Institution Name: Historic Jenkins House
Address: 815 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard – West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone Number(s): 561-306-5838
E-mail: josephine@artistshowcase.org
Contact Person(s): Josephine Mulcahy, Director of Development
Hours of Operation: Hours vary depending exhibits – Please call for information
About: Built in 1946, the Jenkins House was home to Dr. Joseph Wiley Jenkins, his wife Roberta and daughter Ramona. Dr. Jenkins, a well-known community activist was very committed to education. Dr. Jenkins was one of the first African-American Pharmacists in the northwest community.
In 1937, Dr. and Mrs. Jenkins opened their own community drugstore called the Economical Drugstore located on the corner of the 4th Street and Rosemary Avenue in West Palm Beach. Dr. Jenkins believed strongly in the value of an education and inspired many to pursue a higher education.
In the late 1990’s the Jenkins House was sold to the city of West Palm Beach, thereby paving the way for the house to be designated a historic site and the future home of Artists Showcase of the Palm Beaches. On the preview day, Mrs. Roberta Jenkins, commented that she was “really impressed by the reconstruction.”
Mrs. Jenkins also taught school in Palm Beach County and continued to operate the store until 1952. Through the life of Artists Showcase the legacy of the Jenkins lives on.
After the long awaited renovations, the Historic Jenkins House is now the present home of Artists Showcase and will allow for the expansion of programs, permanent art, and touring art exhibitions featuring multi-culturally diverse artists.