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Our 2020 Annual Report

December 30, 2020 by Augusta West

Apalachicola Main Street, Inc. was established in 2011 as part of the Florida Main Street and National Main Street networks. The following accomplishments highlight some of our activities during 2020:

We reviewed and updated our mission statement. Our mission statement now reads, “Apalachicola Main Street’s mission is to enhance the downtown district of Apalachicola with sound economic development that promotes a sustainable future while preserving the district’s historical significance and commitment to quality of life in our community.”

We committed to actively promoting the district’s diverse historical and cultural heritage as part of the implementation of our mission. 

A vision statement was developed and adopted: “Apalachicola will continue to grow and sustainably develop economically and socially and with respect for its environmentally sensitive surroundings.  The historical and cultural traditions of the community and its diverse populations will be celebrated and promoted through public education and awareness activities. Downtown Apalachicola’s status as the preeminent commercial, civic, and cultural center of the Forgotten Coast region will be advanced while maintaining its historic character, small-town aesthetic, and unique qualities. The vision and sustainable outcomes will be a result of the continued support from our volunteers, local businesses, partnering organizations and our sponsors, who all share a belief that a strong downtown is an essential component to the integrity of a community.”

We completed a comprehensive strategic plan with input from the public and technical assistance from the Florida Main Street program.

We began work on an exhibit exploring the life of Moses Roper, who was once enslaved on an Apalachicola steamboat but escaped and authored one of the best-selling fugitive slave narratives in history. This work is supported by grant funding from Florida Humanities, the Duke Energy Foundation, Weems Memorial Hospital, and sponsors. The exhibit will be displayed at the Apalachicola Center for History, Culture, and Art.

The Design Committee held a series of clean-up events that included the Mill Pond, Franklin Square, and the downtown commercial district. Palm tree trimming and debris removal were also completed. Beautification projects were also completed on Avenue D and at the Raney House museum. The annual holiday lights were installed in downtown palms.

We completed two historical plaques, part of our ongoing historical plaque program. A dedication event was held to celebrate the installation of the plaque at the Chapman Botanical Garden, and a second plaque was completed for the Sponge Exchange Building (to be installed in January 2021).

New fundraising initiatives were developed, including a successful online auction and online raffle and an online Friends of Apalachicola Main Street fundraising campaign.

We were the recipients of grant funds from the Knight Foundation, the Franklin County CARES program, Duke Energy, and Florida Humanities.

In response to Covid-19, we implemented several new initiatives: an e-gift certificate program called ShopApalachicola.com, free mask distribution to businesses and downtown employees, a web page to provide information to business owners, and e-newsletter updates to businesses.

We were the recipients of two Florida Main Street awards: “Outstanding Image Campaign” for our There’s Still a Place video and “Outstanding Economic Vitality Initiative” for the ShopApalachicola.com program.

The Promotions Committee performed ongoing website and social media updates to keep the public informed about downtown Apalachicola businesses, events, and historical topics. This effort was ramped up to provide increased exposure to downtown businesses due to Covid-19. We also promoted information on business assistance programs such as the Payroll Protection Program and CARES grant funds.

We initiated partnerships with other entities in the community including H’COLA and the Orman House State Park.

Comprehensive financial policies and procedures were adopted by the board.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Chapman Plaque Dedication Nov. 6

October 30, 2020 by Augusta West

A plaque dedication ceremony honoring Dr. Alvan Chapman, a distinguished 19th-century botanist, will be held at the entrance to the Chapman Botanical Garden in Apalachicola on Friday, November 6, 2020 at 11 a.m. The public is invited to visit the garden for this free event.

Apalachicola Main Street Director Augusta West, Franklin County State Parks Manager Josh Hodson, and Apalachicola Mayor Kevin Begos will speak prior to the plaque’s unveiling. Visitors are also welcome to explore the antebellum Orman House museum adjacent to the botanical garden to see its collections of 19th century furnishings, clothing, and artifacts. Admission to the house museum is $2 per person.

The Chapman Botanical Garden and Orman House State Park are located at 177 5th Street in Apalachicola. Limited parking is available at the 5th Street entrance. Additional parking is available in the public parking lot near the Market Street entrance.

The event is free and open to the public.Please practice social distancing. Masks are encouraged.For further information, please call the Orman House State Park at 850-653-1209.

Filed Under: Blog, Downtown Apalachicola Happenings

Porch Fest Coming Nov. 7

October 21, 2020 by Augusta West

Announcing Apalachicola’s inaugural grassroots community music festival — where front porches become stages, yards become venues, and generosity and good will rule the day.


