On Juneteenth 2021, the Newport News Public Library unveiled a local history exhibit titled Until Freedom Comes: The African American Experience in Newport News, viewable on the walls of one of the library system’s branches, the Main Street Branch. This exhibit chronicles the history of African Americans in Newport News from 1623 to the present day. This unique exhibit documents the experiences of African Americans in the City of Newport News, covering historical periods such as enslavement, the Civil War, Jim Crow, and Reconstruction, as well as contemporary events in local African American history. The exhibit strives to place local events within the context of a national framework.
The exhibit is part of a larger initiative the library is undertaking to increase its resources and programs focused on local African American history, headed by the library’s local history department, the Virginiana Room. Except for printing and installation, a project team of five library staff members was responsible for every aspect of the exhibit; we used Adobe products to design the exhibit. It took us about 18 months to complete the project; our project timeline would have been longer if not for library closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project was a challenge and a test of cooperation and communication skills, but absolutely worth the effort.
Mayor & Mrs. Price Viewing the Exhibit
The exhibit occupies a space and size that makes it hard to miss. It covers about half the walls of the library building’s second floor, about 132 feet long, and stands about 10 feet high, almost floor to ceiling. Despite this, we did not have enough space to include every story, event, and figure from Newport News’ past. But the exhibit is only meant to give a broad overview of the African American history of Newport News, acting as a conversation starter rather than a comprehensive study.
The physical materials used for the fabrication of the exhibit have held up well over the past four years. The wall panels are made of vinyl fabric covered with laminate, and we were able to construct our own reader rail panels made of PVC board. Also included are several quick response (QR) codes that visitors can scan with their mobile device, taking them to a website the library created with additional exhibit content, including related audio recordings, images of historical documents, stories, and oral re-enactments. Visitors have also requested guided tours of the exhibit, which Virginiana Room staff provides.
A few years ago, Newport News Tourism started an initiative to highlight African American cultural sites. Because of the exhibit, they asked to collaborate with NNPL, including the exhibit in their list of significant cultural attractions, and resulting in more exposure for the Virginiana Room, the library, and its programs.
The exhibit evokes strong responses from library visitors, both in favor and against. Comments have been made that the exhibit is inappropriate for a library and too political.
Positive responses included saying the exhibit “would serve as a great model for other libraries that wish to acknowledge the sometimes-difficult history of their community.” Others stated that it included “groundbreaking content” and will “hopefully have a lifelong impact on how participants reflect on our history and how we shape our future.”
Library visitors have also said that the exhibit makes quite a statement, and I agree. I think the exhibit makes the statement that Newport News Public Library values history and values Newport News’ Black community. Overall, the exhibit is a unique feature of the library, and we were able to give the community increased access to its history in a free and welcoming space. I feel proud to see it on our walls, especially in today’s political climate. We hope that this exhibit will inspire others to research, study, and honor our local African American history.
The project was partially supported by a grant from Virginia Humanities.
–Jillian Wagner, Senior Librarian for Virginiana Room, Newport News Public Library
