(Florence, AL) – The W.C. Handy Home and Museum (620 West College St.) could be turned over to a Handy family foundation that would expand its collection.
The City Council [considered] an agreement Tuesday [11/7] that would allow the Handy Foundation, run by Handy’s grandson, Carlos Handy, to take control of the city museum.
Libby Jordan, manager of arts and museums for Florence, said the foundation has the resources to do more with the museum than does the city.
“I can’t think of anyone better to operate this museum and protect the legacy,” she said. “They have come here several times, and are interested in moving the museum forward in a way we cannot.”
William Christopher Handy was born in Florence in 1873. Against his father’s wishes, he became interested in secular music at an early age. He became a musician and teacher, and is credited with popularizing the rural music that came to be called the blues.
