Previous Events
Women's History Month "Women Who Advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" - 2024
The Apopka Historical Society proudly hosted a special event in honor of Women’s History Month, featuring Commissioner Diane Velazquez and local artist Ms. Delia Miller. The event centered around the theme of advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion, highlighting the remarkable contributions of women in various careers.
Commissioner Diane Velazquez captivated the audience with her inspiring journey, from her career as an investigator with the New York Police Department to her historic appointment as the first Hispanic Commissioner for the City of Apopka. She shared insights into her experiences breaking barriers and emphasized the importance of representation and leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion within communities.
Ms. Delia Miller, a prominent local artist known for her captivating murals, shared her unique perspective as both a student pilot and an artist. Through her vibrant artwork and personal anecdotes, Ms. Miller illustrated the intersection of her passions and the challenges she has overcome in pursuing her dreams. Her story serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of women in pursuing their aspirations across diverse fields.
“We were honored to have had Commissioner Velazquez and Ms. Miller joined us for this special event,” said Maribel Brinkle, President of the Apopka Historical Society. “Their stories are not only inspirational, but also showcase the vital role that women play in shaping our communities and promoting inclusivity.”
The event provided a platform for attendees to engage in meaningful dialogue and reflect on the importance of supporting women’s voices and achievements. Through shared experiences and stories of perseverance, Commissioner Velazquez and Ms. Delia Miller underscored the significance of advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of society.
Attorney Alexander Akerman Jr. Desk Dedication - February 15th, 2024
Attorney Alexander Akerman Jr. was a lawyer in Central Florida from the late 1940’s to the early 1950’s. during his career, he would help represent African Americans in the court of law. “The Groveland Four” and Hawkins v. Florida Board of Control were two of his most prominent cases.
The Apopka Museum is proud to gift the desk used by Alexander Akerman Jr. to Florida A&M University College of Law! We felt this was the best place for this desk to reside since his defense of Virgil Hawkins would indirectly lead to the creation of FAMU Law. Thank you to everyone at Florida A&M University College of Law for making all of this possible!
Remembering Former Commissioner Alonzo Williams
On January 27th, 2024, the Apopka Community Center hosted an event Remembering Former Commissioner Alonzo Williams Jr. The Apopka Historical Society was in attendance to pay their respects. Commissioner Alonzo Williams Jr. was born in Apopka, Florida on December 19, 1938 and passed on January 9, 2024. In 1970, Alonzo was elected as the first African-American City Commissioner in Apopka. He defeated former City Commissioner Myrtle Womble, the first woman elected commissioner in Apopka. Alonzo Williams Jr. served the citizens of Apopka for 24 years. He was a member of the Lake Apopka Natural Gas Board, the first business manager of the Progressive Senior Citizens Club and he was also a Businessman. In Albany, Georgia, he was cared for by his son, Alonzo Williams III.
“In December 1970, John Land won a resounding reelection with 590 votes against 175 for (Leonard) Hurst and 68 for (James) Meeks. J.D Gilliard was reelected, and Alonzo Williams defeated Myrtle Womble to become the first black person to hold an elected office in Apopka.”
–Jerrell H. Shofner, History of Apopka and Northwest Orange County, Florida
3rd Annual Nutcracker Christmas Event
The Apopka Historical Society invites you to join us for the
3rd Annual Nutcracker Christmas! This festive holiday event features a display with hundreds of nutcrackers, seasonal entertainment, ballerinas, and free face painting and crafts. There will also be chance drawings for a 6-foot nutcracker, bicycles and other toys, and many other desirable items. The gift shop will be open for your holiday shopping and docents will be on site to
assist with tours of the exhibit and the museum. This event is FREE to the public and is sure to become a holiday tradition for your family!
Please join us on December 17th from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. The event will be at the Museum of Apopkans, 122 East 5th Street in Apopka, conveniently located behind Apopka City Hall. For more information, please contact us at
theapopkamuseum@gmail.com or call 407-703-1707.
BE SURE TO LOOK AT OUR GALLERY BELOW!
March 2023 - Women's History Month
In honor of Women’s History Month, The Apopka Museum hosted a round-table event on March 23 to highlight some of our local women in the area.
Below are images from this amazing event. We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed honoring these women.
