The Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society Inc. will sponsor a “virtual” talk by Dr. Carey Latimore IV on Sunday, Sept. 12, at 4 p.m. Dr. Latimore’s topic will be “The Continued Struggle: African Americans in Richmond, Pursuit of Community in the Aftermath of the Civil War.”
The end of the Civil War brought new challenges for African Americans. From the destruction of the war, anger of former masters, starvation, and Black codes, Black people faced significant obstacles that required their response. This talk examines how Black Richmonders pursued and cultivated successful diverse political, social, and economic coalitions that would see the community become one of the most successful black communities in the South. The experiences of Black Richmonders in the aftermath of the Civil War were spurred by the strength of the Black community during the antebellum period. Although not totally distinct to Black people in the city, the economic, political, and social environment in Richmond City provided opportunities unavailable to many Black people both inside and outside the city.
Dr. Carey H. Latimore IV is an associate professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. A Middlesex County native, he is a graduate of Middlesex High School, Rappahannock Community College, and the University of Richmond, who holds a Ph.D from Emory University. A prolific writer and lecturer, Dr. Latimore teaches courses on Black History and the Old South and is the co-director of Trinity’s African Studies Department. He was just recognized with Trinity University’s most prestigious faculty award — the Z.T. Scott award. Dr. Latimore is a Baptist minister who was ordained at Antioch Baptist Church in Saluda.
This virtual program may be accessed by Zoom video or by Zoom conference call. If you wish to receive access information, email middlesexmuseum@va.metrocast.net or call 804-758-3663.
On display at the museum
The Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society accessions consist of numerous memorabilia to remind Middlesex County residents of their past. One of the museums memorabilia is a label from the E.B. Wood and Brothers Tomato Packinghouse that was located in “Lot,” now called Hartfield, in the early years of the 20th century along a road still marked with their name.
The late Ruby Lee Norris of Topping started her professional life at 12 peeling tomatoes for E.B. Wood and Brothers and went on to become a member of the Board of Governors of the University of Mary Washington and a well-known Richmond area teacher, according to Larry Chowning’s “Signatures in Time, A Living History of Middlesex County, Virginia.”
The Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society is pleased to have this canning label as part of its collection, a museum spokesman said. Contact the museum via its website at middlesexmuseum.com if you have any specific historical item or information to share with it.
Retrospective Art Show postponed
Due to unforeseen circumstances, including the local rise in COVID-19 and its variants, the planned opening night and reading at the Middlesex County Museum this weekend for the Retrospective Art Show, has been postponed.
However, the show itself is still on for viewing through the month of September, and still accepting new artwork, if readers have art of any medium (be creative!) about Middlesex they would like to submit — something gone, soon to be gone, or still around and worth remembering.
Arts in the Middle thanks all of its supporters, especially during these uncertain times.
