'Intertwining art and history': Polk County History Center hosts events on Black culture

Breanna A. Rittman, The Ledger
·2 min read
The Polk County History Center will have a hat chat on Saturday with artist Robert Malone who is responsible for their "Grandeur & Grace" exhibit.
The Polk County History Center will have a hat chat on Saturday with artist Robert Malone who is responsible for their "Grandeur & Grace" exhibit.

The Polk County History Center has two events scheduled for Saturday to celebrate Black History Month.

First will be the “Grandeur & Grace” Hat Chat at 11 a.m. The Grandeur & Grace exhibit is a collection of artworks by Polk County artist Ronald Malone. He was inspired to paint women wearing church hats after seeing a family out shopping one Sunday. Malone said he will be on hand during the event to speak about the portraits.

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“We’re going to introduce the ladies who are featured in the portraits," said historic preservation manager Myrtice Young. "In addition, one of the hat ladies, Virginia Cummings Lane, is going to present a program on the history of hat wearing, hat etiquette and the types of hats.”

The exhibit opened Feb. 5 and is expected to remain for three months.

Charles B. Warren, left, and Canter Brown Jr., pose with the newly published book, "From Slavery To Community Builder," in front of the L.B. Brown House in Bartow. Warren wrote the book, and Brown contributed the opening chapter. Warren will be at the Polk County History Center on Saturday for a book signing.
Charles B. Warren, left, and Canter Brown Jr., pose with the newly published book, "From Slavery To Community Builder," in front of the L.B. Brown House in Bartow. Warren wrote the book, and Brown contributed the opening chapter. Warren will be at the Polk County History Center on Saturday for a book signing.

After the hat chat, the history center will host a book signing with Charles B. Warren at 2 p.m. Warren authored “From Slavery to Community Builder: The Story of Lawrence B. Brown” and will be joined by Clifton Lewis, curator of the LB Brown House Museum. The pair will take turns reading passages from the book.

Books will be available for sale on Saturday - paperbacks are $25 and hardcovers $35.

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“Mr. Malones art with the hats and these beautiful ladies interprets history and we have the story of L.B. Brown and his contributions to culture,” said Young. “I think it’s intertwining art and history to tell the story of our culture and our humanity. I hope that everybody can take that away and have that wonderful feeling about how the intertwine.”

For more information about the events call 863-534-4386. The Polk County History Center is located at 100 E. Main Street in Bartow.

Breanna A. Rittman writes news features for The Ledger. Send your feature ideas to BRittman@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk County History Center hosts two events on Saturday for Black History Month