American Beach

The pavilion at American Beach on Amelia Island, on a linen card from about 1930 to 1945. In January 1935 the Afro-American Life Insurance Company of Jacksonville, led by A. L. Lewis, Florida's first Black millionaire, bought 33 acres here so that Black Floridians would have a beach of their own during segregation, with the motto recreation and relaxation without humiliation. The company built the pavilion for its outings and sold lots for cottages, and Zora Neale Hurston, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles and Hank Aaron came. Hurricane Dora and the Civil Rights Act both arrived in 1964. The pavilion is gone; the homes, a museum and NaNa, the 60-foot dune MaVynee Betsch fought to save, remain.

Printed on enhanced matte paper in 10 x 8 and 14 x 11 unframed, and 16 x 12 and 18 x 12 framed or unframed. Framed pieces come in a black, white, or red oak alder frame under clear acrylic, ready to hang; the matted option adds a white mat inside the frame. Unframed prints ship flat. Made to order, so allow 2 to 5 business days before it ships.