Path to Justice Exhibit: Black History Month 2023
The Central Florida area is home to many unique attractions such as Disney World and Florida oranges, as well as a few notable people who can be remembered. We will be remembering one of these people during our Black History Month Exhibit. Descending from a family of prominent law-driven individuals, Alexander Akerman Jr. was an individual who always fought for the rights of all men that lived in the United States. Best described by the Orlando Sentinel as “Central Florida’s own Atticus Finch”, Alex Akerman Jr’s career never truly got the recognition it deserved until much later in his life. His one career-defining case was however the one that ended his law career before it barely had begun. Fighting alongside Thurgood Marshall, then leading lawyer for the NAACP, he was a defense attorney to “The Groveland Four”. When taking the case, he voiced his concerns best in an interview in 1984 for the University of Florida. “The Constitution is clear that everybody is entitled to a fair and impartial trial, and to be defended by competent counsel. I didn’t see how in good conscience I could turn it down although I realized what the consequences would be. I had just started my political life. Being the only Republican in the Florida legislature in 1947 and 1948, I knew that this would be an end to that. In weighing the balances I didn’t see how I could turn it down. So I took the case.”
Come to the Apopka Museum to see the history behind this American Civil Rights case!
Available from February 1st-28th, 2023
Black History Month Celebration 2023
(Billie Dean Community Center)
This past Sunday, 2/26/2023, our celebration of Black History Month concluded at the Billie Dean Community Center!!
City of Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson, Commissioner Alexander Smith, Commissioner Diane Velazquez, Commissioner Kyle Becker, Commissioner Nick Nesta, Apopka Youth Council under the direction of Dr. Shakenya Jackson, Ms. Isadora Dean and her family, our own historian Francina Boykin and all of our distinguished families and guests paid honor to our legends of Apopka! This celebration included our latest publication, “Celebrating Legends of Apopka.” This book is a part of our dedication to early settlers’ contributions to Apopka History. The book was our first step and our second step will be followed by a mural depicting some of the early settlers of Apopka and their life. Our third and final step will culminate with a historical marker in the geographical area of Mead’s Bottom.
“Celebrating Legends of Apopka” Books are currently on sale at City Hall and the Apopka Museum!!
Black History Month Local Legends!!!
2nd Annual Nutcracker Christmas Event
The Apopka Historical Society invites you to join us for the
Second Annual Nutcracker Christmas! This festive holiday event features a display with hundreds of nutcrackers, seasonal entertainment, ballerinas, and free face painting and crafts. There will also be chance drawings for a 6-foot nutcracker, bicycles and other toys, and many other desirable items. The gift shop will be open for your holiday shopping and docents will be on site to
assist with tours of the exhibit and the museum. This event is FREE to the public and is sure to become a holiday tradition for your family!
Please join us on December 11th from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. The event will be at the Museum of Apopkans, 122 East 5 th Street in Apopka, conveniently located behind Apopka City Hall. For more information, please contact us at
theapopkamuseum@gmail.com or call 407-703-1707.
BE SURE TO LOOK AT OUR GALLERY BELOW!
November 12th, 2022 - Explore Aviation History!
Please join the Apopka Historical Society as we celebrate Aviation History Month with a new exhibit presented by the Remote-Control Association of Central Florida and the Academy of Model Aeronautics.
Pilots from Apopka’s very own Don Lowe Field will have their model aircraft on display, and there will also be other aviation items and information regarding the airfield and the history of aeronautics as it pertains to Apopka and Northwest Orange County.
The exhibit will run November 2nd through November 12th, culminating with a family-friendly event on Saturday, November 12th. This event will have hands on activities for kids of all ages, opportunities to meet pilots of various types and sizes of model aircraft and much more.
Hispanic Heritage Month - 10/22/22
Hispanic Heritage Month was a huge success! Special thanks to Folklorico Huellas De Colombia Folkdance, Corazón de Mexico, and Sahara Entertainment. R.G. Fleuridor was a great DJ for our event. Thanks to Mayor Bryan Nelson, Commissioner Diane Velazquez, Commissioner Nick Nesta, Commissioner Kyle Becker, and Commissioner Alexander Smith for their support of this event. We look forward to next year’s Hispanic Heritage Month to be bigger and better! Thank you also to Mr. David Newark for the staging on behalf of the Historic Winonah Cottage of Errol Estate.
FARMWORKERS REMEMBERED IN SPECIAL EXHIBIT AND EVENTS
Agriculture has been a part of Apopka’s history for many years. The designation of “The Indoor Foliage Capital of the World” was the result of farms, nurseries, and the hard work of so many people.
