It is a work-in-progress – growing and thriving from the care and nurturing people who cherish the past and have faith in the future. It is a labor of love – constructed piece by piece by hands that used and saved and donated every item on display or in our inventory for use later. It is as humble as a patchwork quilt made from bits and pieces of our lives and as elegant as the finest tapestry woven from costly thread.
The museum houses a permanent exhibit of the history of African Americans in northeast Florida. It replicates scenes of everyday life, documents the past with photographs and artifacts and features a special presentation on native sons James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson called Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing.
The gallery is spacious and features a wide variety of exhibits, including fine art collections, folk art, local art, and history exhibitions throughout the year. As well as educations programs for children and schools.
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Ritz+Theatre+and+La+Villa+Museum/LaVilla+Museum.htm
A tribute to former Jacksonville resident and Civil Rights leader, Philip Randolph.
The Woolworth counter and stools where Civil Rights sit-in demonstrations were held.
The Harlem of the South: Back when there was life and buildings on Ashley Street.
James Weldon Johnson tells his life story, including a segment about growing up in Jacksonville.
Museum Hours & Admission
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday- Friday
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sunday
2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Museum Admission:
Adults - $6.00
Children & Seniors - $3.00
Groups of 25 or more - $5.00 for Adults
$3.00 for children & seniors
For more information: http://www.coj.net/Departments/Ritz+Theatre+and+La+Villa+Museum/LaVilla+Museum.htm
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JeffreyS
March 26, 2009, 09:36:53 AMGood article I will visit.
Shwaz
March 26, 2009, 09:48:15 AMI believe I saw some of this as an exhibit at the MOSH a couple years ago.
Coolyfett
March 26, 2009, 02:43:28 PMHmm interesting.
thelakelander
March 26, 2009, 03:24:07 PMInteresting indeed. Its just unfortunate we have to see what LaVilla was in a museum. Imagine what St. Augustine would be like today if all they had was a museum showing what the historic district used to look like.
Deuce
March 26, 2009, 03:51:01 PMTrue dat, lake.
I-10east
March 26, 2009, 06:51:27 PMI highly recommend this museum to visit atleast once. The James Weldon Johnson (with his brother Rosamond) display was excellent. Many of the displays make you feel as if you literally took a trip back in the 50's, such as the Woolworth's soda fountain display.
heights unknown
March 26, 2009, 10:40:21 PMWow; next time I'm in Jax I must see and visit being that I grew up in LaVilla.
Heights Unknown
mtraininjax
March 28, 2009, 01:38:54 AMNo lines, no waiting, no one knows about the museum. More people pass through City Hall looking at the history on the walls than pass through the Lavilla museum. A travesty, it is a great place!
Omarvelous09
June 04, 2009, 11:47:58 AMEveryone should go at least once... pretty decent exhibit.