February is Black History Month, and did you know that 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the first Black history celebration in America? Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who was born and raised right here in the Commonwealth, established the first Black history observance, Negro History Week, in February 1926. The 2026 commemoration of Black History Month — themed “A Century of Black History Commemorations” — highlights a century of progress, resistance, and the inclusion of Black history as essential American history.
There are so many ways to celebrate the accomplishments of those who’ve contributed to the story of our nation, and particularly our region. To learn about and honor these incredible individuals, read about them and then visit the following places right here in our area.
Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
The Black History Museum and Cultural Center seeks to become a permanent repository for visual, oral and written records and artifacts commemorating the lives and accomplishments of Black Virginians and the many facets of Black history through exhibitions, discussions and celebrations.
One of several new exhibitions, Arthur Ashe: An Enduring Legacy celebrates one of Richmond and Virginia’s Black history icons. The exhibition spotlights both Arthur Ashe’s early life in Richmond and his travels throughout Virginia, the U.S., and beyond that made him a true Citizen of the World. Artifacts, images, and documents help tell the story of how Ashe’s accomplishments, both on and off the tennis courts, impacted our global community. A technology-based, immersive presentation of memorable moments in Ashe’s life, this exhibition will be presented through BHMVA’s partnership with UCLA, Ashe’s alma mater.
The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Virginia Museum of History and Culture
Bringing together artifacts and rich stories from across the Commonwealth, Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865 tells the stories of free Black Virginians from the arrival of the first captive Africans in 1619 to the abolition of slavery in 1865. It is one of the first museum exhibitions to cover the subject in depth and includes powerful artifacts, first-person accounts, and more than 200 years of stories, as well as newly commissioned portraits by award-winning photographer Ruddy Roye of some of the descendants of free Black Virginians. The exhibition is on display alongside VMHC’s multiyear commemorative exhibitions and displays related to America’s 250th anniversary and will be at VMHC until July 4, 2027.
Join members of the VMHC education team for 30-minute highlight tours as they offer you an introduction to Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865, every Saturday in February at 10:30 a.m. The tour is included with Museum admission, and registration is required due the popularity of the tour.
Learn more about the exhibition.
Check out all of the Museum’s February events here.
Bonus! You can see one of Arthur Ashe’s tennis rackets on display at VMHC, too!
The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, on display through March 1, is a larger-than-life exhibition that explores the profound and prolific contributions of Black artists to the field of contemporary art. See nearly 130 objects of the famed Dean Collection, including iconic works of art by nearly 40 “giants” of the art world.
Maggie L. Walker Historic Site
Walker (1864-1934) was a businesswoman, teacher and the first African-American woman to charter a bank and serve as its president in the United States. As a leader, Walker achieved successes with the vision to make tangible improvements in the way of life for African Americans has a Junior Ranger program for children to complete virtually. After completion, children receive a Junior Ranger badge. The National Historic Site offers a podcast, so families can take a walking tour of Jackson Ward while listening. Be sure to see Maggie’s statue at the intersection of West Broad Street and North Adams Street as part of your tour.
Robert Russa Moton Museum
Located in Farmville, this National Historic Site was where a group of courageous students led by Barbara Johns fought for equal rights. Ultimately, their case was one of the five to make up Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, which ruled segregation in public education unconstitutional. It’s both powerful and relatable to teach children about Johns, as she was a teenager who affected change in her community, and eventually our nation. Another idea is to take a walking tour of Capitol Square where you can see the statue of Barbara Johns and her community.
More to Explore
From exhibitions to special events to guided and self-guided tours, Richmond Region Tourism has a fantastic roundup of ways to celebrate Black History Month in Richmond. You’ll also find a list of Black-owned RVA businesses to support. Check out the full list here.