The Museum of the Apopkans was pleased to host a special exhibit with associated events during August remembering the efforts of these workers through art! A major feature will be one of the quilts pieced together by Ms. Linda Lee, one of these farmworkers. Ms. Lee will also bring her other smaller pieces of fabric art which so poignantly tell the story of these folks. Additional displays and videos will go into detail about the lives of the farmworkers.
Dale Finley Slongwhite is the author or the book Fed Up which features several farmworkers as they share their experiences.
March 16, 2022 - Farmworkers Association and AHS Collaborate
On Wednesday, March 16, the representatives from the Farmworkers Association and the Apopka Historical Society met together to plan joint efforts, including special displays at the new Magnolia Park pavilion. Commissioner Christine Moore has spearheaded the renovations at Magnolia Park. Kyle Kent, supervisor at the Orange County Department of Parks and Recreation, has insured that there will be a special building where park visitors can rent bikes and other sporting items. They will also be able to learn about the history of our area! The Farmworkers, the Audubon Society, the Friends of Apopka, The Apopka Historical Society, and more will be represented in this special place in our county.
A distinctive member of the Farmworkers group is Ms. Linda Lee who created the Farmworkers’ Quilt which has been displayed in City Hall, the Museum of the Apopkans, and has places of honor in parades. The quilt tells the story of generations of farmworkers in the Apopka area. Additionally, she has created fabric art that continues the saga of these important contributors to Apopka’s recent history.
Ms. Lee’s quilt and fabric art will be the centerpiece of an upcoming exhibit at the Museum of the Apopkans during the month of August. Watch for further details.
Attending the meeting on the 16th are (front row) Linda Lee, Dale Slongwhite, Jeannie Economas, and Chris Dudding from the Farmworkers Association. Standing in the back row are Lorena Potter, Betsy Townsend, Trudy Weiss, Maribel Brinkle, Kathy Gill all of the Apopka Historical Society and Sarah Downs also of the Farmworkers group. They are pictured with examples of Ms. Lee’s fabric art.
December 19, 2021 - The Community Celebrated a Nutcracker Christmas
Christmas carols wafted through the parking lot as a vintage firetruck and giant nutcracker greeted visitors. In the museum the music of Tschaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite provided the accompaniment for three lovely ballerinas who entertained the guests. The extensive nutcracker collection, privately owned and loaned for the event, was the source of many “oohs” and “ahs” heard throughout the museum. The first “Nutcracker Christmas at the Museum of the Apopkans” was such a marvelous success for the Apopka Historical Society who hosted it, and those who shared the holiday celebration. Special guests attending included Mayor Bryan Nelson, Commissioner Doug Bankson, Commissioner Kyle Becker, Commissioner Diane Velazquez, Apopka City Manager Edward Bass and Orange County District 2 Commissioner Christine Moore.
The Apopka Historical Society would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to those who helped make this event such a success. The ballerinas were Tiffany Kron, Rylee Matheson and Jordan Wiesner who are all students at the Duval Dance Studio. The Christmas music, firetruck and inflatable nutcracker were provided by David Newark of Florida Mobile RV. Mr. Newark has also graciously shared his home, Winonah Cottage, with the community. The Historical Society corps of volunteers spent countless hours creating the holiday fantasy amid the treasures of Apopka’s past. Two lucky guests took home special versions of nutcrackers as the winners of a random chance drawing. Mr. Ed Velazquez won a beautiful Lennox porcelain nutcracker and Jordan Wiesner won the life size musical Christmas nutcracker.
The Nutcracker event was also the kick off of the Museum’s fund raising efforts to expand the museum. With many donated treasures unable to be displayed and the under-representation of Apopka’s diverse population, the Museum space is full with no room to share artifacts that are in storage! Consider donating today to help the museum expand.
November 16, 2021 - The Winonah Cottage Restoration
City Mayor Nelson, Commissioners Bankson, Becker, Smith & Velazquez, Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore and special guests, attended the celebration of History, the 100 year old ‘Winonah Cottage’ located in Errol Estates. It has been restored keeping its original design by the new owners: ‘David & Lisa Newark’. This event was hosted by The Apopka Historical Society, Ms. Maribel Brinkle. A permanent plaque and recognition was presented to the new owners at this event. A fascinating tour of the home as we learned how the new owners came to own the new home & why he was restoring to its original design. Each room was filled with artifacts, books and memorabilia; it was an educational tour . How wonderful to learn the history of this 100 year old home.
