A photographic display, “Invisible Roots and Legends: A Photographic View of African-Americans in the Greenbrier Valley, West Virginia” will be on display at the Greenbrier Valley Campus of New River Community and Technical College through Mar. 13.
The exhibit consists of a collection of photographs and artifacts, from post-civil war to today, of African-Americans who have contributed to the growth and development of this area in business, religion, education, sports, politics, entertainment, as well as general family life. The exhibit highlights a few individuals born and raised in Greenbrier County, who subsequently left the area, and are now making a significant impact in various areas, such as U.S. government and the arts.
“This is an excellent opportunity to bring attention to the significant contributions made to the Greenbrier Valley and beyond by its African-American citizens,” said Roger Griffith, regional director of operations for Greenbrier Valley Campus.
Janice Cooley, a board member of Greenbrier Historical Society, has been the driving force and curator for the exhibit. She spent hours contacting individuals and families, locally and nationally, to provide items for the display.
Students from New River CTC guided by Dr. Chris Linsin, instructor of history, assisted with curation of the display, which first appeared at Cooper Gallery in Lewisburg.
Photographs and artifacts can be found on the second and third floors of Greenbrier Hall. The display is self-guided and visitors should check-in at the reception desk located on the second floor of Greenbrier Hall. Visitor parking is available in the main parking areas of the Lewisburg campus.
New River Community and Technical College serves nine counties in southeastern West Virginia from the Greenbrier Valley Campus (Lewisburg), Mercer County Campus (Princeton), Nicholas County Campus (Summersville), and Raleigh County Campus (Beaver/Beckley).