Sanford unveils Historic Goldsboro commemorative quilt, honors legacy

The City of Sanford announced the next chapter of the Pathways to Reconciliation Project with the creation of the Historic Goldsboro Commemorative Quilt, a community driven artwork crafted by elder members of the Goldsboro neighborhood. The quilt, shaped by storytelling sessions and design workshops earlier this year, will be unveiled at 6 p.m. on Monday, December 8 at City Hall, 300 N. Park Avenue, and will take permanent placement outside the City Commission Chambers in the renovated first floor lobby.

Historic Goldsboro was founded in 1891 by William Clark and was one of the first self governing Black communities in the United States. The town maintained its own mayor, businesses, churches, and civic institutions until 1911, when state legislative action dissolved its municipal charter and brought Goldsboro into Sanford. That annexation left a deep sense of loss that persisted through generations, and the Pathways to Reconciliation initiative is the citys effort to honor what was lost, acknowledge past injustices, and foster a shared future.

The quilt reflects the neighborhoods cultural roots, resilience, and unity. Residents contributed memories, photographs, and personal experiences that inspired each panel, and elders led the design and crafting to ensure the work is rooted in community voice and memory. A City Commission proclamation accompanying the unveiling proclaims December 8 as Historic Goldsboro Day and signals a formal municipal recognition of the neighborhoods history.

"The Goldsboro Commemorative Quilt is a visual narrative of strength, pride, and community, a lasting reminder of the stories that shaped our city and the threads that continue to bind us together," said Barbara Coleman Foster, Co Chair REEI Advisory Committee.

The project was made possible through partnerships among the City of Sanford REEI Advisory Committee, Sanford Museum, City of Sanford Historic Preservation, the UCF RICHES Program, the City of Sanford Public Art Commission, and the Peace and Justice Institute. For Seminole County residents, the quilt is more than public art. It is a tangible step toward acknowledging historical harms that have shaped social and economic conditions, and it creates a visible site for civic education, community healing, and culturally informed conversations about equity in city policy and services. The permanent display aims to keep Goldsboros story present in municipal life and to encourage ongoing dialogue about how local government can repair harms and support inclusive community wellbeing.