This February, African American museums across Southwest and Southside are looking to attract new and old visitors.
From special exhibits to local partnerships, here’s how some museums are finding unique ways to commemorate Black History Month.
Martinsville: Fayette Area Historic Initiative
The FAHI Museum, located along Martinsville’s historic Fayette Street, will be offering guided tours for Black History Month, said director Charisse Hairston.
Anyone who’s interested in scheduling a tour can reach out to FAHI, she said. While the museum is usually closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, Hairston said she is willing to hold tours on those days.
“If the best day for a school to come is on a Monday, I will avail myself to that,” Hairston said.
Hairston will also spend the month posting brief videos to the museum’s Facebook page detailing little-known facts about Black history. These will likely be held Fridays at noon, she said.
FAHI has operated in its current location, the former Imperial Savings and Loan Bank, since 2011. It features exhibits that highlight both nationally recognized and local civil rights figures.
While most of its tours are by appointment, FAHI’s hours of operation are Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wytheville: African American Heritage Museum
The African American Heritage Museum in Wytheville is focusing on education and the labor movement, according to museum board President Patricia Austin.
The labor movement exhibit will emphasize both nationally recognized labor leaders and local Black business owners throughout Wytheville’s history.
The museum also will offer kids lessons in cursive writing and healthful living as part of Healthy Hearts Month. These sessions are currently scheduled for the third Saturday of the month.
Located at 410 E. Franklin St., the Heritage Museum was founded in 2000 to preserve the Wytheville Training School, an all-Black school constructed in 1883.
The museum’s operating hours are Monday through Friday 1 to 6 p.m. and every first and third Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lynchburg: Legacy Museum of African American History
Lynchburg’s Legacy Museum is partnering with college campuses to highlight local artistic talent.
The exhibits will be held at the Daura Museum of Art at the University of Lynchburg and the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College.
The exhibits feature works by Black artists that depict some aspect of African American life. Battle described it as a celebration of African American creativity in central Virginia through art.
The Legacy Museum is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Initially sponsored by the Lynchburg branch of the NAACP, the museum has made its mission to depict local Black life and history.
The museum’s operating hours are Wednesday through Saturday noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday 2 to 4 p.m.
