It was a family reunion at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum on May 17, as the museum debuted its original exhibition, The Legacies of Delray Beach Families.
Members, matriarchs and patriarchs of the Spells, Quince, Edmonds and Mitchell families took turns speaking to the meaning of the photographic exhibit, which featured their families, on display through August 31. Delray Beach Mayor Carey Glickstein was in attendance to deliver congratulations and welcoming words.
The show features original photography of the families and families’ artifacts curated by local artist-photographer Michiko Kurisu. The families were selected based on oral histories collected by Spady Museum Founder Vera Farrington. Exhibit text explains how the families contributed to the city through their professions.
“While most may be familiar with the contributions of Delray Beach’s architects, government officials, artists and developers, the public may not be as informed about the African-American farmers, church-builders, police officers, barbers and teachers who were the spine of the community. These are their tales,” said Museum Director Charlene Jones. “It is with great pride and promise that the Spady Museum shares the portraits, memories and achievements of these four families in an effort to educate, inspire and recognize how much “every man” of this city has given to its growth and development. Without each one, there would be no one.”