While February marks the beginning of Black History Month, there is a rich African-American culture in the county that can be remembered.

One of the most notable African-American imprints in Charlotte County continues to be the Central High Museum.

The museum is located in the old library of the former High School in Charlotte Court House.

Central High was the former high school of African-American students in Charlotte County.  Before Central High was established, the Charlotte Training School opened in 1928.

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History explained the origins of Black History Month and said, “in 1976, fifty years after the first celebration, the association used its influence to institutionalize the shifts from a week to a month and from Negro history to Black history. Since the mid-1970s, every American president, Democrat and Republican, has issued proclamations endorsing the Association’s annual theme.”

While the longstanding tradition of celebrating Black History Month continues each February, the significance of Black History in Charlotte County can be found year-round.

For many, Black History is an identity and way of life.

Not only should Black History month be recognized as a time to note influential contributions made by African-Americans, but it should be seen as a time when people from all backgrounds and walks of life come together to honor the past in order to look forward to accomplishments of the future.

This logic can be applied in many situations.

A quote by Bil Keane said, “yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”

This month and every other month of the year, remember the important history in Charlotte County that contributed to the current state of affairs that many residents have grown to love and call home.

Italia Gregory is a staff reporter for The Charlotte Gazette. She can be reached at italia.gregory@thecharlottegazette.com