Throughout life, history has been a major factor in defining personality, beliefs, and how life is perceived. This month, every person recognizes the importance of African Americans in history.
The Avon Park Depot Museum does more than recognize. It remembers and commemorates the entire community that made a positive change.
In early February, the Avon Park Depot Museum opened a permanent Black history exhibit to maintain the history of and remember those who made a difference. The exhibit features eight people who have contributed much to Black history: Fred Conner, the city’s first Black police officer, and his wife Wilma; James Hulen, the city’s first Black business owner; Robert Britt, the city’s first Black mayor and second Black police officer; Bishop Thomas Brown, founder and pastor of Faith Pentecostal House of God; Cuellar Peterson, the first Black baby born in Avon Park; Robert Wilson Jr. and Beatrice Peterson.
Elaine Levey, who has worked for 25 years at the Avon Park Depot Museum, was reading the Highlands News-Sun about Black History Month when she got the idea to create a space at the museum dedicated to the history of the city’s Black residents.
“I’d like to have 10 or 12 people who have made a change in history. I’ve learned a lot doing this exhibit,” Levey said.
“It’s not just about one month. It’s important to remember history daily. Usually, it’s one month a year, but we’ve done a lot more,” said Anthony Conner, son of Fred Conner, the city’s first Black police officer. He added that his father was the only Black police officer for at least seven years.
“My father worked very hard all his life; he worked two jobs, full time as a police officer and part time at the telephone company,” Anthony Conner said. He mentioned that by then, his father had not had a car for many years, and he had to walk all that time, regardless of the weather.
Levey noted that Anthony Conner has helped obtain information about some people. Robert Britt was a neighbor of the Conner family.
“It is important to be part of history and recognized. America is not just white and black; it is a mix of communities,” Anthony Conner said.
“I am very proud of my father and mother; they are my inspiration,” said Katrina Conner, daughter of Fred Conner, who is currently vice president of Fifth Third Bank in Lakeland. She noted that this exhibit makes her very excited and proud.
“We are sharing something powerful, history,” Katrina Conner said.
“My father made a change in history and my life. I’m proud!” Anthony Conner said.
The Black History Exhibit will be a permanent fixture so the entire community can visit it at the Avon Park Museum, at 3 . Museum Ave. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
