EATONVILLE, Fla. – “Growing up in Eatonville, it’s full of culture. Eatonville in and of itself is historic so there’s a lot of value in the community,” fifth-generation Eatonville native Ruthi Critton said.
Eatonville was the first black-incorporated municipality in the U.S., established in 1887 by freed slaves. One of the founders, Joseph Clark, was Ruthi’s great grandfather’s brother.
“So that would make him ‘Uncle Joe’ for me. We’ve had family members that have stayed here since the incorporation including our great grandmother who was the town’s first postmistress,” Ruthi said. “When you think about the contribution, they had to society. They didn’t just incorporate a town, they incorporated a town for freed slaves who didn’t have anywhere else to go. They could work in different places but couldn’t go home in those same communities, so Eatonville gave them a place to build a home and family.”
“Juneteenth, to mean, is a testament to doing one thing right. Slavery wasn’t abolished overnight and the effects are still relevant today in our societies. Everyday we’re healing more and more as a society and learning about the things we did right and the things we did wrong... It’s worth celebrating,” Ruthi said.
Ruthi is celebrating Juneteenth by sharing the heritage and history of Eatonville with the community at the Eatonville Branch of the Orange County Library System. It’s just one of a series of events held at OCLS libraries throughout the county.
“It’s essential for us to have a library in historic Eatonville because we understand the importance of reading, what we get from it which is understanding of knowledge and wisdom. Being able to have that resource right here in the community accessible to our seniors, adults and children. We’re grateful to have OCLS in our backyard,” Ruthi said. “It’s almost nostalgic. I remember when the library was first brought here.... I came here for a plethora of things: for school projects, computers, access to the internet. As an adult coming here and seeing the library still being used in the same ways, it’s amazing.”
The Eatonville Branch of OCLS opened in 2005 honoring acclaimed author and Eatonville resident Zora Neal Hurston. Many of her books can be found on the shelves of the library as well as their digital collection.
Ruthi now brings her children to the library for educational programs and events, continuing the legacy of Eatonville.
“I want my kids to know they are more than a number... I hope my children respect the hard work that occurred for them to have the freedoms they have today so they’re always part of the solution and not part of the problem,” Ruthi said.
The Eatonville Branch of the Orange County Library System is located at 200 E. Kennedy Blvd. in Eatonville and all of the resources, classes and events are free and open to the public.