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About Legacy Museum

Legacy Museum History

The Legacy Project was initially sponsored by the Lynchburg branch of the NAACP. It became incorporated with 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 1995. In keeping with its mission to provide educational exhibits and programs on the history and culture of African Americans in the area, the Legacy Project sponsored lectures and panel discussions and arranged exhibits of Ann van de Graaf’s painting. “Lord Plant My Feet on Higher Ground.” The painting, which now hangs in the stairwell of the museum, depicts local persons and places associated with Civil Rights events in the 1960s and 70s.

In 1997 the Legacy Project acquired a dilapidated but once beautiful house at 403 Monroe Street, Lynchburg. Architect Kelvin Moore was engaged to draw up plans to transform the 100-year-old house into a modern museum. A Capital Fundraising Committee was formed to raise $300,000, and a Collections Committee was formed to solicit and archive artifacts for the permanent collection.

In March of 1999, Gerdy Construction Co. began the huge task of reconstruction. That work was completed 15 months later. On June 25, 2000 a celebratory dedication and grand opening was held. Dr. Vivian Pinn, Director of the Office of Research on Women’s Health at the National Institutes of Health, gave the opening address. The ribbon was cut by civil rights pioneer Mrs. Drucilla Moultrie and historian Harry Ferguson, both in their 90s, and 6 year old Ashley Lewis.

Legacy Museum Mission

The Mission of the Legacy Museum of African American History is to enrich the lives of local residents and museum visitors by fostering and stimulating an appreciation of the diversity of the African American experience in Lynchburg and surrounding counties/cities.

The Legacy Project, Inc. will achieve this mission by presenting oral history, artifacts and memorabilia through exhibitions, programs, workshops, and lectures that represent the achievements of African Americans.

Legacy Museum's Past Exhibits

2000 – 2001 Herbs to Lasers, Cholera to AIDS: African American Medicine and Health, 1800-1820

2001 – 2002 - Struggle, Sacrifice, and Scholarship: Black Education in Central Virginia,1800-1922

2002 – 2003 - Prejudice, Perseverance, and Pride: Black Education in Central Virginia, 1923-1970

2003 – 2004 - By God’s Grace: The African American Worship Experience in Central Virginia, 1820-1950

2004 – 2005 - Mindin’ Our Own Business: African American Business Enterprise in Central Virginia, 1820-1970

2005 – 2007 - Deep in My Heart: The Rise of Jim Crow in Central Virginia, 1865-1954

2007 – 2008 - Someday: The Fall of Jim Crow in Central Virginia, 1954-1981

2008 – 2009 - For Our Own Good: Civic and Social Group

2009 – 2010 - Much in Demand: 200 Years of Central Virginia African Americans in the Military

2010 – 2012 - Celebrating Community! The Legacy Museum’s First Ten Years (A Retrospective)

2012 – 2015 - Trouble Don’t Las Always: African American Life in Central Virginia During and After the Civil War, 1860-1890

2015 – 2017 - The Rhythms of Yesterday and Today: A History of African American Music in Lynchburg, Virginia and Surrounding Areas

2017 – 2019 - Visual Voices: A Celebration of African American Artists from Lynchburg and Surrounding Areas

2019 – Current - The Development of An Athlete: Framing Sports Through Race, Gender, Perseverance and Community

Legacy Museum Board Members

President

Valeria P. Chambers

Vice-President

Phyllistine Mosley

Recording Secretary

David B. Neumeyer, Esq.

Corresponding Secretary

Mary Canody

Treasurer

Felicia West

Ramona Battle

 

Phillip Brown

Mary Canody

Joyce Dixon

Elaine Duke

Toni Pate

Donald Preston

   

Keita Rodgers

Mark Spain

Yvette Harris

Dr. Tywanna Whorley

 

Director

Talea Teasley

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About The Legacy Museum Logo

Our logo is the sankofa.This Akan symbol means "return and take from the past that which may have been forgotten but which will be of use today and in the future." In Ghana the sankofa is stamped on textiles and carved on staffs and stools of office. It is used much as we are using it: to remind people that there is much in their past of which to be proud and much that is of value in coping with modern-day challenges.

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