Civil Rights Saturday

The Civil Rights Saturday program cosponsored by the Alexandria Black History Museum and Living Legends of Alexandria was so successful we plan to host another this summer. Stay tuned for details.

The free interactive program about Civil Rights locally and nationally featured an overview by acting museum director Audrey Davis of the current exhibition "Sit Down and Take a Stand:  Samuel Wilbert Tucker and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in."  The 75th anniversary of the historic event occurs this year and was one of the earliest civil rights actions in the United States.

Former hate crimes prosecutor Howard Feinstein chronicled some of  his experiences in the deep South including a reading from his book Fire on the Bayou: True Tales from the Civil Rights Battlefront.

And as part of Family Legends of Alexandria, adults and children joined local storyteller and book artist Sushmita Mazumdar for a bookmaking activity. Family Legends of Alexandria is a program of Living Legends of Alexandria.

 

 

 

Photos by Nina Tisara/Living Legends of Alexandria

Civil Rights Saturday

Press Release: May 1, 2014

For Immediate Release

Contact: Audrey Davis, 703.746.4356

 Civil Rights Saturday - A Free Interactive Activity

Teaching Families about the Civil Rights Locally and Nationally

The Alexandria Black History Museum, in cooperation with the Living Legends of Alexandria/Family Legends Project, will present Civil Rights Saturday on May 24, 2014, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. This educational and fun event is free and open to the public.

This event will feature a book signing for Fire on the Bayou: True Tales from The Civil Rights Battlefront, written by Howard Feinstein. This new book chronicles Mr. Feinstein’s experiences as a federal hate crimes prosecutor in the deep South. Guests are invited to hear a reading from the author, and he will be available to sign copies of the book.  Fire on the Bayou: True Tales from The Civil Rights Battlefront has been nominated for a 2014 Dayton Literary Peace Prize.

Afterwards, join acting Director Audrey Davis for an overview the featured exhibition, “Sit Down and Take a Stand: Samuel Wilbert Tucker and 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in.” The 75^th anniversary of this historic event occurs in 2014, and was one of the earliest civil rights actions in the United States.

To conclude the program, families may join artist Sushmita Mazumdar for storytelling / book making activity. Share a story of a personal civil rights experience. Participants will make a book they can take home which can become a family keepsake.  This activity is suitable for adults and children 10 years and over.

Space is limited, and reservations are recommended. Participation will be limited to the first 20 people who reserve. For information and reservations, please call 703-746-4356.

The Alexandria Black History Museum is located at 902 Wythe Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, in the Parker-Gray Historic District.  The Museum is five blocks from the Braddock Road Metro Station on the Yellow or Blue lines. Street parking is available. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org .