Parramore Collection
Dublin Core
Title
Parramore Collection
Alternative Title
Parramore Collection
Subject
Orlando (Fla.)
Description
Bordered on the east by Division Street and on the west by Orange Blossom Trail (OBT), the Parramore began as an agricultural community. Parramore was historically a segregated African-American community and now comprises three separate downtown neighborhoods: Lake Dot, Callahan, and Holden-Parramore.
Once an economically thriving area and the home of many prominent black businesses and institutions, including the Wells’ Built Hotel, South Street Casino, and Wallace’s Beauty Mill, Parramore suffered under Jim Crow segregation, and has lost 65 percent of its population in the last 50 years. It is now one of Orlando’s poorest neighborhoods, with an unemployment rate of 23.8 percent in 2015. However, neighborhood institutions like the Well's Built Museum of African American History and Culture, housed in the historic Wells’ Built Hotel, have worked to preserve memorabilia from Orlando’s African-American community and the local civil rights movement. Current plans to revitalize the Parramore area focus on maintaining its black heritage and culture while building new businesses, schools, and improved housing.
Once an economically thriving area and the home of many prominent black businesses and institutions, including the Wells’ Built Hotel, South Street Casino, and Wallace’s Beauty Mill, Parramore suffered under Jim Crow segregation, and has lost 65 percent of its population in the last 50 years. It is now one of Orlando’s poorest neighborhoods, with an unemployment rate of 23.8 percent in 2015. However, neighborhood institutions like the Well's Built Museum of African American History and Culture, housed in the historic Wells’ Built Hotel, have worked to preserve memorabilia from Orlando’s African-American community and the local civil rights movement. Current plans to revitalize the Parramore area focus on maintaining its black heritage and culture while building new businesses, schools, and improved housing.
Collection Items
Dedra Jenkins' Home in Parramore
The home of Dedra Jenkins in the Parramore neighborhood of Downtown Orlando, Florida, in 1995. Jenkins ran a village home called Bwerani House from 2000 to 2009.Bordered on the east by Division Street and on the west by Orange Blossom Trail (OBT),…
Benjamin Jenkins with Pet Cat
Benjamin Jenkins, the son of Dedra Jenkins, playing with his pet cat, Sir Boots, in the yard of his home in the Parramore neighborhood of Downtown Orlando, Florida, in 1992. Bordered on the east by Division Street and on the west by Orange Blossom…
Jeremiah Jenkins with Pet Dog
Jeremiah Jenkins, the son of Dedra Jenkins, playing with a pet dog in the driveway of his home in the Parramore neighborhood of Downtown Orlando, Florida, in 1995. Bordered on the east by Division Street and on the west by Orange Blossom Trail (OBT),…
Dedra Jenkins' Family and Friends
Dedra Jenkins' family and friends in the yard of her home in the Parramore neighborhood of Downtown Orlando, Florida, in 1988. The two boys on the left are Gaius Jenkins and Enoch Jenkins. Dedra Jenkins is standing in the center with her mother,…
Nathaniel Jenkins and Dedra Jenkins on Halloween
Dedra Jenkins and her son, Nathaniel Jenkins, trick-or-treating outside of Albertsons grocery store, which was located on Orange Avenue and Michigan Street in the Parramore neighborhood of Downtown Orlando, Florida.Bordered on the east by Division…
City of Orlando Youth Baseball Team
Youth participants on the City of Orlando Youth Baseball Team, which operated from 1999 to 2003. The team eventually had youths up to 14 years old playing baseball, and would play in Grand Avenue Park. The contributor's son, Nathaniel Jenkins, is…
Game Night Restore Orlando
Students and volunteers at Restore Orlando's game night in the early-to-mid 1990s. The child behind the dartboard is Ashley Williams. Her brother, Joshua Williams, is to the right of the dartboard.Created by Jerry Applebee and Polly Applebee in 1994,…
