News Release

African American Legacies of Appomattox: A Community Curation Event

News Release Date: April 13, 2022

Contact: David Wooldridge, 434-352-8987 x236

Appomattox, Va. – Appomattox Court House NHP announces “African American Legacies of Appomattox: A Community Curation Event” to be held at Galilee Baptist Church on Saturday May 7, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  This curation event seeks to find and digitize historic documents and artifacts associated with the early history of the Black community in Appomattox. The park is particularly interested in materials focused on local events, families, and the Black community before, during, and after the Civil War. 

Park staff will digitally scan or photograph all historical materials brought to this event, and all participants will receive a free digital copy to take home with their items. Galilee Baptist Church, the first African American church in Appomattox formed after the Civil War, has partnered with the park to host this first scanning event, and the church will provide light refreshments. 

With the permission of participants, the park will use the digitized files to better understand and share the stories of Black Americans connected to Appomattox. The digital resources and information gathered from this event may be used in future exhibits, interpretive programs, signs, or educational offerings. 

Do you have traditional family stories related to Black history in Appomattox? Make an appointment while attending this event to provide an oral history later.

Masks may be required indoors at this event.