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Kwanzaa at Legacy

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Legacy Museum

The Legacy Museum of African American History offered two opportunities for the public to learn about and plan for Kwanzaa, a craft workshop from 10:30-1:30 Saturday, December 10 and an Open House from 2:00 to 4:00 Sunday December 11. Both events were held at the Legacy Activity Center, 415 Monroe ST.. The were free and open to all.

Phyllistine Mosley explains the seven principles of Kwanzaa

Noah Teasley with his door hanger

Kwanzaa is an African American celebration of family, community, and culture that traces its origins to the first harvest festivals held throughout Africa. Its name is derived from the Swahili phrase for first fruits, ‘matunda ya kwanzaa’. It is celebrated through-out the African diaspora from December 26 through January 1.

Legacy celebrates Kwanzaa as part of its mission to stimulate an appreciation of the diversity of the African American experience.

At the craft workshop for children and families participants will learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa while they design and make Kwanzaa gifts using stamps of Ghanaian adinkra symbols. The Open House on Sunday December 11 will feature information, displays of home decorations, and refreshments. Special Kwanzaa wreaths will be sold to benefit the Museum. The Museum featuring the retrospective exhibit, “Celebrating Commuity! The Legacy Museum’s First Ten Years’ will also be open at those times.

For information and reservations for the workshop, call the Museum at 434-845-3455.

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Amherst County Training School

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Legacy Museum

Pastor Margaret Nelson, Colonel US Air Force (Ret.)

: Panelists Hon. Willard Douglas, Jr. and Patricia Rose

On Saturday November 19 at 3 p.m. The Legacy Museum of African American in collaboration with the Amherst Glebe Arts Response screened the oral history documentary, “Three Schools: Amherst Training School” followed by recollections and reflections by some of those who taught and studied in the school.

The highlight of the afternoon were remarks by former teacher Edith Jones, a spry 103! Ms Jones spoke enthusiastically about her days in the classroom and repeatedly expressed her love of teaching. Several of the former school pupils who were present fondly noted how ‘Miss Edith” made first grade a non-threatening and happy experience.

The panelists all expressed their gratitude to their teachers and parents who were determined that they should succeed–and they did–going on to serving their country in the military and becoming valuable members of their communities.

Panelists include former Amherst Training School students: Judge Willard Douglas, the first Black judge in Virginia, Patricia Rose, owner of What a Blessing Bakery, Gloria Higginbotham, Jean Higginbotham-Sandige, and Pastor Margaret Nelson. Col. U.S. Air Force, (Rt.). Lynn Rainville, Director of the Tusculeum Institute at Sweet Briar College, and Lynn Kabel, President of the Glebe Arts Response, moderated the discussion.