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  • Matthew Henson: The first African American to reach the North Pole

    This video shares the incredible story in Henson's own words from his 1912 autobiography "A Negro Explorer at the North Pole". The journey to learn more about his significant feat all started when one of our curators, Erika Cosme, decided to read more about Henson's impact on Black history...

  • Matthew A. Henson: The first African American to reach the North Pole

    • Black History
    • Collections
    • Exploration

    Matthew Henson was the first African American to reach and stand on one of earth’s farthest reaches – the North Pole. Hear about his adventures in his own words from his 1912 autobiography, A Negro Explorer at the North Pole.

  • The Lost Story of the Marcus Garvey Movement in Newport News

    • Black History
    • Cultural Heritage
    • Hampton Roads History

    Who was Marcus Garvey? Learn more about his significance not only to Black history and the world, but specifically to Newport News.

  • In the Spotlight: Illuminating a Trio of African American Figures

    Saturday, February 4, 2023 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

    Join us as we shed light on these historical figures to learn about their contributions and unique roles in our maritime history.

  • Investigating The Crime Of The Slave Ship Clotilda

    Dr. Natalie S. Robertson devoted 30 years of research, from Benin to Alabama, shares the story of Clotilda, the last American slave ship, and to tell the startling truth about the Clotilda smuggling crime.

  • Africa’s Kingdoms and Maritime Cultures: The Nilotic People

    Nilotic Peoples delves into the cultures, traditions, and practices of many of these tribal groups, and how they are viewed in our world today.

  • Abraham Lincoln, the Black Man’s President

    For the first time in the history of the United States, black people saw the president as their president and the White House as their people’s house.

  • More Hidden Histories Revealed

    After asking the community to help us gather full names and personal stories to bring recognition to these men, our understanding of the richness of our local, national, and global communities expanded greatly.

  • Hidden Histories: The Quest continues…

    • Black History
    • Collections
    • Cultural Heritage
    • Hampton Roads History

    “Hidden Histories” is a Museum project designed to give names, agency, and interpretation of unidentified African Americans in our Collections through genealogical research and community engagement.

  • Juneteenth, What’s it all about?

    • Black History
    • Cultural Heritage

    Tomorrow marks the 156th anniversary of Juneteenth, the oldest commemoration marking the end of slavery in the United States of America. Frederick Douglass, a former enslaved person himself, even referred to it as the second Independence Day. Also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day, the word “Juneteenth” is an amalgamation of “June” and the “19th.”. Let’s turn back the hands of time for a moment and look at what happened 156 years ago.

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