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Saturday, July 5, 2008
Black History Museum -- Alexandria. Virginia
The Alexandria Black History Museum is located in the Parker-Gray Historic District, in the northwest quadrant of "Old Town" Alexandria -- about midway between Washington, D.C. and George Washington's Mount Vernon.
The Alexandria Black History Museum consists of two galleries offering visitors a chance to learn about Alexandria's past and present.
The Parker-Gray Gallery is the changing exhibition gallery.
The Robert Robinson Library was built in 1940 and is the oldest part of the building. The Robert Robinson Library originally served as the library for Alexandria's African American citizens during segregation. Currently, this section is used as the Museum's permanent exhibition gallery, and contains an exhibition on African American business in Alexandria.
Watson Reading Room
Located next door to the Alexandria Black History Museum, the Watson Reading Room is a non-circulating research repository focusing on issues of African-American history and culture. Black History Museum staff and volunteers are available to work with visitors of all ages who are researching African- American history.
Rent the Museum
The Alexandria Black History Museum, Watson Reading Room and the Alexandria African American Heritage Park * may be rented by the public for special events. Inquiries about renting any of Museum's facilities should be sent in writing to:
Director
Alexandria Black History Museum
902 Wythe Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: 703 838-4356
Email: black.history@alexandriava.gov
The first floor of the Alexandria Black History Museum may be rented for receptions, meetings and programs. Maximum capacity for any event held in the Center is 150 persons. The Robert Robinson Gallery, the Parker-Gray Gallery and the lobby area comprise the rental space. A kitchen and rest rooms are located on the same floor. All space is handicapped accessible.
The Watson Reading Room is available for small lectures and meetings. The maximum seating capacity for this room is 40 persons. No food or drink is allowed in the Watson Reading Room. The Watson Reading Room is handicapped accessible.
The Alexandria African American Heritage Park located at Duke Street on Holland Lane is a nine acre memorial park honoring the work and spirt of Alexandria's African American community.
One acre of the Alexandria African American Heritage Park preserves a 19th-century African American cemetery. Events held in the park are expected to respect the solemnity and contemplative nature of the site. No food or drink is permitted at events held in the park. All events must end by 7:30 p.m. Approval for use of this site must come from the ABHM and the City's Department of Recreation.
The park is available to rent for selected events. Interested parties may inquire at the Alexandria Black History Museum about conditions and rates.
* Use of this site also requires the approval of the City of Alexandria Department of Recreation
Watson Reading Room | Robert H. Robinson Library | African American Heritage Park
Museum Collections | Education Programs | History of Museum & Related Sites
Museum Exhibits | Self-Guided Walking Tour | African American History Guide
Alexandria's Black Public Education 1800-1965 | Alexandria's Early Free Black Neighborhoods
Slave Market and Slave Jail | Freedmen's Cemetery | Alexandria's Black Churches
To Witness the Past | Civil War: Fighting for Freedom | Civil War: Black Soldiers of the Civil War
Oral History | Volunteers for Freedom, Part 1 | Volunteers for Freedom, Part 2
Directions and Fees | Participate and/or Volunteer | Alexandria Black History main page
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