Living Legacies: African American History in the Fredericksburg Area aims to tell the overarching story of Fredericksburg by detailing, contextualizing, and celebrating the civic contributions of its African American community. Artifacts, images, and first-person narratives combine to create a multifaceted depiction of experience that centers the community’s resilience, creativity, joy, and accomplishments. Living Legacies answers the community’s call for comprehensive interpretation of African American history in Fredericksburg–a richly diverse city with no dedicated African American history museum. Curator Dr. Gaila Sims has cultivated a trusted relationship with descendants of some of the first families of Fredericksburg and her commitment to representing the community with respect and dignity shines in every aspect of the exhibit.
Zone 1: Slavery and freedom
Resistance, Revolt, and Experience
The exhibit starts with the period of enslavement. Artifacts from the era–like fugitive slave ads and handcuffs from a local plantation–contextualize the high stakes of slave uprisings and the remarkable bravery of those involved. A section on Black women and their labor underscores how enslaved people fueled Fredericksburg’s economy while stories of free Black families during this time show how their contributions to education, entrepreneurship, and community building laid the groundwork for the success of generations to come.
