The Wells'Built is one of the most significant cultural landmarks in this community," said Will Abberger, director of Florida programs for the Trust of Public Land. "The Trust for Public Land is proud to be part of the preservation of the Wells'Built, not only for its historical significance but also to educate residents and visitors to Orlando about the community's rich African American heritage."

The Wells'Built is the last remaining pre-world War II African American hotel in Orlando and was one of the few hotels in Orlando serving African Americans during segregation. In the mid-1920's, Orlando's Parramore neighborhood was the center of the city's African American community. The streets bustled with commerce by day and music by night at Dr. William Wells' South Street Casino, a popular dance hall. When big-name entertainers and athletes like Joe Louis, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and Pegleg Bates came to town, they stayed at the Wells'Built Hotel, next door to the Casino on South Street. Today the South Street Casino is gone, demolished in 1987, but the historic Wells'Built Hotel still stands.

"The Wells'Built Hotel was at the heart of a vibrant cultural community," said Katherine Harris, Florida's Secretary of State. "As a museum it is a treasure for young and old to discover, learn from and enjoy for many years to come."

The Trust for Public Land purchased the Wells'Built in 1996 to save it from almost certain destruction by demolition or neglect. With renovation completed, the Wells'Built will now be managed by PAST, as a museum of African American culture and history. Rehabilitation of the Wells'Built is part of Mayor Glenda Hood's and the City or Orlando's Parramore Heritage Project.

"The partnership that has come together to save the Wells'Built is truly remarkable," said Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood. "Our community is richer for the hard work and effort of the state and local governments, foundations and the Trust for Public Land."

A number of state and local organizations contributed to the renovation of the Wells'Built including: more than $400,000 in grants from the Florida Department of State's Division of Historical Resources; $300,000 from the Florida Department of Community Affairs' Sustainable Communities program; over $50,000 from the City of Orlando's Community Redevelopment Agency; $30.000 from the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation; $25,000 from City Beverages, the local Anheuser-Busch distributor; and $20,000 from the American Express Foundation.

Since its founding in 1972, the Trust for Public Land has worked to protect more than 1.2 million acres in 45 states valued at nearly $2 billion as parks, gardens, playgrounds, greenways, recreation areas, historic landmarks, and wilderness lands.

Operating in Florida since 1975, the Trust for Public Land has partnered with private landowners, communities, and government agencies to conserve more than 200 special places throughout the state for people to enjoy.

TPL has helped acquire and preserve numerous historic and culturally significant buildings including the Custom House in Key West; Centro Espanol in the Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa; the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic site in Atlanta; and the Brown v. Board of Education schoolhouse in Topeka, Kansas.

PAST was founded in 1991 to promote the preservation of African American culture and history in Orlando.