05.30.2024

Today’s Forecast

78º | 9% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 5:50 a.m. | Sunset 8:24 p.m.

Culture

4,978 reasons to visit VMHC’s newest exhibit

Presented by a RICtoday Partner

A GIF showcasing black and white photos taken by photographer Andrew Feiler

The Rosenwald program helped educate Black children during the Jim Crow era. | Photos by Andrew Feiler

Did you know? A meeting in 1911 between famous educator Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald, the president of Sears, Roebuck and Company (once the world’s largest department store), helped pave the way for educational opportunities for Black children.

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) is celebrating the legacy of this unique school program with its newest exhibit, “A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America,” on view now through April 20, 2025.

The impact, by the numbers

Washington and Rosenwald established the Rosenwald program, which provided initial funding to build schools in predominantly-Black communities. They partnered with local governments and community members, who contributed money, land, materials, and labor to bring each project to life.

Between 1912 and 1937, the Rosenwald program helped build 5,357 structures across 15 Southern states, including 4,978 schools + shop buildings and teacher housing.

Inspired by this story, Atlanta-based photographer Andrew Feiler embarked on a three-year journey across the South to document the remaining school buildings and their alumni. His work turned into an award-winning book and a traveling exhibit — yes, the one currently being showcased at VMHC.

A black and white image of a restored classroom from Pine Grove School in Richland County, SC. — A restored classroom at Pine Grove School in Richland County, South Carolina, dating from 1923 to 1950.
|
Photo by Andrew Feiler

Feiler captures the essence of Rosenwald schools and their communities through 26 photographs and stories on display throughout the exhibit.

Additionally, VMHC teamed up with the Bray School Lab at William & Mary + various Rosenwald school community groups across the Commonwealth to curate a special section of the exhibit, focusing on the history of Virginia’s Rosenwald schools. Guests can immerse themselves in history through historical artifacts, images, oral interviews with alumni, and even a recreated classroom.

Plan your visit

Asked

Which notable Black member of Congress is an alumnus of a Rosenwald School?

A. Malcolm X
B. John Lewis
C. Medgar Evers
D. Adam Clayton Powell Jr.

Ready, set, quiz

Events

Thursday, May 30

46th Annual Richmond Greek Festival | Thursday, May 30-Sunday, June 2 | Times vary | Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Malvern Ave., Richmond | Free entry | This classic Richmond fest includes food, dancing, music, and treasures to be found at the bazaar.
Trace Nixon | Thursday, May 30 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Brambly Park, 1708 Belleville St., Richmond | Cost of purchase | Make a reservation to enjoy dinner and tunes from the Gone Country frontman.

Friday, May 31

Jurassic Quest | Friday, May 31-Sunday, June 2 | Times vary | Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. 3rd St., Richmond | $22-$36 | Travel back in time to interact with photorealistic dinosaurs, explore real fossils, and enjoy bounce houses and face painting.
Friday Cheers | Friday, May 31 | 6-9:30 p.m. | Brown’s Island, S. 7th St., Richmond | $10 | Get your tickets to see Sir Chloe with Prabir Trio and Deux Visages.
Flying Squirrels vs. Erie SeaWolves | Friday, May 31 | 6:35 p.m. | The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $10-$25 | The first 1,000 adults age 21 and older will go home with an Ardillas Voladoras Cerveza tank top.

Saturday, June 1

Community Yard Sale | Saturday, June 1 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Woodland Heights, Richmond | Free entry | Find new-to-you treasures at this neighborhood-wide sale.
Ashland Strawberry Faire | Saturday, June 1 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Randolph Macon College, 500 Henry St., Ashland | Free entry | Explore 300+ vendors and cheers to the strawberry harvest while raising money for Hanover County Public Schools and nonprofit groups.

Sunday, June 2

Richmond Recovery PrideFest | Sunday, June 2 | 12-4 p.m. | Diversity Richmond, 1407 Sherwood Ave., Richmond | Free entry | Kick off Pride at this sober event featuring drag performances, vendors, food, a mocktail bar, and tunes from DJ Statistics.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

Learn about the city’s guaranteed income pilot program tonight at 6 p.m. at the Byrd Theatre. The evening will include remarks from Mayor Stoney and a screening of the documentary “It’s Basic,” which examines similar programs around the country. Register to attend.

Eat

A new bakery will be included in the mixed-use Forest Hill development where Bank of America used to be. Janet’s Cafe & Bakery comes from Will Darsie and Janey Gioiosa, who met while working at MarieBette in Charlottesville. The opening is projected for spring 2025. (Richmond BizSense)

Arts

There are dozens of new murals covering the Carytown parking deck behind the Byrd Theatre. The Parking Lot Pieces are the work of 30+ local artists, organized by All City Art Club.

History

A new interactive exhibition opens at the Black History Museum this Saturday, June 1. “Virginia is for Music Lovers” will showcase the heritage of Black music through curated playlists, audio, and artifacts. Get tickets and make it a Jackson Ward evening with dinner at Southern Kitchen.

Transit

GRTC wants your feedback on a few stop relocations and a new way to wait for the bus. The pilot program will introduce pole-mounted bus benches at three stops. Check out the designs and share your thoughts.

Theater

Broadway In Richmond is bringing “The Book of Mormon” to the Altria Theater for a limited engagement Oct. 18-19. Tickets for the three performances will go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Outdoors

Fonticello Food Forest has new compost bins. The community garden is part of the Richmond’s free citywide composting program. Once collected, materials are processed and returned to the garden to fill its beds.

Shop

Peruse the work of 80 local vendors and find something special at Studio Two Three’s Spring Fling. The daily market runs from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. through Sunday, June 2.

Biz

Looking for a way to stay on top of the world’s latest business news? Meet The Daily Upside, a free, no-BS newsletter from Wall Street insiders delivering actionable insights on the latest market news. Skip the clickbait and stay informed alongside 1,000,000+ fellow readers. Try it for free.*

Eat

Looking to dine out this weekend? According to OpenTable, top-loved restaurants this month include Helen’s for food and The Tobacco Company Restaurant for ambiance.*

Civic

🌊 Is this thing on?

City to begin flood wall testing June 1

DPU officials address a community group in front of one of the flood wall’s gates. | Photo by RICtoday

The Dept. of Public Utilities begins its annual test of the flood wall this Saturday, June 1. The inspection includes closing and opening all 19 gates along the wall.

Fun fact: Since it was completed in 1995, there has yet to be an emergency situation where all the gates have been closed.

Be ready for some road closures and traffic delays in Shockoe Bottom and Manchester June 1-7.

Mayo Bridge | Closed to through traffic the weekend of June 1-2 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day
Byrd at 12th Street | Closed on Wednesday, June 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dock between 18th and 21st Streets | Closed on Wednesday, June 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
East Cary at 21st Street | Closed on Friday, June 7 from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The Buy

The Buy 5.30.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A bristle-free grill brush — so you can clean your grill until it’s like new without bristles shedding onto your cooking surface.

The Wrap

Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin

From the editor

Now that the Squirrels are back in town for homestands against Erie and Altoona, I’ve got my eye on a few games — including tomorrow’s Ardillas Voladoras tank top giveaway. I still need to take the plunge on a convenient clear bag to really up my summer ballpark experience.

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