African American History in Norfolk

The Attucks Theatre

The lovingly restored Attucks Theatre– which in its heyday was the focal point of entertainment, business, and racial pride in Norfolk’s African American community, is once again a star on Norfolk’s cultural stage. The theatre was financed, designed and constructed by African American entrepreneurs in 1919. The theatre was designed by Harvey Johnson, an African American architect and was named in honor of Crispus Attucks, an African American who was the first patriot to lose his life in the Revolutionary War.

Norfolk Botanical Garden

On June 30, 1938, Representative Norman R. Hamilton announced a Works Progress Administration (WPA) grant of $76,278 for the Azalea Garden project. Since most of the male labor force was at work with other projects for the city, a group of more than 200 African American women and 20 men were assigned to the Azalea Garden project.

West Point Monument

Norfolk is also the home to the West Point Monument at West Point Cemetery within Elmwood Cemetery.  The memorial is a tribute to African-American Union veterans of the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. The soldier depicted on the monument is Norfolk native Sgt. William H. Carney of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment. Carney was the first black soldier to receive Medal of Honor for his bravery. Nearly 100 African American veterans are laid to rest in the West Point Cemetery.

Martin Luther King Monument

Towering over the corner of Brambleton Avenue and Church Street, the 83-foot granite monument stands as a lasting tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other slain civil rights leaders. The memorial conceived by Joseph A. Jordan, Jr., former Norfolk Councilman and General District Court Judge, is inscribed with quotations of Dr. King and contains a fountain at its base.

Disclosure: The Statue is currently under repair at an off site location.

Chrysler Museum of Art

Black History presents an opportunity to explore and reflect upon the cultures and communities of not just African Americans, but peoples of African descent around the world and those residing on the African continent. The Chrysler Museum has a number of artists from the African Diaspora in its permanent collection as well as in its changing exhibitions.

Legends of Music Walk of Fame

Recognizes Hampton Roads natives who have made significant contributions of national or international significance to the world of music including Pearl Bailey, Gary “U.S.” Bonds, Ella Fitzgerald, Clarence Clemons and more.

Norfolk Trail of Honor

Located next to the Battleship Wisconsin, the trail includes a plaque dedicated to Sergeant William Harvey Carney, the first Black solider to receive the Medal of Honor.

St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church

Founded in 1840, it was the first African American Episcopal Church in Virginia, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 

Norfolk State University

Norfolk State is the 10th largest historically black university in the nation. The university is home to the Harrison B. Wilson Archives, African Art Gallery and a display of African-American history, folklore and culture can be found at the Lyman Beecher Brooks Library.