Well'sbuilt Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wells' Built Hotel
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Orlando, Florida |
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| Built | 1926 |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000006 |
| Added to NRHP | February 4, 2000 |
The Wells' Built Hotel is a special historic building in Orlando, Florida. It used to be a hotel, but now it's a museum about African-American history. You can find it in the middle of Orlando's old Parramore neighborhood.
Dr. William Monroe Wells built this hotel and a nearby entertainment spot. He built them for African Americans who were visiting Orlando. Back then, many hotels only allowed white people. This hotel was a safe and welcoming place. Many famous African-American performers stayed here. On February 4, 2000, it became a part of the National Register of Historic Places in the U.S..
A Special Place in History
Dr. William M. Wells was a very important African-American doctor in Orlando. He lived there in the early 1900s. Dr. Wells was one of Orlando's first black doctors. He came to Orlando in 1917.
In 1921, he built this hotel for African Americans. At that time, many hotels in Florida did not allow black people to stay. Soon after, he built the South Street Casino. This was an entertainment place for black entertainers who were touring. The hotel and the Casino became very important. They were a central part of the African-American music scene.
Famous Visitors
Many famous African-American performers stayed at the hotel. They also performed at the Casino. Some of these amazing artists include:
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Count Basie
- Ray Charles
- Cab Calloway
- Ivory Joe Hunter
- B.B. King
- Louis Armstrong
- Guitar Slim
- Bo Diddley
Other important African Americans also visited. These included sports legend Jackie Robinson. Also, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall stayed there.
Today, the South Street Casino is gone. But the original hotel is still standing. It has been turned into a museum. This museum shares the history of African Americans.
Wells' Built Museum
The hotel is now home to the Wells' Built Museum. It opened its doors in June 2009. This museum is about 6,000 square feet in size. It holds many items from Orlando's African-American community.
The museum also has displays about the Civil Rights Movement in Orlando. You can also see some African art there. This art is on loan from local collectors.
What You Can See
Some of the exhibits you can explore include:
- A hotel guestroom from the 1930s. It has real furniture and decorations from that time.
- Information about the South Street Casino. This was the performance hall next to the hotel.
- Items that belonged to Dr. William Monroe Wells.
- Other parts of Orlando's African-American heritage.
The museum's full name is the Wells' Built Museum of African American History and Culture.
