Archives
The Museum has a rich archival collection documenting the establishment of the first public schools for African American students in Alexandria in 1867 and local African American organizations in the City. It also records the life and times of prominent Alexandrians. Some of the papers that the Museum owns belonged to the following individuals:
Samuel W. Tucker, who in addition to his role in the 1939 Alexandria library sit-in, used his position as a lawyer to work for civil rights and whose career included association with famed civil rights attorneys, Oliver Hill and Thurgood Marshall.
Annie B. Rose, who was involved in numerous community organizations and served on many boards. Rose’s father Rev. Henry Bailey was sold into slavery from the notorious slave pen located at 1315 Duke Street in Alexandria. The building is designated a National Historic Landmark and now houses the Freedom House Museum, which was named in his memory.
Ferdinand Day, a civic activist who fought for the desegregation of Alexandria’s public schools and racial equity, became the first African American member of the Alexandria School board, and was selected as a Living Legend of Alexandria. Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School, dedicated in 2018, was the first new Alexandria City Public School (ACPS) to open since 2000 and is ACPS’s first STEM focused school.
See more collections from the Alexandria Black History Museum
IMLS Museum Grant for African American History and Culture
The Alexandria Black History Museum is a proud recipient of a 2021-2023 grant from the IMLS Museum Grants for African American History and Culture. This highly competitive and generous grant will enable the museum to digitize, interpret, and make four important archival collections publicly accessible, including the Rose and Day Collection.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit IMLS and follow us on facebook and twitter.