Restore Orlando Putt-Putt Golf
An unidentified student and an unidentified volunteer at Restore Orlando's game night in the early-to-mid 1990s. Created by Jerry Applebee and Polly Applebee in 1994, the Restore Orlando's after-school program organized outings such as horseback…
Mac Wright, Yvonne Ingram, and Other Youths at Restore Orlando
Youth participants, including Mac Wright, at Restore Orlando with volunteer Yvonne Ingram, in the Parramore neighborhood of Downtown Orlando, Florida, in 1992. Wright is pictured on the right with Ingram standing behind him.Created by Jerry Applebee…
Julie Applebee with a Manager of Restore Orlando
Julie Applebee and Don, whose last name is unknown, in the library at Restore Orlando. Applebee was the daughter of Jerry Applebee and Polly Applebee, the founders of Restore Orlando.Created by the Applebees in 1994, the after-school program of…
Pastor William Andrews with Volunteers at Restore Orlando
Pastor William Andrews with the adopted daughter of Jerry Applebee and Polly Applebee, as well as an unidentified volunteer, at Restore Orlando in the Parramore neighborhood of Downtown Orlando, Florida. Pr. Andrews was the pastor at Restore Orlando,…
Christine McClendon at an Easter Egg Hunt
Christine McClendon holding an Easter basket during an Easter egg hunt at the home of her daughter, Dedra Jenkins, in the Parramore neighborhood of Downtown Orlando, Florida, in 1995. This photograph was originally discarded, along with other similar…
Applicants for the Holden Heights Front Porch Grant at Grand Avenue Park
Members of the Parramore community applying for the Holden Heights Front Porch Grant at Grand Avenue Park in Downtown Orlando, Florida, in 1999. On the left side of the picnic table, from front to back, the photograph depicts: Allison Hewitt,…
Cultural Festival at Kaley Square Park
The Cultural Festival at Kaley Square Park in the Parramore neighborhood of Downtown Orlando, Florida, in 1998. The festival featured a "dunk the pastors" booth and was created to represent local cultures. The first photograph shows a group of…
Children of Christine McClendon
The children of Christine McClendon in the Parramore neighborhood of Downtown Orlando, Florida. This photograph was taken outside of the home of McClendon's daughter, Dedra Jenkins. McClendon can be seen in the pink dress on the left. Jenkins'…
Ashley Williams at Restore Orlando's Game Night
Ashley Williams at Restore Orlando's game night. Created by Jerry Applebee and Polly Applebee in 1994, the Restore Orlando's after-school program organized outings such as horseback riding and helicopter rides. The Applebees were affiliated with the…
Children Outside of Dedra Jenkins' House
A group of 13 young children in front of Dedra Jenkins' house in the Parramore neighborhood of Downtown Orlando, Florida. From the lower right, moving counter clockwise, the children in the photo are: Demetrius Jenkins, Jr.; the eldest son of…
Cake for the Grand Opening of Bwernai House
The cake served at the grand opening of Bwerani House, a village house operated by Dedra Jenkins and her mother, Christine McClendon, beginning in 2000. The Center for Drug Free Living sponsored the grand opening, and they set up tents, sports, and…
Praise Team at Restore Orlando
The praise team at the after-school program of Restore Orlando, a church that is now known as the Emmanuel Fellowship and Worship Center. Created by Jerry Applebee and Polly Applebee in 1994, the Restore Orlando's after-school program organized…
Vanessa Rivera Painting at Restore Orlando
Vanessa Rivera working on art projects at the after-school program of Restore Orlando, a church that is now known as the Emmanuel Fellowship and Worship Center. After the students completed their homework, they were allowed to participate in…
Vanessa Rivera and Jackie Rivera at Restore Orlando
Vanessa Rivera, on the left, and Jackie Rivera, on the right, working on art projects at the after-school program of Restore Orlando, a church that is now known as the Emmanuel Fellowship and Worship Center. After the students completed their…
