African American have been a vibrant part of Alexandria for more than 250 years. In fact, without the contributions of the African Americans from 1749 on, Alexandria would not exist as it does today. As one point, African Americans were the largest majority of the population and responsible for the economic vibrancy of the area.
In 1939 a sit-down strike was staged by five African American men seeking more access to educational opportunities. Even though the men were arrested, it sparked the development of the Robert Robinson Library in 1940. And even though this was a segregated library, it was important for the community and it was desegregated in the early 1960's. Today the Robert Robinson Library forms an integral part of the Alexandria Black History Museum.
An important event in 20th-century Alexandria's African-American history occurred in 1939. This event raised the consciousness of the minority community and became one of the watershed moments in Alexandria's civil rights history.
In 1987, the Alexandria City Council placed the operation of the Museum under the Office of Historic Alexandria and provided funding for an addition.
In 1995, two additional sites were added to the Museum. The Alexandria African American Heritage Park, a nine-acre park that preserves the site of a 19th-century African-American cemetery, opened in June 1995. The Park is located several blocks away from the Museum. In October of 1995, the Watson Reading Room opened next door to the Museum. This non-circulating reading room houses the museum's collection of books, videos, documents, and periodicals on African-American life and culture.
The museum follows its mission of preserving the history of Alexandria's African-American citizens, as well as providing a forum for issues of concern to all African Americans. The Museum has become a source of pride to Alexandria's African-American citizens. With two exhibition galleries on the first floor of the museum, and artifact storage and offices below, the Alexandria Black History Museum continues to expand educational opportunities for residents, scholars and tourists.
Here are a few examples of what to expect at the museum:
Themes from the Past - These special thematic studies provide fascinating glimpses into Alexandria's African-American history and other topics.
Freedmen's Cemetery - The Friends of Freedmen's Cemetery was founded in 1997 for the purpose of preserving, commemorating and researching a little known Civil War-era African American burying ground in Old Town Alexandria. Their website offers a history of the Freedmen's Cemetery and extensive genealogical and historical resources.
Securing the Blessings of Liberty - The first phase of this exhibit, entitled "Freedoms Taken & Liberties Lost," begins in 17th century Africa and ends in 1810 Alexandria. It details the lives and experiences of the earliest individuals of African descent residing in Alexandria. This exhibit opened at the museum in summer 2006.
Serving with Distinction - African Americans in Alexandria Public Safety - This temporary exhibit opened at the museum in summer 2006.
Bonds to Alexandria's Black Public Education, 1800-1965 - Based on an early exhibit at the museum, this online exhibit examines the role of the church and the development of African-American schools in Northern Virginia.
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