ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A familiar Central Florida charity has reached a multimillion-dollar agreement to purchase 117 acres of the historic Hungerford property from Orange County Public Schools, with plans to return the land to the Eatonville community.
Eatonville is widely recognized as one of the nation’s first self-governing Black municipalities, founded in 1887 by freedmen and their descendants. It is also the hometown of celebrated author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, whose work helped preserve African American folklore and whose legacy continues to shape American literature.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
For decades, the future of the Hungerford property has been the focus of heated debates. Once home to the Hungerford School, a pioneering institution of education for Black students in the segregated South, the land is considered a cornerstone of Eatonville’s identity and heritage.
Eatonville Mayor Angie Gardner called the new deal “bigger than big,” saying it marks a turning point for a community that has fought to preserve its history.
“This is going to restore hope and bring about change. A necessary change and a growth period for our town and its residents,” Gardner said.
In past years, outside developers proposed plans for the property, but many Eatonville residents opposed them, fearing the town’s culture and control would be erased. Gardner says this time is different.
“In the past, we’ve had developers come for that land before, but their ideas were for them. It wasn’t for the town. This is different. We asked residents what they wanted - and now we have a 100-year organization with a proven record of helping communities saying, ‘We’ll get it done for you.’ That’s huge.”
That organization is Dr. Phillips Charities, which is stepping in to buy the land and invest in Eatonville’s future.
Terry Prather, chairman of the Dr. Phillips Charities board, pledged that the project will honor Eatonville’s legacy.
“We will work very, very hard to make sure that there’s little to no displacement of residents. We want to increase the percentage of owner-occupied homes, stabilize the community, and protect the legacy and the history of Eatonville,” Prather said.
Michelle Fort’s said her grandparents moved to Eatonville 62 years ago. Her mom still lives in Eatonville. Her family says they are ready for a plan to take shape.
“We want better for our home,” Fort said.
“We don’t want a handout. We want somebody to partner in to say we believe in what you believe in.”
So what’s in the plan?
Under the agreement Dr. Phillips Charities will pay $1 million upfront. The rest of the purchase price is forgiven as milestones are completed.
Year 2: A pavilion for festivals and expanded green space
Year 3: Eatonville Early Learning Center, with priority for local families and Hungerford Elementary staff
Year 4: Community hub and healthcare facility
Gardner said while she expects some pushback, she believes this agreement reflects the will of the people.
“I’m the chief executive officer, mayor of the town of Eatonville. That’s my job. That’s what the people hired me to do... make the hard decisions.”
The mayor says she is ready to put years of anticipation into action.
The Orange County School Board is scheduled to vote on the agreement Sept. 30.