The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), representing Young Performing Artists, Inc. (YPAs), has submitted a new petition to the National Park Service. This petition calls for a detailed review of Florida's nomination of the Community of Royal to the National Register of Historic Places.
This marks Florida's second attempt at nominating Royal. The initial nomination by the Florida State Historic Preservation Officer (FL SHPO) was sent to the Keeper last summer. YPAs supported the nomination but highlighted several deficiencies, such as omitted qualifying properties and inadequate district boundary justifications. The Keeper agreed with these concerns and returned the nomination for corrections.
On February 2, FL SHPO resubmitted the nomination without addressing these issues or involving the community in the process, as noted in YPAs' current petition before the Keeper.
"We are disappointed that the state of Florida deprived Royal residents of their right to be heard on the second nomination to the National Register," said Beverly Steele, founder of YPAs. "It is hard to understand how, after having the nomination back for nearly five months, the FL SHPO is still getting it wrong."
YPAs are advocating for Royal's listing at a national significance level, rather than just state and local levels as currently proposed. However, FL SHPO has not engaged with this aspect despite suggestions from the Keeper to collaborate with YPAs on this matter.
"While we continue to wholeheartedly believe that the Community of Royal deserves to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, we will continue to lift up YPAs' objections to Florida’s flawed nominations," stated Kirsten Anderson, deputy legal director for Economic Justice at SPLC. "YPAs are requesting that the Keeper return the second nomination with clear direction for collaboration."
Royal was established in the 1860s by emancipated African Americans who acquired land through the Homestead Act of 1862. Many Black families have maintained this land across generations despite challenges like racial violence and economic displacement.
"It is not only Florida’s history but American history," added Ms. Steele. "Seeking nomination to protect and preserve this historic community from erasure by encroaching development."