CLEWISTON — The Clewiston Museum invites the community to join us for a special evening of free culture and conversation during "Museum After Hours" on Thursday, Feb. 12. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the featured program beginning at 7 p.m. This month's event will feature author and speaker Lu Vickers and the program “Remembering Paradise Park,” which is being presented in partnership with the Florida Humanities’ America 250 Florida Talks program.

In celebration of African American History Month, the presentation features a place that was created in Florida by Cypress Gardens owners Carl Ray and Shorty Davidson for African Americans tourists. Located downriver from Cypress Gardens, they dubbed their creation “Paradise Park for Colored People” and put Eddie Vereen in charge. From 1949 to 1969, the former Silver Springs boat captain ran one of the most popular places for African Americans to visit. The presentation, based on  "Remembering Paradise Park: Tourism and Segregation at Silver Springs," discusses the history and impact of Paradise Park on Florida’s tourism industry.

Lu Vickers was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship for fiction as well as two Florida Book Awards and three Florida Individuals Artists Fellowships. In addition to writing Remembering Paradise Park with C. Graham, she has written Breathing Underwater, a novel and three other Florida history books: Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids, Cypress Gardens, America’s Tropical Wonderland, and Weeki Wachee, Thirty Years of Underwater Photography.

The evening’s activities will also feature a special exhibit from the Beta Alpha Epsilon Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. The exhibit is in celebration of the chapter’s 10th anniversary. as the sole chartered chapter in Clewiston. Chartered on Feb. 16, 2016, this graduate chapter proudly upholds the rich legacy of Zeta Phi Beta Inc., an international sorority founded at Howard University on Jan. 16, 1920, and guided by the enduring principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood.

The chapter was established through the vision and dedication of seven dynamic women who worked tirelessly to bring Zeta’s presence to the Clewiston community: A. Littles, C. Granville Scott, C. Granville Vickers, E. Baity, S. Brown, D. McBride, and T. Warren.

Since its chartering, Beta Alpha Epsilon Zeta has remained steadfast in its commitment to community service, youth development, and civic engagement, continuing the proud tradition of leadership and meaningful impact that defines Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated throughout the Clewiston area.

Florida Talks is one of Florida Humanities’ longest-running public programs. The organization’s speakers’ bureau features more than 30 exceptional scholars, journalists, authors, and humanities experts and over 60 brand new and returning programs.

Florida Talks offers nonprofit organizations across the state an accessible way to host engaging speakers who present Florida’s history, heritage, and culture through historical and contemporary lenses.

Throughout 2026, Florida Humanities is offering Florida Talks programs under its America 250: Everlasting Florida initiative. Programs will cover the enduring spirit of Florida in the larger context of our nation’s history. From speaker series, virtual programs and traveling exhibits, each program will show that few states encapsulate the American experiment so vividly as the Sunshine State. Learn more about Florida Humanities America 250 programming at floridahumanities.org/america250.

Following the presentation, guests are invited to enjoy a delightful food and wine reception, providing an excellent opportunity to mingle and share insights from the program.

This free event is suitable for all ages, and we encourage everyone to come out and experience the magic of the museum after hours.

The Clewiston Museum is a private not-for-profit that relies on donations, grants, the support of its members, and fundraising events to remain in operation. It is located at 109 Central Avenue in Clewiston, and the hours of operation are Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday hours are by appointment only. Contact the museum at 863-983-2870 or via email at clewistonmuseum@embarqmail.com.