Orange County African American Historical Society | OCAAHS | Orange County Virginia

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African American Diaspora

A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. MARCUS GARVEY

The Orange County African American Historical Society (OCAAHS) was founded to explore African American contributions to the cultural and historical heritage of Orange County, Virginia.

We also seek to enhance and promote awareness of the accomplishments and contributions of people of African descent as organic and essential components of our community, and of our nation, at large.

Toward those ends, we endeavor to identify, research and preserve African American legacies, lore, and historical sites.

allan jackson.jpg

Allan Jackson

Latest News & Updates from OCAAHS

Fifth Annual OCAAHS Eclipse Awards

OCAAHS launched the Eclipse Award program five years ago to honor those who have consistently gone above and beyond in raising awareness of Orange County’s African American people and history. In 2020, the Society created a separate category for youth. The Eclipse Youth Award includes a small scholarship and recognizes young people who have demonstrated through their volunteerism, leadership, and other activities a commitment to raise awareness of Orange County’s African American people and history. With gratitude for their presence in our community, we present to you the Class of 2022 Eclipse Award recipients.

We will celebrate them in person at our annual meeting on February 12, 2023.

2022 Eclipse Award recipients, in alpha order: Donea Brooks (Youth), Rebecca Gilmore Coleman, Jane Ware Johnson, Flossie Jones, Anthony Owens (Youth) and Jeff Poole.

Click on our latest updates and news below. View all, click here.

June 15 “Juneteenth: The Stories of Homecoming”

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Orange County African American Historical Society

June 15 “Juneteenth: The Stories of Homecoming”

The panel will focus on the power of oral histories and family stories. Panelists include Hannah Scruggs, Genealogy Reference Assistant, Robert F. Smith Family History Center, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Niya Bates, Ph.D. candidate, Department of History, Princeton University, and Justin Reid, Director of Community Initiatives, Virginia Humanities

June 8, 2022 “Juneteenth: Putting the Home in Homecoming”

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Orange County African American Historical Society

June 8, 2022 “Juneteenth: Putting the Home in Homecoming”

This panel will discuss the power of place and why place matters. Panelists include Dr. Matthew Reeves, former Director of Archaeology at Montpelier, Terry Miller, Curator of Carver 4-County Museum, Charde Reid, Historical Archaeologist and PhD Candidate at William & Mary, and J. Bruce Monroe, President of the Orange County African American Historical Society, and Jordy Yager, Digital Humanities Fellow at Jefferson School African American Heritage Center.

June 1,2022 “Juneteenth: A Homecoming Celebration”

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Orange County African American Historical Society

June 1,2022 “Juneteenth: A Homecoming Celebration”

This panel will focus on the meaning of Juneteenth, its role as an Independence day, how the celebration came to Virginia, and what Juneteenth will look like in the future. Panelists include Dr. Bettye Kearse author of The Other Madisons: The Lost History of a President’s Black Family, Zann Nelson, historian, columnist, and President of History Quest, and Audrey P. Davis, Director of the Alexandria Black History Museum.

What is OCAAHS? Zann Nelson Interview with Rebecca Coleman, Darryle Crump and Bruce Monroe

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Orange County African American Historical Society

What is OCAAHS? Zann Nelson Interview with Rebecca Coleman, Darryle Crump and Bruce Monroe

History Quest Meets Right the Record with Zann Nelson What is OCAAHS? Interview with Rebecca Coleman, Darryle Crump and Bruce Monroe Inquiring minds want to know. To answer that question Zann Nelson interviews the three presidents of the organization spanning its 22 years: Rebecca Coleman co-founder and longest serving president; Rev. Darryle Crump the immediate past-president for 6 years and James “Bruce” Monroe, III the current president. Zann Nelson is a historian, researcher and writer. She is the president of History Quest and Right the Record and serves as Vice President of the Orange County African American Historical Society (OCAAHS). Under the umbrella of the Right the Record Project she will be conducting a series of interviews associated with OCAAHS and Juneteenth 2022.

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