The Apalach Porch Fest will be held on November 7, 2020 in Downtown Apalachicola. The festival will begin at noon at Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 69 6th Street. Each musical act will perform for about an hour in a staggered line-up, with the wrap up party on the porch o the Gibson Inn.
Attendees are encouraged to bring your own chairs, blankets, coolers, drinks, and their own generosity to share with others (beads, stickers, candy, etc…)  Have fun, be creative …. it’s what the day is all about. 

Musical acts include area musicians – Clayton Mathis, Tommy Cooper, Hot Mess, Flying Fish, Cat Braaten, Smoldering’ Embers, Apalachicola Blues Authority, David Lloyd, and Mathew Hutch. Please do bring $ for tipping musicians, as they are all donating their time for this event. 
Porch Fest Apalach will have limited edition t-shirts for sale.


Franklin County Humane Society is our charity of choice for this year, and we will be collecting donations at each porch. As well, the FCHS will be at the event with adoptable pets.


Date: Saturday, November 7, 2020Where: Starts at noon at Trinity Episcopal Church, 69 6th Street; Last stop at Gibson Porch, 51 Ave C. Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Porch-Fest-Apalach-111474484059239

Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1LMzoSB00xtxWr_1uJvJbJxmHsvnnbuV8&ll=29.725608293641272%2C-84.98703790683152&z=16&fbclid=IwAR0zrWfVKdh4wQniL03dDEdzi55eIz4TiLoQd7MeT1Gj3XlhsW3PSdJyAuo

COVID-19 statement: With so many events being cancelled due to COVID-19, this event is being held outdoors, and safety measures (social distancing and masks inside) are encouraged in order to maintain every attendee, all performers, and hosts health and safety. 

Public restrooms are located at 77 Commerce St. For more information, please contact Jenny Odom at 850-316-0630 or Mick Barlament ‭at 404-312-1700‬.

Filed Under: Blog, Downtown Apalachicola Happenings

Our latest e-newsletter: Exploring Downtown Apalachicola’s Past, Present, and Future

October 16, 2020 by Augusta West

Click here to read the October 16, 2020 edition of our e-newsletter, Exploring Downtown Apalachicola’s Past, Present, and Future.

Filed Under: Blog, Downtown Apalachicola Happenings

Moses Roper Project Supported by Recently Awarded Grants from Florida Humanities and the Duke Energy Foundation

October 16, 2020 by Augusta West

Apalachicola Main Street is developing an exhibit dedicated to Moses Roper (1815-1891), who was once a north Florida slave but went on to become a prominent author and lecturer who dedicated his life to abolition. After a daring escape in 1834, Roper travelled 500 miles on foot from Marianna, Florida to Savannah, Georgia where he sailed to New York. 

In 1835, he sailed to England where abolitionists paid for his education. Roper then published one of the best-selling slave narratives in history, Narrative of the Adventures and Escape of Moses Roper from American Slavery and over the next decade lectured over 2,000 times across the British Isles. 

The planned exhibit, which will be the world’s first dedicated to exploring Roper’s life and legacy, will be displayed at the Apalachicola Center for History, Culture, and Art in February 2021. Funds raised will assist with a digital mapping project that traces the arc of his life and bold journey of survival, a process which includes intensive historical research across several states. 

The Moses Roper exhibit project would not be possible without the support of two recently awarded grants. We received a Community Project Grant from Florida Humanities. As the non-profit statewide partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Florida Humanities awards federal funds each year to local organizations to create a variety of free, humanities-rich programming to diverse communities across the state. These programs and resources seek to preserve Florida’s diverse history and heritage and to promote civic engagement and community dialogue. 

In addition, we were honored to have received a grant from the Duke Energy Foundation. Among the Foundation’s funding priorities are supporting projects that strengthen communities through impactful projects that focus on expanding cultural program access for under-served and diverse populations and supporting initiatives involving social justice and racial equity.

These grants will cover the costs of a digital interactive kiosk and the graphic design and production of the exhibit panels. 

Apalachicola Main Street, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2011 as part of the Florida Main Street and National Main Street networks. This project reflects our commitment to promoting diverse historical and cultural heritage.

To learn more, visit www.MosesRoperProject.org.

Filed Under: Blog, Downtown Apalachicola Happenings

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APALACHICOLA MAIN STREET, INC.
P.O. Box 156
Apalachicola, Florida 32329
Info@DowntownApalachicola.com
844-272-2523

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