MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Black History Month is here, and the community is ready celebrate by honoring the past. These Ocala and Dunnellon events are all about learning cultural practices through interactive events and history through exhibits and informative storytelling.

Black History Month Museum Tours

The Howard Academy Community Center will be hosting Black History Month Museum Tours throughout February. Guests can take a look into the history of Florida while exploring the exhibits.

Tours will be hosted on Feb. 4, 11 and 18 at 306 NW 7th Ave, Ocala, with one tour from noon-2 p.m. and another from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on all three days.

Learn more about museum tours here.

Rhythms of Africa: Dance and Culture

The Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place will be host to a weekly class, celebrating culture with traditional African dance, drumming and storytelling. These classes, catered toward teens and adults, will merge exciting learning experiences with historical connection.

They will take place on Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28 from noon-1 p.m. for $15 per person at 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala.

Register here or learn more by calling 352-401-6980.

African American Read-In

The 36th National African American Read-In begins this weekend where readers, performers and listeners will gather at public libraries across Marion County. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about heritage through literature, music, film and art.

The first read-in will take place on Saturday, Feb. 7 starting at 2 p.m. at Dunnellon Public Library, 20351 Robinson Rd., Dunnellon.

Following dates will be at the same time on Feb. 9 at Reddick Public Library, Feb. 10 at Fort McCoy Public Library, Feb. 16 at Belleview Public Library, Feb. 16 at Sankofa Public Library, Feb. 17 at Forest Public Library, Feb. 18 at Marion Oaks Public Library, Feb. 21 at Headquarters – Ocala Public Library, Feb. 25 at Freedom Public Library. All read-in are free and open to the community.

Learn more information about dates and event details here or call at 352-671-8551.

Film Screening: “The Quilting Women of Gee’s Bend”

The Appleton Museum of Art will be screening “The quilting Women of Gee’s Bend,” a film about the practice of hand-woven quilts made by a community of African American women and the significant history behind them. The screening is free and open to the public as a part of the museum’s monthly free first Saturday series.

The screening will take place on Feb. 7 from 2-3 p.m. at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.

For more information about the Appleton Museum, visit their website here or call 352-291-4455.

Black History Celebration

College Park Elementary School will be host to a Black History Celebration with a performance of “I Was Born in 1925,” a decade-by-decade telling of history. The celebration doesn’t end there with arts and crafts and food trucks on standby with fun for all ages in mind.

The performance is free to all and will take place on Thursday, Feb. 12, starting at 5:30 p.m. at 1330 SW 33rd Ave., Ocala, in the cafeteria.

Learn more about the celebration here.

Rooted in Legacy. Rising Together in Purpose

Fessenden Elementary School will be hosting Legacy Day as a family engagement event community member gathering to celebrate Black History Month through culture and honoring the past. This event will feature a history exhibit, choir, spoken word poet, interactive activities and more.

This event will take place on Thursday, Feb. 19 from 5:30-7 p.m. at 4200 NW 89th Pl., Ocala, in the gymnasium.

Learn more here or call 352-671-4935.