African-American Heritage Itinerary

Learn about the Region’s rich and varied African-American heritage.

• Jackson Ward - This 40-block neighborhood was known as the “Harlem of the South” from the 1920s through the 1960s. It is home to the following attractions. Allow 30 minutes for drive time.
• Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site - Honors the life of Walker, the first woman to charter and serve as president of a bank in the United States. Allow 60-90 minutes.
• Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Statue - World-famous for his tap dancing on stage and screen, Richmond native Robinson is honored as a favorite son with a statue depicting his likeness. Allow 15 minutes.
• Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church - This church was organized in 1867 by the Rev. John Jasper, a former slave and nationally celebrated preacher. Allow one hour.
• Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia - Houses artifacts and records commemorating the accomplishments of African-Americans with a focus on Virginia. Allow 60-90 minutes.
• Maymont House - “In Service & Beyond: Domestic Work and Life in a Gilded Age Mansion” showcases the interactions of employer and employees, most of whom were African-American. Allow two hours.
• Valentine Richmond History Center - Focuses on the urban and social history of the Region. Allow 60-90 minutes.
• Richmond National Battlefield Park Civil War Visitor Center - Learn about the war’s impact on the people of Richmond, including African-Americans. Allow 90 minutes.
• Museum in Memory of Virginia E. Randolph- This museum honors a pioneer educator, humanitarian and daughter of slave parents. Allow 45-60 minutes.
• Canal Walk - The “African Americans and the Waterfront” monument chronicles African-American contributions to the development of Richmond’s riverfront. Allow 30 minutes.
• Arthur Ashe Monument - The newest addition to Monument Avenue’s line of sculptural icons, this statue honors Richmond native Ashe, a world-class tennis player and humanitarian. Allow
  30 minutes.
• Virginia State University - Chartered in 1882 as the nation’s first state college for African-Americans. Allow 45-60 minutes.
• The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar - The first museum to interweave the Union, Confederate and African-American stories of the Civil War in a national context. Allow one
  hour.
• Virginia Historical Society - The contributions of Virginia’s African-American citizens are woven throughout multiple galleries. Allow 60-90 minutes.
• Virginia Union University - Founded in 1865, VUU is among the nation’s oldest historically black universities. Allow 60-90 minutes.
• Manchester Slave Trail - From 1680 until 1780, Richmond was a principal port of entry for Africans being sold into slavery. The Manchester Slave Trail is a memorial to those who walked that route. Allow two to three hours.
• Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue – The statue completes the triangle of Richmond; the city of Liverpool, England; and the Republic of Benin, each of which played a prominent role in the slave trade. Three identical statues symbolize a commitment to new relationships based on honesty and forgiveness. Allow 30 minutes.
• Virginia Civil Rights Memorial - In 1951, Barbara Johns and other students led a strike to protest the conditions at their racially segregated school. The students then contacted NAACP attorneys; the lawsuit that followed was joined with four other cases as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas (1954), which ruled against “separate but equal” education. This memorial recognizes these Virginians.
• Annual Festivals - Many festivals celebrate African-American heritage including Fridays at Sunset (May-August), Juneteenth (June), Down Home Family Reunion (August), Second Street Festival (October) and Capital City Kwanzaa Festival (December). Allow three hours each.