131 S Main Street
Black History Month
Features
February 2022
Wevlyn Graves
Wevlyn Graves is a 7th generation Brooksvillian whose ancestors pioneered down to florida in the mid 1800’s enslaved by plantation owners who were seeking fertile ground and new land. Wevlyn’s parents were among the very first to integrate from the all black Moton High School to -then all white- Hernando High School.
Wevlyn graduated from Citrus High School in 2000. Wevlyn attended 2 HBCU’s, Edward Waters University & Bethune-Cookman University and then University of South Florida majoring in psychology. Wevlyn is mom to three children - Ezra, Arekah, & Ezekiel Chester
Like most early twentieth century organizations, the Historic Brooksville Woman’s Club was segregated and only open to white members until the policy changed mid-century. The Brooksville Club did not have any black members until Wevlyn Graves joined in 2017. Wevlyn was elected president of the club in 2019 and has led the way in diversifying the membership.
Address
131 S Main Street Brooksville, FL 34601
Year Built
1931
First Owner
GFWC Brooksville Woman's Club
131 N Main St, The Brooksville Herald (January 8, 1931)
131 S Main Street, Roger Xmas House Tour
The History
Organized in 1910, the members of the Brooksville Woman's Club spent several years meeting in homes and businesses. They purchased this property in 1915 and for two years grew and sold sweet potatoes to raise funds for their own building. It was constructed in 1931, not only based on plans drawn up by then-president Lena Hawkins, but also under her oversight. The Club commemorated her contributions in the mural seen on the north side of the property. Hawkins is depicted in a blue dress. This symmetrical bungalow has a central entry with a jerkinhead-shaped portico supported by Tuscan-style columns. The roof eaves are supported by brackets typical of Craftsman-style architecture. The interior retains many of its original features such as hardwood floors and a stage.
For years, the Club created both a yearbook documenting membership roles and programming and a scrapbook containing clips of member activities. These unique artifacts provide rare insight into local women’s history in the twentieth century. Like most early twentieth-century organizations, the club was segregated and only open to white members until the policy changed mid-century. The Brooksville Club did not have any black members until Wevlyn Graves joined in 2017. Elected Club President in 2019, Graves has led the way in diversifying the membership.
Throughout its history, the Club has served our community in many different ways. In 1918 they helped institute the first library in the county, offering 1033 books. They founded the annual Brooksville Christmas parade in 1975 and ran it for ten years before handing it over to the Chamber of Commerce. Recently, they have hosted High Teas during Founders’ Week and a ChristKindl Festival during Christmas. The club has raised funds for dozens of nonprofits and members have served in countless leadership positions in the county currently and throughout their history.
CITATIONS/CREDIT: GFWC document archives, Women Leading the Way, 2020, Natalie Kahler
The Architecture
Craftsman: Jerkinhead roof, double hung 1/1 windows, patent 105 wood siding.