Legacy Museum of African American History facts for kids
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| Founded | 1995 as The Legacy Project |
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| Type | Museum |
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The Legacy Museum of African American History is a special place in Lynchburg, Virginia. It opened in 1995. This museum helps us learn about the amazing history of African Americans. It shows how they have contributed to many parts of life, like the fight for civil rights, business, sports, medicine, education, and the arts.
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History of the Museum
The museum started as an idea called "The Legacy Project." Before it had its own building, the Lynchburg branch of the NAACP helped support it.
Becoming a Non-Profit Museum
In 1995, The Legacy Project officially became a non-profit organization. This meant it could work to help the community without making money for owners. In 1997, the project bought an old, beautiful house at 403 Monroe Street in Lynchburg. It was over 100 years old!
An Architect named Kelvin Moore was hired to design how the house would become a modern museum. People also formed a committee to raise money, hoping to collect $300,000. Another group started gathering and saving important items for the museum's collection. That's when The Legacy Project officially became the Legacy Museum of African American History.
Grand Opening Celebration
Work to fix up the historic building began in March 1999. On June 25, 2000, a big celebration was held for the museum's grand opening. Dr. Vivian Pinn, who worked at the National Institutes of Health, gave a speech.
Two inspiring people, Drucilla Moultrie and Harry Ferguson, helped cut the ribbon. They were both over 90 years old and had been important in the civil rights movement. A six-year-old named Ashley Lewis also helped cut the ribbon, showing that the museum was for all ages.
Since 2006, the museum has worked with other museums in central Virginia. They share ideas and help each other grow.
Museum's Important Mission
The main goal of the museum is to "collect, preserve and store historical artifacts, documents and memorabilia relating to significant contributions of the African American Community in Lynchburg and its environs." This means they gather, protect, and keep safe all kinds of historical items. These items show the important things African Americans have done in Lynchburg and the areas around it.
The Sankofa Logo
The museum's logo is a special symbol called the Sankofa. This symbol comes from the Akan people of West Africa.
Meaning of Sankofa
The word Sankofa means "return and take from the past that which may have been forgotten in the past but which will be of use today and in the future." It's a reminder to look back at history and learn from it. The lessons from the past can help us in the present and the future. In Ghana, the Sankofa symbol is often seen on textiles (fabrics) and carved into special objects and tools.
See also
