The Zora Neale Hurston Festival revitalizes the life and works of one of the Harlem Renaissance's biggest icons, Zora Neale Hurston.
When Zora was unable to pay her apartment rent, Dr. Benton, who had just completed the construction of this house, allowed Zora to move in and live rent free. Dr. Benton recognized and appreciated Zora’s talent, and assisting her was just one of many great services he performed for the community. Dr. Benton and his older daughter, Arlena, took turns dropping in on Zora, frequently taking her a plate for dinner. “She was a typical artist,” Arlena Benton Lee remembered. “When she was caught up in her work, she didn’t seem to think to cook” (Valerie Boyd, Wrapped in Rainbows: the Life of Zora Neale Hurston, 2003). Zora’s neighbors also brought her plates of food. Arlena recalled that Zora was a frequent dinner guest at the home of Dr. Benton and his family. On Sunday afternoon, Dr. Benton picked Zora up to take her to his home for dinner with his daughters, Arlena and Margaret, and his son-in-law, Julius Lee, Jr.
Since Zora’s death in 1960, the Zora Neale Hurston House has been maintained privately by the Benton Family, including Clem C. Benton, Jr., Arlena Benton Lee, and Margaret A. Benton. The City of Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County thank the Benton family for their efforts on behalf of Zora and our community’s history. The Trail marker was installed with permission of the Benton Family.
The Festival is set in the small quaint town of Eatonville, Florida where Zora Neale hurston hailed from. The culture and love of the people is easily evident from the many wonderful activities.
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The house is on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of Interior and National Park Service in 1991. In 1995, it was moved 500 feet due north from its original location at 1734 School Court, to allow for expansion of Lincoln Park Academy where Zora briefly taught in 1958.
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