Union Academy, Gainesville, Florida

A. Quinn Jones :
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A Legacy Worth Preserving

In 1923, A. Quinn Jones became the first principal of Lincoln High School. Affectionately known as “Prof” Jones, this innovative educator steadfastly believed that his graduates deserved the opportunity to earn a full high school diploma. After years of hard work, “Prof” Jones developed Lincoln High School into the second fully accredited African-American high school in the state of Florida.

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In recognition of his accomplishments, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior listed the home of A. Quinn Jones in the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.  The Gainesville CRA led the restoration and adaptive reuse of the former Jones homestead into the A. Quinn Jones Museum & Cultural Center, which was completed in February of 2017. The Museum pays tribute to a man who dedicated his life to increasing access to and improving the quality of the education available to the African-American community in Florida.

"We were not just taught at Lincoln. We were educated there, both inside and outside of the classroom. When you left, you were ready for life."— ALBERT WHITE, PRESIDENT OF THE LINCOLN HIGH ALUMNI ASSOCIATION & LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1962

We were not just taught at Lincoln. We were educated there, both inside and outside of the classroom. 
​When you left, you were ready for life."
​- Albert White, President of the Lincoln high Alumni Association & Lincoln High school Class of 1962

Honoring the Legacy​

In 2009, the Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in partnership with the City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs initiated The Legacy Project: Stories of Hope and Determination in the Fifth Avenue / Pleasant Street Redevelopment Area.
The objective is to celebrate the inspiring life of A. Quinn Jones, honor the people he influenced, and preserve the unique cultural heritage created when ordinary citizens achieve extraordinary accomplishments.
The Legacy Project will share this remarkable piece of history with a broad audience and fill visitors with pride, enlightenment and inspiration to greater personal achievement.
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