More than 125 people from as far away as New Orleans and the Washington, DC area attended the opening reception for the exhibit “Invisible Roots and Legends: A Photographic View of African American History in Greenbrier Valley, West Virginia” on Sept. 20 at the Cooper Gallery at 122 East Washington Street, Lewisburg.
Those attending were able to view the 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, and entertainment as well as general family life. It also highlighted a few individuals who were born and raised in Greenbrier County, left the area and are making significant impact in various areas such as the U.S. Government, the Arts, etc.
Elizabeth McMullen, executive director of the Greenbrier Historical Society, said, “This exhibit is extremely well done and I am pleased to have helped with it. A visitor can start with the history of the Greenbrier area and then move to the individual sections or each section can stand on its own.”
Exhibit Curator and Greenbrier Historical Society Board member Janice Cooley led a brief tour of the exhibit pointing out photographs of special interest to her. Afterwards Cooley said, “We couldn’t have expected better! Thanks again to everyone who supported this effort.”
Some attendees were excited to identify and share the names of family members found in photos and not previously known. Gallery owner, Marilyn Cooper, promptly started a list.
On Friday, Sept. 26, from 6-8 p.m., at the Cooper Gallery, Cooley will facilitate an “open forum” featuring Greenbrier Historical Society
Archivist Jim Talbert who will present information about the history of Greenbrier County and African Americans in the Greenbrier Valley and answer questions from the audience.
This unique exhibit is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. until
Oct. 4.
(www.blog.greenbrierhistorical.org)