rena_blades_charlene_jones_jan_rodusky_cc_fc.jpgDELRAY BEACH — The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum has received a prestigious 2014 Muse Award from the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.

The Delray Beach museum, the only African-American history museum of its kind in Palm Beach County, was presented with the Chairs’ Choice Award for its significant contributions in bringing the black history of Palm Beach County to life through exhibits, lectures, festivals, and cultural education and enrichment programs.

It was one of 10 cultural organizations to receive the recognition.

“We’re honored to have been selected as a recipient of the 2014 Muse Award and to be in the company of nine other cultural organizations recognized by the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County,” said Museum Director Charlene F. Jones. “This award is a validation of the value of the programs and services we provide as well as the value of Black-American cultural programming in Palm Beach County.”

Created nearly a decade ago, the Muse Awards are designed to celebrate and bring attention to outstanding art and culture in the county, and to raise funds for educational programs put on by the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. The awards were presented during ceremonies on March 13.

The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County is one of several organizations that support the Spady Museum and make it possible for the museum to preserve the history of the black community through careful and consistent archiving and also through exhibits, special events and programming for children.

“We’re very appreciative of the cultural council’s ongoing support, which helps make events such as our Spady Day Heritage Festival, a community-wide celebration of Black-American culture, possible,” said Gillian Ebanks-Knowles, president of the board of directors. “With the help of organizations such as the cultural council, we’ve been able to open the door of our museum to thousands of visitors and share the rich past of a community that is an integral part of Palm Beach County’s history.”

Located at 170 NW Fifth Ave., in Delray Beach, the museum hours are: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday-Friday; Saturday by appointment. Admission: $10; members are free. For other information, call 561-279-8883 or visit spadymuseum.org