In late October 1910, thanks to the efforts of some of Richmond’s most prominent Black leaders, the “Colored State Fair” was held at the Virginia…
Kelley EwingOctober 1, 2021
In 1882, the newspaper Richmond Planet was born. Founded by 13 formerly enslaved Richmonders, the Planet was first edited by Edwin Archer Randolph, the first…
Emma ItoFebruary 24, 2021
In mid-October of 1899, Richmond's Black Community prepared to have a three day celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation complete with a large downtown parade. The Richmond…
Jessi BennettJune 19, 2020
Fit to Print invites you to read yesterday's Out of the Box blog which tells the tragic story of Albemarle County native, John Henry James.…
Kelley EwingJune 7, 2018
On 12 July 1898, an Albemarle County grand jury met to hear evidence against an African American man named John Henry James accused of assaulting…
Greg CrawfordJune 6, 2018
In the late spring of 1907, forty-two years after the end of the Civil War, Richmond was flooded with veterans and tourists for a 5…
Olin JohnsonJanuary 9, 2018
People have always been complex, making history a complicated topic. When history is distilled down to be straightforward, the reality of human failings and flaws…
Olin JohnsonJuly 27, 2017
A graduate student in Public History and two film students have created a short but excellent documentary for The National Museum of African American History…
Errol SomayMay 23, 2017
A single extant issue of the Reformer, an African American newspaper published in Richmond from 1895-1931, was recently added to Virginia Chronicle, the Library’s free and searchable…
Kelley EwingMay 17, 2016
On November 10, 1898, in response to the election of a biracial Fusionist government, a group of white Democrats in Wilmington, North Carolina organized a mob, attacking…
Anne McCreryNovember 10, 2015
The Library of Virginia is the home of the Virginia Newspaper Project. In 1997, the Library of Virginia moved to a new building at 800…
Errol SomayApril 30, 2014
Come on down to the Library of Virginia tomorrow night for what promises to be a fascinating discussion of the life and legacy of John…
Kelley EwingFebruary 18, 2014
John Mitchell, Jr., fighting editor of the Richmond Planet, was born 150 years ago today. Celebrate Mitchell’s birthday by checking out digitized copies of the Richmond Planet on Virginia…
Kelley EwingJuly 12, 2013