Gene Robinson's Memories of Virginia Key Beach
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Material Information

Title:
Gene Robinson's Memories of Virginia Key Beach
Series Title:
Virginia Key Beach Park Trust Oral Histories
Publication Date:
Language:
English
Physical Description:
00:18:37

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Virginia Key Beach Park (Miami, Fla.)
Oral history
Historic preservation
Genre:
Video recordings
Spatial Coverage:
Florida -- Miami -- Virginia Key Beach Park
Coordinates:
25.735959 x -80.155953

Notes

General Note:
Eugene "Gene" Robinson Jr. is interviewed about Virginia Key Beach. Robinson was born on February 16, 1945. Robinson remembers that his grandmother, Francis Mabel Blakely Robinson, used to be a classical singer who travelled across the country. Robinson grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and his grandmother talked about places where she travelled and sung. One of the places she talked about was "American Beach" in north Florida. Then she talked about Virginia Key beach in south Florida. She said that Virginia Key beach was a "great place." She notes that back then, when people visited Virginia Key beach, they had a "celebration." Robinson moved to south Florida in 1991 and on the weekends he worked as a chef for a company. One weekend, they told him that they would be working an event at Virginia Key beach. Robinson said he would like to work the event in the early 1990s. Robinson said that when he arrived at the beach, he was not impressed by its appearance. Robinson then learned about the Virginia Key Beach Trust and he reached out to the Trust to offer help. Robinson says that this interview marks his first visit to Virginia Beach since the restoration. Robinson's grandmother told him that when she visited Miami, she did not care what the weather was, she planned to visit Virginia Key beach. Robinson said that his grandmother lived in Winnebago County, Illinois and that she met people like Marian Anderson. She sang in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Robinson says that what he remembers most about the Virginia Key beach preservation efforts is working with Athalie Range. He remembers that when he learned that she was the impetus behind the preservation of Virginia Key beach, he knew it would be successful. Robinson's advice for future generations is that they need to take advantage of following their elder’s advice and to chase their dreams. Robinson notes that one of the major changes in south Florida is the shift in education for African Americans. He notes that up until the 1950s, many African Americans only attended school during the fall. In the spring, they worked in the fields. Then, they pass that education orientation on to their kids who continue to struggle in the Florida educational system.

Record Information

Source Institution:
Virginia Key Beach Park Trust
Holding Location:
Florida International University
Rights Management:
No copyright - United States
Resource Identifier:
FIVK045608

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