Portsmouth Community Library facts for kids
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Portsmouth Community Library
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 906 Elm St., Portsmouth, Virginia |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | less than one acre |
| NRHP reference No. | 10000544 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 12, 2010 |
The Portsmouth Community Library, also known as the Portsmouth Colored Community Library, is a special historic building in Portsmouth, Virginia. It was built a long time ago, in 1945, to help African American people in Portsmouth have a place to read and learn. Today, it's not a library anymore, but a museum that tells important stories about local African American history.
A Special Place for Reading
The Portsmouth Community Library was built in 1945. It was a one-story building made of brick with a sloped roof. Its main purpose was to provide books and a reading space for African Americans in Portsmouth. At that time, public libraries in many places were separated by race.
A very important person in the library's early success was Bertha Edwards. She was the first librarian. Ms. Edwards worked hard to raise money for the library. Her efforts helped the library become a valuable resource for the community.
Changes and New Beginnings
In 1959, two local dentists, Dr. James Holley and Dr. Hugo A. Owens, took legal action. They successfully sued the City of Portsmouth. They wanted the public library system to be "integrated." This meant that libraries should be open to everyone, no matter their race.
Because of this lawsuit, the Portsmouth Community Library closed in 1962. After it closed, the building was moved two times. First, in 1967, it was moved to a church parking lot. Then, in 2007, it moved to its current spot at 904 Elm Avenue.
In 2010, the library building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historical places in the United States.
The Library as a Museum
Today, the building is no longer a library. The City of Portsmouth now runs it as a museum. It focuses on the history of African Americans in the local area.
Inside the museum, you can see old photographs and special items. There are also books and journals from the original library. These displays help visitors learn about the past.
The African American Historical Society of Portsmouth worked hard to make the historic library a museum. Thanks to their efforts, the museum opened its doors in 2013. It continues to share important stories with the community.
