The Portsmouth Community Colored Library Museum, located in Portsmouth VA tells the story of its history as a segregated library in the Jim Crow south. Here is a tie between early enslaved Aftricans not being taught to read and/or write, to a time when education was available to African Americans, but limitied, to today where there is a movement to provide historically accurate and relevant stories within the experience of African Americans and other minority or underserved groups. With this in mind, the museum displays artifacts that represent the time when slavery was active, to a time when educating future generations of those same people was of high importance. Also included are examples of the contributions of specific pioneering individuals who worked toward the task of integrating educational opportunities through an integrated library system.
Are you aware of anyone who made contributions to this museum, library, or similar education-related resources? Please contact Don't Duck History and let us know. We may want to interview them for the oral history interview aspect of our project, and feature their story here on our website.
Take some time to look through this exhibit, and please consider visiting the museum when you're in the vacinity of Portsmouth VA. There is plenty to see, you won't be disappointed, and you may just learn something!