Vanessa Rivera at Restore Orlando
Vanessa Rivera working on homework at the after-school program of Restore Orlando, a church that is now known as the Emmanuel Fellowship and Worship Center. Created by Jerry Applebee and Polly Applebee in 1994, the Restore Orlando's after-school…
Christmas Party at Restore Orlando, 1995
Members of the community at Christmas party at Restore Orlando waiting for Santa Clause to arrive. The annual party featured Christmas trees, decorations and a bounce house. Members of the Orlando Magic, K-Mart, and other boosters often donated…
Christmas Party at Restore Orlando, 1998
Members of the community at Christmas party at Restore Orlando waiting for Santa Clause to arrive. The annual party featured Christmas trees, decorations and a bounce house. Members of the Orlando Magic, K-Mart, and other boosters often donated…
Jerry Applebee and Polly Applebee Outside of Restore Orlando
Jerry Applebee and Polly Applebee, the founders of the after-school program of Restore Orlando, in 1996. Jerry is second from the left and Polly and second from the right.Created in 1994, the program organized outings such as horseback riding and…
Restore Orlando Christmas Party, 1997
Members of the community at Christmas party at Restore Orlando waiting for Santa Clause to arrive. The annual party featured Christmas trees, decorations and a bounce house. Members of the Orlando Magic, K-Mart, and other boosters often donated…
Christmas Party at Restore Orlando, 1996
The Christmas party at Restore Orlando in 1996. The annual party features Christmas trees, decorations and a bounce house. Members of the Orlando Magic, K-Mart, and other boosters often donated gifts, such as bicycles and bags of toys. Presents were…
Orlando Rivera at Restore Orlando
Orlando Rivera speaking to young woman at a Sunday morning church service at Restore Orlando. Rivera spoke about chastity, as well as how women should act and be treated in relationships. He called this the "Virtuous Young Ladies Talk." Rivera was on…
Restore Trojans Recognized for Basketball Championship
Alex Rivera in the sanctuary of Restore Orlando. Rivera was part of the Restore Trojans basketball team, which won a championship in the mid-1990s and was recognized by the local church for its achievement. Created by Jerry Applebee and Polly…
Nolan Playing Basketball at Restore Orlando
Nolan, a childhood friend of Jeremiah Jenkins, playing basketball at the Restore Orlando (now the Emmanuel Fellowship and Worship Center) after-school program. Created by Jerry Applebee and Polly Applebee in 1994, the Restore Orlando's after-school…
Jeremiah Jenkins Playing Basketball at Restore Orlando
Jeremiah Jenkins Playing Basketball at the after-school program of Restore Orlando, a church that is now known as the Emmanuel Fellowship and Worship Center. Created by Jerry Applebee and Polly Applebee in 1994, the Restore Orlando's after-school…
Jeremiah Jenkins Riding a Bicycle
Jeremiah Jenkins learning to ride his bike on the BMX bike path at Angebilt Park, just outside of the Church of the Nazarene on Westmoreland Drive and 22nd Street. Know called Kaley Square Park, the park was used to launch hot air balloons for the…
Linda Andrews, Gloria Hill, Dedra Jenkins, Kenneth Hill
From left to right, Linda Andrews and Gloria Hill in the back row, and Dedra Jenkins and Kenneth Hill in the front row. The four children in this photograph are cousins playing outside in the summertime on the corner of Parramore Avenue and Anderson…
Dedra Jenkins on Easter Sunday, 1965
Dedra Jenkins at age 2 on Easter Sunday morning in building 3 of the Carver Court apartments, a former public housing complex in the Parramore neighborhood of Orlando, Florida. Construction on Carver Court began in 1944 on the site of a former…
Map of the Ossie Quarters
A map of the Ossie Quarters, an area in the Parramore neighborhood of Downtown Orlando, Florida. The map was drawn in 2016 by Althea Hill, based on her memory of historic businesses and homes located in the neighborhood from 1951 through 1970. Ossie…