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Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia

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Coordinates: 37°33′00″N 77°26′29″W / 37.550093°N 77.441446°W / 37.550093; -77.441446
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Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia is located in Virginia
Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
Location within Virginia
Established1981 (1981)
Location122 West Leigh Street,
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Coordinates37°33′00″N 77°26′29″W / 37.550093°N 77.441446°W / 37.550093; -77.441446
TypeCultural history museum
FounderCarroll Anderson, Sr.
WebsiteOfficial website

The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia (BHMVA) is an American 501(c)(3) organization and museum established in 1981 and focused on the history of Black and African Americans in the state of Virginia.[1][2] It is located in the Leigh Street Armory building at 122 West Leigh Street in the Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia.[3]

History

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Former location of the BHMVA on Clay Street
Former BHMVA location on 00 Clay Street, Richmond

The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia was founded by Carroll Anderson Sr. and opened to the public at 00 Clay Street in 1988,[1][4] followed by a move in 2016 to 122 West Leigh Street.[5] It is in a two-story building, and spans 12,000 square feet in size.[6] The BHMVA has collaborated with the Valentine Museum and other local organizations for projects and exhibits.[7][8] Former museum directors include Tasha Chambers.[6]

The 2023 exhibit “Forging Freedom, Justice and Equality” celebrated the museum's 40th anniversary and reflected on 40 years of Black community stories and history, spanning into fields such as commerce, the arts, entertainment, and education.[3] Other notable exhibitions at this museum include "Slavery at Jefferson's Monticello: Paradox of Liberty" (2020) about the enslaved people who built and supported the Monticello residency;[9] and "Funky Turns 40: Black Character Revolution" (2016), about the history of Black cartoonists and animators.[6]

In 2020, the city of Richmond transferred ownership of the fallen memorials (such as former Confederate States Army members) to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia; it is now up to the institution to decide what to do with them.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Door opened to new opportunities". Richmond Times-Dispatch. 1988-07-12. p. 56. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  2. ^ Roberts, Andrea Suozzo, Ken Schwencke, Mike Tigas, Sisi Wei, Alec Glassford, Brandon (2013-05-09). "The Black History Museum And Cultural Center Inc - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2023-03-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b Graff, Henry. "Richmond's Black History Museum celebrates 40-year anniversary". NBC 12. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  4. ^ "Black history museum taps new director". Richmond Free Press. October 9, 2015. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  5. ^ Richardson, Selden (May 2009). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: First Battalion Virginia Volunteers Armory" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. and Accompanying four photos
  6. ^ a b c "Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia opens at the Leigh Street Armory". WRIC ABC 8News. 2016-05-10. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  7. ^ "Second Street is filmed for history while there are those who remember". Richmond Times-Dispatch. 1989-07-13. p. 44. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  8. ^ "Black businesses featured in exhibit". Daily Press. 1990-01-31. p. 23. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  9. ^ Harrison, Don (2020-01-16). "Paradox of Liberty". Richmond Magazine. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  10. ^ Blackburn, Piper H. (July 14, 2020). "GOP lawmakers complain about Davis statue removal process". Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022.
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