NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Portsmouth has created a museum of local black history in a building that once was a Jim Crow era-library.
Under a memorandum of agreement, the city will fund the Portsmouth Community Colored Library Museum’s operation, maintenance and management. The city also will insure the 900-square-foot building and exhibits while they are on display.
The Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/1rfpSG3 ) reports that the agreement between the city and the African American Historical Society of Portsmouth became effective July 1.
The historical society spearheaded the effort to create the museum. It retains ownership of all artifacts and will offer them to the museum on loan. It also will provide volunteers, raise funds, and promote museum programming, exhibits and events.
The building served as a library for black residents from 1945 until 1962.
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Information from: The Virginian-Pilot, http://pilotonline.com
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