The African American Historical Society of Portsmouth

PROJECTS

• Portsmouth (Colored) Community Library Restoration Project
The society is working on restoring and moving the library to a new site in order to develop the library into a museum. The museum will store various artifacts pertaining to Portsmouth's African American culture.

• Boy Scouts Project
The society collected the history of the Boy Scouts of Portsmouth and hosted a Boy Scout Banquet honoring former Gosport District Scouts. Research on Boy Scouts in Portsmouth to be published soon.

* The Underground Railroad in Portsmouth
The Underground Railroad was, in reality, neither underground or a railroad. It was, as its name implies, however, a highly secretive and complex system of parterships and transportation routes by which African Americans escaped slavery in the South.

This website explores the partnerships and routes that ran through Virginia. It examines the wharves, steamships, and schooners on which fugitives departed. It explores the safe houses that were used, the conductors who assisted, the routes that were taken, and the enslaved African Americans who ran away.
http://www.racetimeplace.com/ugrr/index.htm

* Unfinished Business: A Survey of Black Businesses in Portsmouth, Virginia, 1920-1975
The history of businesses owned by blacks in Olde Towne are being researched by society members. Some of the businesses already under consideration are: Chambers Detective Agency and Portsmouth Branch Journal and Guide, Bailey's Barber Shop, Fuller's Shoe Repair, Colden Funeral Home, Richard's Barber Shop, Fisher Funeral Home, Woodard's Grocery, and Nancy Wheeler Funeral Home.

• Dr. Hugo Armstrong Owens Photography Project
Challenged by Dr. Owens to be maverick photographers and follow in the footsteps of reporter Lee F. Rodgers, society members are photographing Portsmouth's black history for historical collection.

• African American Cemetery Project
Currently the US Gen Web Archives, Portsmouth, VA, now includes a listing for Mt. Calvary , Mt. Olive & Fisher's Hill Cemeteries, April 2006—Mae Breckenridge-Haywood & Dinah Walters. This lists tombstone inscriptions from these cemeteries. Visit the listing at http://www.rootsweb.com/%7Eusgenweb/va/portsmouth/pcems.htm

• Fisher's Hill Cemetery: Restoring an African American Landmark.
The Friends of Fisher's Hill are looking for volunteers to help bring a forgotten history back to life. This African American cemetery is in desperate need of donations for repairs and research. A community service project that is perfect for corporations, religious institutions, military units, civic groups, and schools. For additional information visit the website: http://www.fishershillcemtery.com.

• Portsmouth African American Museum
The former Portsmouth Community Library will soon be renovated (01-08-2010). The PCL board has been writing grants, sponsoring Black History Month programs, and presenting community service awards to worthy Portsmouth citizens.

• Obituary Project
The society is collecting obituaries of prominent people in Portsmouth's African American history

• A Tale of Two Churches
A grant project of society member and Norfolk State University professor, Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander in partnership with the African American Historical Society of Portsmouth. The focus of the project is to investigate Underground Railroad activities in Portsmouth, Virginia. Two sites of particular interest in the archeological research study are Emanuel A.M.E Church and Monumental Methodist Church. The society will assist in the research, study, and collection of artifacts pertaining to the project.
http://www.littlejohnexplorers.com/taleoftwochurches/

• African American Tours
Anticipated tours of African American historical sites in Portsmouth.

Press Release pdf | doc

DONATIONS pdf

In 1944, Friends of the Colored Library" donated $1.00 to build the library. Now we are asking you for a donation of $5.00 or more to continue the legacy to build the Portsmouth African American Museum and Cultural Center.

African Americans in Portsmouth built a strong, insulated community because they were cognizant of the need to look inward. Whether assisting the pre-Civil War escapes through the Underground Railroad, forming banks, publishing a newspaper, or providing recreational facilities, Portsmouth's African Americans created one of the most stable middle-class black communities in America. Early 20th-century leaders such as Dr. William Reid, Nancy T. Wheeler, and the Reverend Harvey N. Johnson Sr. were civic models and guiding forces for a community emerging from the ravages of slavery, and enduring the hardships of segregation. Available from the authors, on the Internet, or through your local bookstore.