville, Florida, is, and was at the time of my birth, a pure Negro town–charter, mayor, council, town marshal town.”
She also pointed out community landmarks, from the Hurston House to Hungerford High. From there, the group rode to Elizabeth Park to view the “Rise” Mural Project.
Eatonville: Bike Through History highlight video
The “Rise” murals were created by a group of local artists and poets that came together for their love of art and community spirit, to tell the story of Eatonville, a town rich in history. Curators of the mural project said they hope the murals will serve to inspire Eatonville’s younger generation to aim high.
Mosely House
Next stop was the Moseley House museum. Jasmyne shared that the house retains features distinguishing it as an archetype of the houses found in Eatonville at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. She also pointed out the house next door, which is the oldest house in Eatonville and is in need of restoration and repairs to preserve it.
The riders then enjoyed some gorgeous views of Eatonville across Lake Sybelia as the sun was setting.
Lake Sybeli
BWCF chair and ride leader Lisa Portelli
