The Robert Russa Moton Museum mourns the passing of Deaconess Louise Willis Foster. Foster who died on Friday, November 11, in Prince Edward County was the last remaining parental plaintiff in the civil case Dorothy E. Davis, et.al. v. County School Board of Prince Edward County, et.al.

April 23, 1951 students at the racially segregated R. R. Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia walked out on strike in pursuit of equal educational facilities. The student strike lasted two weeks, and on May 23, 1951 – a mere month later – 117 student plaintiffs and their parents filed Civil Action No. 1333, Davis v. Prince Edward calling for the desegregation of the county’s public schools.

Read the rest of this entry »

On Thursday, October 13, 2011, Ed Lewis, founder of Essence Magazine keynoted the First Annual Community Banquet held by the Robert Russa Moton Museum. Lewis first commended Lacy Ward and the Board of Directors for their hard work to see the Moton museum blossom and grow into what it is today. He continued by sharing his memories of spending summers in Farmville from age five to age fifteen, working on his grandparents’ farm with his many cousins, including Barbara Johns. Farmville has always held a special place in his heart. “For this Bronx boy with roots in Virginia, the stories shared remembrances and the traditions of my second home, Farmville, have always remained with me and my family.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Since its establishment by the Virginia State Legislature in 1992, the MLK Jr Memorial Commission has been committed to doing the following: promote the legacy and continuation of Dr. King’s work; coordinate and lead the observance of the King Holiday in the Commonwealth; provide year-round educational and commemorative activities; educate the public regarding Dr. King’s principles, achievements, and contributions; emphasize the totality of Dr. King as a scholar, theologian, orator, conciliator, community leader, and author; facility public policy analysis relative to his principles and teachings; foster appreciation of racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity in the Commonwealth; and provide opportunities for public discourse on contemporary issues.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Gloucester Institute and The Robert Russa Moton Museum present the “2011 Growing Solutionist Moton Forum,” sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The Honorable Ron Dellums, Vice Chairman of the J.C. Watts Companies and Daphne Reid, owner of New Millennium Studios in Petersburg, Virginia will be honored.

Mr. Dellums will be honored for his leadership as a U.S. Member of the House of Representatives and mayor of Oakland, California, as well as, his leadership with fighting Apartheid. Mrs. Reid will be honored for her work and leadership in the entertainment industry as an actress, business owner, and model. She will also be recognized for her philanthropic work and vision for The Virginia Scholarship and Youth Development Foundation.

Click this link form more information and to register for this event.

On Friday, September 30, 2011, people from across the Commonwealth of Virginia gathered in Gallery I of the Robert Russa Moton Museum to celebrate the completion of Phase I of Moton 2011, an 8,500 square foot permanent exhibit of the Moton story.

The event opened with a welcome by Robert Hamlin, President of the Moton Museum. “We thank you for coming out and sharing this day with us,” he said. “It is such an important story, not only for Prince Edward County or the town of Farmville but for the entire nation.”

Read the rest of this entry »