- Legacy Museum of African American History
Infobox Non-profit
Non-profit_name = Legacy Museum of African American History
Non-profit_
Non-profit_type = Museum
location = Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
founded_date =1995 as The Legacy Project
homepage = http://www.legacymuseum.orgThe Legacy Museum of African American History was established in
1995 in Lynchburg,Virginia . Its exhibits and permanent collection focus on topics central toAfrican American history , including the historic struggle forcivil rights ;business and employment; civic and social organizations;entertainment andsports ;medicine andhealth ; theBlack church ; the professions; political life;education ; communications; the family, and the arts. [ Legacy Museum of African American History Official Website [http://www.legacymuseum.org/mission/html] ]History
The Legacy Project was the name of the organization prior to its acquiring a building for a future
museum . It was initially sponsored by the Lynchburg branch of theNAACP .In 1995 it became incorporated with
501(c) non-profit status. In 1997 the Legacy Project acquired a 100-year-old, dilapidated but once-beautiful house at 403 Monroe Street, Lynchburg.Architect Kelvin Moore was hired to draw up plans to transform the house into a modern museum. A Capital Fundraising Committee was formed to raise $300,000, and a Collections Committee was formed to solicit and archive artifacts for the permanent collection. The Legacy Project became the Legacy Museum of African American History.Reconstruction of the building began in March
1999 . OnJune 25 ,2000 a celebratory dedication and grand opening was held. Dr. Vivian Pinn, Director of the Office of Research on Women's Health at theNational Institutes of Health , gave the opening address. The ribbon was cut by civil rightspioneer Drucilla Moultrie andhistorian Harry Ferguson, both in their 90s, and six-year-old Ashley Lewis. [ [http://www.legacymuseum.org/history.html history ] ]Since 2006, the museum has worked with the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and five other central Virginia museums to share ideas about programs and staff development. [ [http://www.imls.gov/news/2006/092806_list.shtm Grant] , Institute for Museum and Library Services]
Mission
The mission of the museum is “to collect, preserve and store historical artifacts, documents and
memorabilia relating to significant contributions of the African American Community in Lynchburg and its environs.” [ [http://www.legacymuseum.org/mission.html mission statement ] ]The Logo
The logo of the museum is the
Sankofa , a symbol used by theAkan people ofWest Africa . It means "return and take from the past that which may have been forgotten in the past but which will be of use today and in the future." InGhana the Sankofa is stamped ontextiles and carved on ceremonial objects and tools. [ [http://www.legacymuseum.org/history/html "History"] , Legacy Museum of African American History]References
External links
* [http://www.blackmuseums.org/ Association of African American Museums]
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