Zora Neale Hurston’s ‘Native Village’: Historic Eatonville Remembered

The UCF History Department exhibit, Zora Neale Hurston’s ‘Native Village’: Historic Eatonville Remembered, hosted on the first-floor gallery wall in the John C. Hitt Library, explores Hurston’s anthropological research into the people, history and culture of Eatonville. Curated by UCF Associate Professor of History and Director of Public History Dr. Scot French, the exhibit features photographs related to Hurston’s investigation of folklore and song in Eatonville, an outline of Eatonville’s history, covers from Hurston’s books, as well as recently discovered historical sources related to the community.

Zora Neale Hurston, the outspoken author of African-American literature, wrote much about Eatonville, the historic African American community where she grew up. Hurston is renowned not only for her literary skill and wit, but for the anthropological concepts and methodologies which she brought to her work.

The exhibit itself is part of UCF’s Zora! Celebration. The exhibit is featured with the support of the Zora Neale Hurston National Musuem of Art, where several of the pieces originate.