Written By: Adina Vega
Edited By: Michelle Sosa and Genevieve Hammang
An outside view of the Valentine Richmond History Center in Richmond, Virginia.
February is typically known for Valentine’s Day, a day when we celebrate love. However, February also celebrates Black History Month, where we dedicate remembrance and appreciation for African culture. This blog post does not focus on romantic love but rather on the preservation and education of the problematic yet rich history of Richmond, Virginia, and the celebration of Black History Month. The Valentine Richmond History Center (VRHC) and the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia (BHMVA) are institutions that have showcased memorabilia, artifacts, and relics that celebrate and reveal Virginia’s 400-year history for over 125 years.
Located in the vibrant historic downtown, the VRHC provides an ideal environment for tourists and locals to explore stories highlighting the area’s rich heritage. Meanwhile, the BHMVA, located in the historic Jackson Ward, collaborates with other local museums to gather, document, and analyze the history and culture of African Americans by shedding light on narratives that often remain untold and overlooked. Both museums showcase innovative initiatives that promote cultural pride and strengthen unity while cultivating a more open and inclusive community.
The VRHC, the first private museum in Richmond, was established in 1898 by its founder, collector Mann S. Valentine, Jr. II. Valentine was the creator and producer of Valentine’s Meat Juice, a health tonic made from pure beef juice that was once thought to cure ailments like digestive issues and influenza.
Valentine started collecting artifacts like arrowheads in a cigar box, which quickly grew to hundreds of items. He and his brother, an avid collector and sculptor, provided the initial bequest for the Valentine Museum. The Museum has since evolved from general art and history to focus on Richmond’s life and heritage. Through its collections, exhibitions, and programs, the Center aims to reflect and interpret the broad issues and diverse communities that shape the history of Richmond and the surrounding counties.
The Valentine Meat Juice Company used between 15,000 and 20,000 pounds of beef cattle daily to produce the juice, which claimed to cure pneumonia and influenza. This photograph and the original bottles of Valentine Meat Juice are displayed at the VRHC.
At the BHMVA, visitors can explore artifacts on interactive touch screens that showcase the history of Black Americans, mainly focusing on Black Virginians. The museum features permanent exhibits and unique displays, such as the 2020 installation of Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty. This exhibit tells the story of enslaved individuals who built and sustained Monticello, the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson, a United States Founding Father. Another display, A Prescription for Change: Black Voices Shaping Healthcare, highlights the contributions of Black professionals in the medical field, particularly in dentistry, nursing, and family medicine. One of the more popular installations is Funky Turns 40: Black Character Revolution, which narrates the history of Black cartoonists and animators.
A photo circa 1900 photo shows Black students training in dental care. The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia (BHMVA) exhibitions share a rich tapestry of Black history and culture in Richmond and beyond.
Richmond was once the capital of the Confederacy for most of the American Civil War and became an industrial hub. While a harrowing tale, the Civil War brought numerous manufacturing opportunities for the city and people of Richmond. The BHMVA and VRHC help us relive the stories and inventions of that era. Both museums cast a sometimes challenging light on Richmond’s history and the South as a whole. The Civil War’s effects on Black Americans are one of the many reasons Black History Month is recognized and celebrated. May Richmond and the world always remember the racial injustices and significant political movements we reflect on during this month. As Congressman John Lewis, a prominent figure in our nation’s civil rights movement and an advocate for equality, states, “A movement without storytelling is like birds without wings.”
For more information on hours and ticket prices, visit the links for BHMVA and VRHC.
The Valentine and Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia informs the public about racial and gender injustices through monuments, exhibits, programming, and community engagement.
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