Jenkin's HouseWest Palm Beach, FL |
As part of the City of West Palm Beach’s vigorous preservation efforts for the historic Northwest Neighborhood, the Jenkins House has been restored and renovated into a new African American Cultural Center to serve the local community. Song + Associates, like most professional organizations involved in the project, donated its services to this very important community project.
The Jenkins House, built in 1946, was one of the grandest and most elegant homes in the black neighborhood and is considered a symbol of success for those African Americans that faced legal segregation in Palm Beach County until the segregation ordinance was repealed in 1960.
Joseph Jenkins was one of the first black pharmacists in the Northwest Neighborhood. The school district purchased the home from the Jenkins family in 1996 to make room for a new wing for a nearby elementary school. The district gave the house to the City of West Palm Beach with the condition that the structure be moved from the site. The City moved the house to the main thoroughfare of the Northwest Neighborhood in the heart of the City’s Historic District. The character-defining features of the two-story masonry
home include an entrance sheltered by a two-story portico with a flat roof
supported by stucco piers and a small balcony above the entrance. Other features
which were also retained included:
• gable, clay tile roof
• stucco chimney at west gable end
• balcony with wrought iron railing over entrance
• stucco exterior wall with clapboard trim in gable ends
• side lights flanking front entrance door
• small roof over west entrance door
The first floor of the center has an open waiting/reception area that adjoins a multiuse gallery showcasing local African American artists, community education, and outreach programs for children and adults to inspire a greater understanding of the role of art in society. The gallery also serves as a dance area with ballet bars and mirrors for small dance groups. Soft seating is incorporated in the corners of the gallery. The second floor areas are used by local residents and staff: multipurpose room, conference room and two offices. The conference room is equipped with multimedia equipment.