This is a MUST visit for anyone visiting Alexandria. This part of history must be told and listened... read more
This is a MUST visit for anyone visiting Alexandria. This part of history must be told and listened... read more
If you have time, I strongly suggest checking out the history of the first black library in... read more
So glad to have found this museum - very interesting. Lovely staff. Nestled away in a corner of Old Town Alexandria but worth the trip.
Mostly about the slave trade, this museum is funded by and staffed by volunteers and contributors. Although it is a small space, it does a good job explaining African cultures and the export of salves to the new world. The exhibits are tasteful and have good graphics.
alexandria is lucky to have such a fine site for black history in the area and the state ;;interesting resouces inside so stop by
We had two areas to view. One, located in the original Robinson Library, showed the history of slavery in the U.S., where the slaves came from, and about them landing on American soil. Informative displays showed the history of free blacks and enslaved black people in Alexandria. In the 2nd area, there was a video of the 1939 sit-in of five young black men who applied for a library card from the "free" white library, and were denied. It told of how they were arrested and how, afterwards, the city council appropriated the money for a "colored" library, which was constructed and up and running in 1940.
History made real. Wonderment, joy, anger, tears, wows, are only some of the feeling while we visited. It is Powerful in a very small area. Very professionally guided. Incredible
I was so excited to happen upon this little building. The information was plentiful and to learn the history of what used to a one-room library was filling.