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D._ Letter Supporting Grant Application for Restoration of the Macedonia <br />Black Church <br />ON MOTION by Commissioner Eggert, SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Adams, the Board unanimously <br />authorized the Chairman to -direct a letter to <br />the Historic Preservation Advisory Council, <br />Department of State, Division of Historical <br />Resources, supporting the grant application <br />for restoration of the Macedonia Black Church <br />submitted by the Indian River County <br />Historical Society. <br />January 5, 1995 <br />Mr. Frederick Gaske <br />Historic Preservation Advisory Council <br />Dept. of State, Div. of Historical Resources <br />R.A. Gray Building <br />500 South Bronough St. <br />Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250 <br />Dear Mr. Gaske: <br />The Board of County Commissioners strongly support the <br />grant application for restoration of the Macedonia Black <br />Church submitted by the,' Indian River County Historical <br />Society. <br />In the late 1890s, Henry Flagler built his railroad <br />south along the east coast of Florida. He employed black <br />laborers to lay the bed and tracks and maintain the <br />railroad. These men with their families established homes <br />near the.railroad depots in Sebastian, Wabasso and Gifford, <br />creating small black communities. They also established <br />their churches, one of which is the Macedonia Black Church <br />which was built in'Sebastian in 1908. Today it is the last <br />remaining original black church building' of its style along <br />the entire east coast of Florida. The proposed restoration <br />would provide the Gifford Civic Progressive League with an <br />information center and serve as a black history' museum. <br />This building and museum will be part of a memorial park <br />dedicated to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. The park and <br />the black history museum will further offer an educational <br />opportunity to the students in the County. Under the <br />leadership of the Gifford Civic Progressive League many <br />improvements have been made to the main business area of <br />Gifford. The addition of this restored' historic building <br />and its adaptive use will provide encouragement and a sense <br />of pride as this community is revitalized. <br />Z <br />truly,. <br />Kenneth R. Macht <br />Chairman <br />5 <br />January 10, 1995 <br />600K 94 o�fjc 0 <br />