Middlesex County Museum Preservation Award To Go to Black Church Cultural Affairs Committee

The Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society, Inc. will present its 2019 Preservation Award to the Black Church Cultural Affairs Committee.

The presentation will take place on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 3 p.m. at Antioch Baptist Church, 159 Oakes Landing Road, Saluda.

This annual award is presented to individuals or entities who have made significant contributions to the public understanding of Middlesex County history. In 1994, the Black Church Cultural Affairs Committee, with Norfolk historian Tommy Bogger, published A History of African-Americans in Middlesex County, 1646-1992. This volume remains the only comprehensive history of African Americans in Middlesex County. The award will be presented to the Reverend Robert D. Brown and the Reverend Fred D. Holmes, Jr. as representatives and only surviving members of the Committee. Certificates will be presented posthumously to the other committee members. They are Lucy W. Carter, Katherine G. Amy, Faye L. Beverley, Easter Duster Holmes, Sherman T. Holmes, Sr., Wilma Jenkins Powell, and Roberta Harris White.

The award presentation will be a part of the opening program for the 2019 Strong Men and Women in Virginia History traveling exhibition that will be on display at the museum through November 6. Strong Men and Women recognizes African Americans, past and present, who have made noteworthy contributions to the commonwealth. This exhibition from the Library of Virginia is made possible with support from Dominion Energy. King and Queen native, preacher, community activist, and 2019 Strong Men and Women honoree, the Reverend Andrew Jackson White, Sr. will be the keynote speaker for the October 6 program..

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. For further information about the exhibition and program, call 804-758-5163.