A walking tour between the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, and the Cade Museum for Creativity + Invention will highlight great African American innovators on Feb. 21, 2015 from 1 to 4 p.m. This event will be open and free to the public.
“Cotton to the Cade” celebrates African American History Month with a special look at several African American innovators who have made great contributions to the scientific community while bettering the lives of millions. Stops will include the Cotton Club, Prioria Robotics, the Depot Building and the Cade Museum. Each location will have its portrayal of a historic inventor or entrepreneur telling their story, and a hands-on activity that highlights their great accomplishments. In addition the Cotton Club will also have tours that include music, storytelling and displays. Other partners include: LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, the Community Redevelopment Agency, GRU and GRUcom.
“Participation in the ‘Cotton to the Cade’ tours will provide an unforgettable opportunity for children and adults to experience science through living biographies and hands-on activities that teach about and honor African American scientists’ important inventions,” said Vivian Filer, Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, Inc., Board Chair.
Inventors include: James Edward Maceo West, the inventor of the foil electret microphone; Mae C. Jemison, the first African American woman to be admitted into the astronaut training program; Granville Woods, inventor of the telegraph system that allowed trains and train stations to communicate with one another; Charles Drew, the pioneer of blood plasma storage for transfusions; and Dr. Shirley Jackson, developer of the fax machine, touch tone phones, solar cells and fiber optic cables.
Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in hands-on activities organized by the Cade Museum’s program director, Patty Lipka.
“The goal is to entertain and educate attendees with a glimpse into the past and demonstrations highlighting a small sample of some of the contributions that African Americans have made to our world through their inventions and discoveries,” said Lipka. Activities include exploring fiber optics, telegraphy and electro magnetics, making speakers from common household items, and demonstrations on flight.
Attendees are encouraged to begin and end at either the Cotton Club or Cade Museum locations. Parking will be available at those locations and guide maps will be provided. Addresses for the participating locations:
Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center: 837 SE 7th Avenue
Prioria Robotics: 606 SE Depot Avenue
Depot Building: 203 SE Depot Avenue
Cade Museum for Creativity + Invention: 904 S Main Street
For more information please contact Leslie Ladendorf, 352-371-8001 or lladendorf@cademuseum.org.
