The Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society, Inc. will host the 2019 Strong Men and Women in Virginia History traveling exhibition from October 2 through November 6.
This annual program recognizes African Americans, past and present, who have made noteworthy contributions to the Commonwealth, reported Bessida White. The 2019 Strong Men and Women honorees are Lawrence A. Davies, minister and civic leader, Fredericksburg; Fannie W. Fitzgerald, educator and elementary school supervisor, Prince William County; Gladys B. West, mathematician and technology pioneer, King George County; William T. Stone, judge and civic leader, Williamsburg; Andrew J. White Sr., minister and community activist, Petersburg; Kwame Alexander, writer and youth advocate, Fairfax County; and Deanna Reed, mayor and mentor, Harrisonburg.
This exhibition from the Library of Virginia is made possible with support from Dominion Energy, said White.
The exhibition opening program will be held at 3 p.m. October 6 at Antioch Baptist Church, 159 Oakes Landing Road, Saluda. King and Queen native, preacher, community activist and Strong Men and Women honoree, the Rev. Andrew Jackson White Sr. will be the keynote speaker.
A highlight of the program will be the presentation of the 2019 Middlesex Museum Preservation Award, a recognition given annually for efforts to document and preserve the history of Middlesex County.
The museum is pleased to announce this year’s award will be presented to the Rev. Robert D. Brown and the Rev. Fred D. Holmes Jr. as representatives and only surviving members of the Black Church Cultural Affairs Committee. In 1994, this group published what remains the only comprehensive history of African Americans in Middlesex County. Deceased members of the committee will be acknowledged.
Following the program at Antioch there will be an opportunity to view the exhibition and to have refreshments at the Middlesex County Museum, 777 General Puller Highway, Saluda, This program is free and open to the public. It is co-sponsored by Middlesex County NAACP Unit 7091 and Middle Peninsula African-American Genealogical and Historical Society.