African American Museums and Historic Sites Network

VFH and the Virginia Association of Museums, in partnership with a Steering Committee comprised of representatives from eight Virginia museums and one independent collector, is working to establish a statewide network of Virginia's African American museums and historic sites. 

This new organization is an outgrowth of the Central Virginia Museums Network, established with a 2004-2006 IMLS grant, to strengthen and build capacity in the six participating museums.

Membership in the expanded Network is open to museums and historic sites with a sustained and significant focus on Virginia’s African American history, as well as to other cultural organizations and individuals with extensive collections that shed light on the stories of African Americans in Virginia.

The African American Museums and Historic Sites Network will offer many long-term benefits to Virginia—to residents of the Commonwealth, to tourists and other visitors, and to the organizations involved.

Upcoming Meeting

The Virginia African American Museums and Historic Sites Network will hold its second statewide meeting on Thursday, October 6 from 10am until Noon at the Marriott Hotel in Richmond. 

Guest speaker Rob Nieweg, Director and Regional Attorney for the Southern Field Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will discuss "Historic Preservation: A Cooperative Venture."

This meeting of the Network, which VFH has played a central role in helping to establish, will take place during the annual conference (Convention) of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).

The ASALH Convention will draw scholars, museum professionals, and other participants from throughout the U.S., and our meeting will be listed as an “official session” within the conference program. 

This is a wonderful opportunity for the Network to be affiliated with one of the premiere annual events in the field of African American history, and anyone interested in the interpretation of African American history and culture at Virginia’s museums and historic sites is encouraged to attend.

There is no charge to attend the Network meeting.  However, participants may also want to consider registering for the larger conference.

Further information on the conference and the luncheon (including registration fees) can be found on the ASALH website (www.asalh.org).

For further information on the Virginia African American Museums and Historic Sites Network, contact Carolyn Cades at 434-924-7202 or carolyncades@virginia.edu; or any member of the Network Steering Committee.

Related Documents

• Steering Committee
• Invitation to the African American Museums and Historic Sites Network Inaugural Meeting, March 15, 2011
• Draft Prospectus--African American Museums and Historic Sites Network  
• VAM Conference Information