Heritage Village located on Sanders Avenue has been a topic of conversation for several months with residents concerned about its future. The property, owned by the Baptist University of Florida, was the “brainchild” of past president, Dr. Thomas Kinchen and includes mid-nineteenth century to early twentieth century structures “that Kinchen had moved and restored to include three churches, two log cabins, a one-room schoolhouse, and three homes,” according to an article by then- Baptist College of Florida in 2019. The future of those homes and the “Village” is unclear with many speaking of their concerns on social media.
After receiving information that Heritage Village will allegedly be demolished on Monday, June 24, The Graceville News has reached out again to BUF, specifically its administration via email. At time of this posting BUF representatives had not responded to the most recent email inquiring about the Monday demolition. However, in an email from April, Executive Assistant to the BUF President, Lee Hyatt responded to an email from The Graceville News looking for clarification on “rumors about the demolition of Heritage Village” that BUF President Dr. Clayton Cloer and “the University has no comment.” In April, The Graceville News had also contacted the City of Graceville on the matter with City Manager Michelle Watkins emailing back, "The buildings and properties are privately owned by the college and the city has no jurisdiction over the matter."
As previously reported on Monday, April 29 a social media post from a descendent of one of Graceville’s oldest residential homes, that now sits on the Heritage Village property, brought up the question of the Village’s future to the forefront. A post on social media by Graceville native Bill Clark, who grew up in the Wall/Clark home, brought attention to the location and the future of the structures. Clark wrote, “It is rumored around that The Baptist University of Florida in Graceville, is looking to do away with the Heritage Village where this beautiful old home of ours stands. The Clark/Wall house has been there since the year 2000. It was moved there for preservation, but it seems [the] new administration of [the] school is looking to do something else with the property. If you get a chance to visit any time soon, stop by and make some memories.” Mr. Clark made it very clear in comments that the post wasn’t “meant as criticism but an acknowledgments of changes [that] might be coming, so enjoy the village while we still have it.”
The original post had several residents, past and present, share their opinion on the matter with many upset over the news and many understanding the need for the University to rid itself of the buildings. Lota-Kay Braxton commented, “I wish the new administration had not made so many changes. It is like the new is trying to undo all the good and beautiful [that] the Kinchen administration did.” Ella Mae Harris shared similar sentiments commenting, “I have been so concerned with all of the changes that have happened at our cherished School we have loved since 1943. So much of the history, culture and legacy of the college has been destroyed in one swipe of a new administration. People have not seemed to have stepped up to respond to what is going on. Our College was always a big part of the Community and now it is a separate entity unto itself.” Residents have also spoken up about the need for all to understand the cost of keeping up older buildings. Stephanie King commented, “It takes a lot of money to keep older homes restored.” Brenda Strickland added, “Different administration may have a new vision not to disrespect Dr. Kinchen.” She also reminded others in her post on repairing and keeping up the buildings that “a band-aid does a hemorrhage no good.”
According to an article printed during Dr. Tom Kinchen’s 25th anniversary just under 10 years ago, “Kinchen’s brainchild, was the construction of Heritage Village. The Village is a collection of turn-of-the-20th-century homes, churches, a schoolhouse and community center that represent a rich history Kinchen knew was worth preserving. It is the home of the annual Holiday Heritage Festival/Homecoming event, which features artisans, crafts and numerous musical performances from BCF’s Music and Worship Division. It also serves as headquarters for the Florida Baptist Historical Society and archives.” Prior to his retirement, Dr. Kinchen was also presented with the 2019 Florida Baptist Historical Society Heritage Award for “His leadership, vision, and dedications to the preservation of Baptist heritage.” It was noted in the article by then – Baptist College of Florida, that his “contributions were published in the October 2019 edition of the Florida Baptist Historical Society’s LEGACY publication” The article continued that, “President Kinchen has led the way in making sure that the next generation is educated and exposed to their remarkable heritage.” It ended that through Heritage Village, Dr. Kinchen not only “provided office spaces for the Florida Baptist Historical Sociey from 1998 to 2017 at no cost,” but “The Village serves as a visual reminder of the past.”
While the future of Heritage Village remains unsure, the Baptist University of Florida is working to build and improve its athletics and wellness. The University most recently announced a vast array of new sports coming to the Graceville campus including softball, baseball, cross country, men’s basketball, and women’s volleyball in Fall 2025. For more information on BUF visit its website at buf.edu.
PHOTO CUTLINES:
1: Photo of Heritage Village taken on Friday, June 21, 2024 with recently placed red and yellow
tape around various parts of the location.
2: Aerial Photo of Heritage Village from 2023 by Whirling Drone.
3: BCF President Dr. Thomas Kinchen receives the 2019 Florida Baptist Historical Society
Heritage Award.
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