History of Lake Apopka Farmworkers Featured in Exhibit with Red Quilt

Apopka Historical Society Hosts Reception at Museum, Linda Lee as Speaker

Since mid-August, the Red Quilt of the Lake Apopka Farmworker Memorial Quilt Project, has been on exhibit at the Museum of the Apopkans on 6th Street in our South Apopka Community.  In a display that includes photos, copies of the quilt brochures, the book Fed Up: The High Costs of Cheap Foods, the Lake Apopka Farmworkers Environmental Health Study report, archival newspaper articles, and individual quilt squares by primary quilt maker, Linda Lee, the exhibit is one of the most comprehensive and attractive displays that Central Florida has seen.

On Sunday, October 7th, the Apopka Historical Society hosted a reception for the exhibit and the Farmworker Association of Florida, with Society President, Francina Boykin, introducing Keynote Speaker, Linda Lee, who talked about her personal experiences as a farmworker and of her experience of making the quilts.  In addition, author Dale Slongwhite was present, telling her experience of how she became involved in and committed to writing a book about the Lake Apopka Farmworkers.  She read excerpts from her book of Ms. Lee’s personal story, after which both the Ms. Lee and Ms. Slongwhite took questions from the audience. 

FWAF long-time staff member, Luckner Millien, was present, as well, and mentioned the need to do research on and incorporate the history of Haitian farmworkers in the Apopka area into the overall museum collection.  All agreed that this would be an important project to undertake.

On Sunday, October 7th, the Apopka Historical Society hosted a reception for the exhibit and the Farmworker Association of Florida, with Society President, Francina Boykin, introducing Keynote Speaker, Linda Lee, who talked about her personal experiences as a farmworker and of her experience of making the quilts.  In addition, author Dale Slongwhite was present, telling her experience of how she became involved in and committed to writing a book about the Lake Apopka Farmworkers.

With autumn and Halloween themed sweets and refreshments, the event concluded with conversation and conviviality.  The quilt will be on display through the end of October.