Marshall Middle School receives portrait of namesake
Marshall Middle School now has a professional portrait of its namesake thanks to a partnership between the Improvement League of Plant City and the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center.
On Jan. 12, the groups presented the portrait of Edward Jackson Marshall to Principal Daphne Blanton. Marshall was born in 1869 and moved to Plant City in 1901. His parents were slaves on the former Craft family plantation in Edgefield, South Carolina. Upon arriving in Plant City he purchased a home in Lincoln Park and worked as an electrician. Marshall is credited for aiding the installation of the first electric light system in the town.
In 1920 he convinced Plant City to deed property to the school board for Midway Academy, a schoolhouse used to educate black children from first to eighth grade. In 1951 it was converted to a high school and in 1957 Marshall Junior High School was built on Maryland Avenue. That school was converted to a middle school in 1995.
However, the school did not have a photo of Marshall to hang on its walls. The Improvement League asked the Archives to step in. They were able to find a small photo that showed a tiny, blurry picture of Marshall and digitally reproduce a large portrait.
Ione Townsend, chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee, spoke on following in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s footsteps and working together to build an America that was welcoming for all. Gentlemen’s Quest, a club that champions “Advancement Via Individual Development (AVID)” and teaches students about integrity, empathy and more, shared their favorite quotes from King. They also performed several songs for the group.
Herman Hargrett, a former teacher at Marshall, shared stories on what it was like growing up in the school and then later teaching in those same halls. The Improvement League said the dedication would allow students to see the man who gave so much back to the city and give them a chance to hear the stories of all he did for the community.
New boutique rolls out strawberry welcome party
Jayme Harris, a Plant City native and USAF veteran, opened A Peace of Plant City last week. The new boutique held a grand opening fit for strawberry royalty. A giant strawberry-themed cake adorned with peace signs, dozens of cupcakes and fruit punch awaited guests who popped in to join in the festivities.
Attendees also had the chance to take part in a photo opportunity with a giant strawberry Harris said was designed exclusively for the store. A Peace of Plant City will offer locally made strawberry themed shirts, hats, jewelry, organic soaps, lip balm, home decor and more. The boutique also has several veteran-made pens and unique gift items.