The museum was founded in 1868 and was the first museum of African American art. It is also one of the oldest museums in Virginia. The museum has galleries dedicated fo African American, African, Native American, Asian, and Pacific art.
We spent about 35 minutes in the museum. Some of the high points were the tools that we saw in some of the art, the colors, the way that different artists used different mediums, and the subject matter. We had some great discussions about the Underground Railroad and the life of Harriet Tubman. We also talked a lot about the way Native Americans lived in different houses depending on their needs, and the natural resources that they used. The museum hit several points that directly support the Virginia SOLs at the elementary level.
If you'd like to visit, the museum is free. You'll pass a guard on the campus who will direct you to the free parking lot. The museum is open Monday-Friday 8-5, and closed on weekends and major holidays. No photographs or videotaping is allowed inside.
