EVENTS

Pictured Charles Johnson and Virginia Senator Tim Kaine and on the right with Virgina Congressman Bobby Scott.

Charles Johnson, African American Historical Society of Portsmouth (AAHSP) President, attended the City hosted event at the Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum (PCCLM) on July 5, 2024 . A full building of National, State and Local officials, and groups visited the PCCLM as part of a larger economic, political, and social tour and workshop. It is supposed to be videotaped by several groups and made available to the public.

Mayor Moody, Museum Director Benitez, Exibit Director Mims, and Charles Johnson gave a welcome to the audience. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine and Congressman Bobby Scott gave short greetings. AAHSP’s opening part was about pre Portsmouth Community Library (PCL) with emphasis on the library at St James Episcopal, raising funds to buy the original site, establishing the segregated Portsmouth Colored Community Library (PCCL) (1940's) importance to the community, and the political move (1960's) to integrate the Portsmouth Public Library system. It was noted with demolition plans in the works to move PCL to its present site. In closing AAHSP’s objective to preserve the building, display artifacts, and now having City Museum programing to promote the AAHSP’s mission and objectives was delivered. Note that the present City/AAHSP collaboration allows a continuation of goals with a future view of a African American History Museum-Cultural Center beyond the present site. Several officials and department leaders gave their verbal support in such a goal.

Mr. Johnson had one-on-one individual conversations with our Virginia Senator and Representative visitors (note pictures). In both conversations he focused on his personal history with the site. At ages 5-7 years old he was in daycare and afterschool education at the site nurturing who he is and his accomplishments today. His talk with Senator Kaine was centered on librarian, Miss Bertha W. Edwards, and her mentorship and love for all who entered "our library". He noted that she was strict about actions in the tight rooms but reading was a fulfillment for her and those in her presence. Years after closure of PCL, Miss Edwards was there for you in the other assigned libraries. Senator Kaine noted that based on his reading and talk with others that Miss Edwards was truly a librarian to respect and remember. Congressman Scott and Mr. Johnson truly connected when they discussed the red and white encyclopedias were our internet, our Wikipedia, our view of the world beyond our homes and neighborhoods. Even today, having a hard copy of a book brings on good memories shaping who we are today. Overall, they both agreed if you know the past (good and bad library access), the present is more appreciated.

In summary, reading and using libraries are essential practices for personal growth, education, and community engagement. Libraries provide access to a wealth of resources, support lifelong learning, enhance digital literacy, and offer reliable information. By making use of library services, individuals can expand their knowledge, improve their skills, and contribute to a well-informed and connected community.

Knowing PCCL past and looking forward to the PCCLM future helps us honor our history, maximize our current opportunities, and build a promising future.

Pictured Charles Johnson, Jr (AAHSP President) and Doris Shelton (AAHSP Scholarship Chair) meeting with History Professor Sarah Fett (Occidental College, LA California).

It was an informative, thought provoking, and memorable informal tour and talk about the past, present, and future of the Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum (PCCLM).  Discussion was also about Dr. Joseph J. France inspiring life from Accra (Ghana) to Portsmouth Virginia.  Note, photograhy was taken Dr Michael Hogan (Portsmouth Museums History Curator) who also took part in the discussion while interacting with PCCLM visitors.  We (Doris, Sarah, and I) later did a driving/walking tour of Mt Calvary Cemetery Complex and several other sites associated with African American history in Portsmouth, VA.

Staying the course in researching, preserving, and promoting history.

New sign honoring Underground Railroad unveiled in Portsmouth

A Civil War Trails Underground Railroad interpretive sign unveiled in Portsmouth.

Friday, September 9, 2022, 9 AM at Emanuel A.M.E. Church, 637 North Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth. The date was selected to coincide with the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Month and to recognize the Emanuel A.M.E. Church as a designated stop on the Park Service’s Network to Freedom Trail.

Speakers at the event will include Portsmouth Mayor Shannon E. Glover, Dr. Alexander Benitez, Mae Breckenridge-Haywood, and Pastor Billy Hunter of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church.

Local entertainers and historic re-enactors portraying Portsmouth natives Jeffrey Wilson, Portsmouth’s first Black journalist, and Robert Irving, a Portsmouth native who escaped along the UGRR, will also be on hand.

The installation follows a year’s worth of hard work from the African American Historical Society of Portsmouth, the City’s Department of Museums and Tourism, and Civil War Trails, Inc. who teamed up to research, write, and review content.

The new sign helps tell the story of the men, women, and children who were escaping the horrors of slavery via the Underground Railroad. It’s part of the multi-state Civil War Trails program which helps visitors from around the world stand in the footsteps of history at over 1,400 sites is promoted internationally by a partnership of state tourism offices, municipal destination marketers, and the sites themselves.

WEDNESDAY, February 21, 2018, 6PM-8PM
Virginia Museums Advocacy Day Reception and Award Ceremony to be held at the Virginia Historical Society
Virginia Museums Advocacy Day Reception to be held at the Virginia Historical Society on Wednesday, February 21st from 6pm-8pm.

SUNDAY, May 28, 2017, at 12 - 5 PM
Frederick Douglass visits the Portsmouth Colored Community
Library Museum

(On the right) Poet/Author Nathan Richardson
portrays slave, abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass. Come hear his speech "What to the Slave is the
4th of July" ask questions and take a picture with Mr Douglass (Sponsored by 2017 UMOJA Festival African American
Bus Tours & Young Audiences of Virginia)

September 18, 2016, at 3PM

Dedication program for historical highway marker at Emanuel AME Church, for George Teamoth and a marker will highlight the Mount Calvary Cemetery Complex which was established by African Americans beginning in 1879 on land adjacent to a "potter's field". The cemetery was enlarged later to create a four-cemetery complex. The burials include many community leaders, Civil War U.S. Colored Troops, and veterans of other wars.

Strategic Level Sponsor

December 13, 2014

Gamma Delta Chapter of AKA Sorority presents check to AAHSP. Mae Breckenridge-Haywood is a member of the Portsmouth Chapter of GDO.

2013

December 22, 2013 The Portsmouth (Colored) Community Libraries Gala Grand Opening and it's first exhibit was on December 23, 2013.

2010