Black History Museum
Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia at 122 W. Leigh St. in Jackson Ward. (Photo Courtesy of the Black History Museum)
The long-awaited opening of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia is finally set.
The museum’s new location at 122 W. Leigh St. in Jackson Ward will open Tuesday, May 10, marking the end of its highly anticipated $8 million renovation that began back in September 2014.
“What’s most important as we embark on our new journey is that we not only use this interactive space to showcase world-class exhibitions, but that we create a safe space to have dialogue about issues that are affecting our country,” said Tasha Chambers, the museum’s executive director, in a statement.
Starting Tuesday, May 10, the museum will be open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students and $6 for children ages 3-12. Admission is free for infants.
The 12,000-square-foot museum will have permanent exhibits on the first floor, interactive exhibits for children and space to accommodate traveling exhibitions on the second floor. A space that will permit patrons to research their genealogy is in the works, according to the statement.
When the museum opens, that second-floor space will display more than 50 pieces of animation art dating to the 1970s. The exhibit called “Funky Turns 40: Black Character Revolution,” will run through August, according to the release. The museum will showcase a traveling Romare Bearden exhibit, “Vision to Activism,” through December.
Preview events are scheduled the week prior to the public opening. A cocktail reception will be held Thursday, May 5. Tickets go on sale in mid-April, according to the release. A poetry event is scheduled on Friday, May 6 to coincide with First Fridays in the Arts District. On Saturday, May 7, admission to the museum will be free.
