Alexandria Black History Museum
The mission of the Black History Museum is to enrich the lives of Alexandria's residents and visitors, to foster tolerance and understanding among all cultures and to stimulate appreciation of the diversity of the African American experience.
The institutional complex is composed of the Museum, the Watson Reading Room, and the Alexandria African American Heritage Park.
Alexandria Black History Museum: The Museum, devoted to exhibiting local and regional history, incorporates the Robert H. Robinson Library as one of two exhibition galleries. The Robert H. Robinson Library was originally constructed in 1940 following a sit-in at the segregated Alexandria Library.
Watson Reading Room: The Reading Room, established in 1995, provides an environment for learning about the diversity of African American cultural traditions.
African American Heritage Park: A nine-acre green space and wetland, the Park offers a place for celebration, commemoration and quiet reflection.
Current News and Information
New Miniatures Exhibition -- The new exhibition, Our Alexandria: African American Dollhouses by Sharon J. Frazier and Linwood M. Smith, opens Thursday, February 9, with a special reception with the artists. See how they were inspired by real places, like the Carver Nursery (right), in Alexandria!- Paul Robeson Performance -- Experience the life of the dynamic activist, acclaimed actor and brilliant scholar Paul Robeson with this live performance by Hugh Staples at the Carlyle Club on Sunday, February 12! Enjoy dinner, the play and the opportunity to speak with the actor after the show. Tickets are available from the Carlyle Club and proceeds benefit the Alexandria Black History Museum.
- Martin Luther King, Jr., Poster Contest -- Now through February, see the exhibition of posters from the annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Poster Contest on display in the Vola Lawson Lobby at Alexandria City, 301 King Street.
- Genealogy Lectures -- During Black History Month, explore your own family's history! Genealogist Char McCargo Bah will present illustrated lectures on Saturday, February 4 and Saturday, February 11. See how her techniques and tips can help you document your family's past!
- SankofaSpirit Film Series -- The museum offers free movies on the second Tuesday of the month that explore themes relating to Africa and the African Diaspora. The next movie is "Homecoming" on Saturday, February 11 at 4:30 p.m.
- National Trust Visits Museum As part of its efforts to document Contraband heritage sites, the National Trust for Historic Preservation recently visited Alexandria and interviewed Audrey Davis, Assistant Director and Curator of the Alexandria Black History Museum, and local historian Lillian Patterson. Check out the Preservation Nation blog and video now and learn about Alexandria's Contraband history!
Style and Identity: Black Alexandria in the 1970s , the popular exhibition of portraits by Horace Day, is now closed but the catalog is still available. Purchase a copy at the Alexandria Black History Museum, The Lyceum, and the History Center and Museum Store, or download a PDF version for free.
- Watch a video clip on The Alexandria Black History Museum, from WETA’s Around Town (2007).
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