The commemoration also served as a fundraiser to build a memorial that will honor the students of Lincoln High School. The school s closure 50 years ago marked a painful episode that left hard feelings and deep disappointment, as well as pride in what had been. The alumni groups of both Lincoln High and A.L. Mebane High have remained active since both schools were closed as part of desegregation.
Lincoln High closed because of federal desegregation law
Now Lincoln Middle School, Lincoln High became the second accredited all-Black public high school in in Florida in 1926. The school was an epicenter for the Gainesville Black community.
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Home/Arts and Entertainment/Journey To Juneteenth Scavenger Hunt Highlights Historical Black Figures
Journey To Juneteenth Scavenger Hunt Highlights Historical Black Figures
By Curtis Michaud
May 24, 2021
Depot Park was full of young children Saturday looking for combs, chalk and photos of Black leaders from Alachua County. The children’s scavenger hunt for Black history artifacts was one of the first events in Gainesville’s monthlong “Journey to Juneteenth” celebration.
From May 20 to June 19, the city is officially celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It’s the first time Gainesville is dedicating a month to the holiday, starting with the day Florida announced emancipation and culminating in the widely recognized day in June.