St. Petersburg College will honor the late historian and archivist Minson Rubin on Feb. 26, highlighting his life’s work that documents the Civil Rights Movement in his hometown and Florida.
BY GOLIATH J. DAVIS, III, Ph.D., Contributor
ST. PETERSBURG — Minson Ronald Rubin was born to Georgia Lee and Clarence Rubin, Sr. in Jordan Park on Aug. 27, 1944. He lived a segregated life during the Jim Crow era. Relying on his love of history, he collected and cataloged his life’s experiences through the volume of photographs, news articles, and written materials depicting segregated life in Jordan Park, the south side community, the City of St. Petersburg, and throughout the state and nation.
Minson was formally educated at Jordan Elementary, Sixteen Street Junior High, Gibbs High, Gibbs Junior College, and the Florida A&M University. In addition to his love of history, he also loved and excelled at basketball, setting scoring records. His historical collection documents life as he experienced it in the areas of government, education, sports, politics, and community life.
Working with Ann Thompson Taylor, Minson persuaded St. Petersburg College to curate and archive his collection. Assistant Curator Diana Bryson has cataloged the collection, and working with a committee composed of college personnel and community volunteers, will present St. Petersburg College’s Minson R. Rubin Day on Feb. 26, from 10-2 p.m. at the Midtown campus, 1300 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg.
SPC College President Dr. Tonjua Williams invites the community to join her, Mayor Ken Welch, Chief Anthony Holloway, the Rubin family, the Jordan Park Nostalgic Association, and other dignitaries to share in this historical event. Minson’s collection provides a window into the past that informs the present and the future.
The celebration will also include:
- A mural unveiling by Zulu Painter at the Cecil B. Keene Center
- A performance by the Gibbs High School Marching Band
- A book drive and storytime with Cultured Books
- Food for purchase provided by Midtown community establishments
- Art inspired by the Rubin Collection
Also, Mayor Welch will present Mrs. Jeanette Rubin and the Rubin family with a proclamation and key to the city to recognize his contributions to his community and the entire city.
The Minson Rubin Experience will take place on Feb. 26, from 10-2 p.m. at St. Petersburg College Midtown campus, 1300 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg.
For more information, contact SPC Foundation Assistant Curator Diana Bryson at bryson.diana@spcollege.edu or visit stpe.co/RubinDay.
