Opening Reception and Guided Trolley Tour
1:30 p.m. at the Fredericksburg Area Museum
Free and open to the public, tickets on Eventbrite, light refreshments
As part of larger citywide efforts to tell a more complete story of our community, the FAM has partnered with the City of Fredericksburg to develop new wayside panels showcasing diverse histories. On February 3rd at 1:30 p.m., the museum will host a reception celebrating the installation of five new panels scattered throughout the city. These will include a panel dedicated to Mr. Johnny P. Johnson at the corner of William and Sophia Streets, one on the Manahoac Indigenous Tribe near Fall Hill, one honoring the Original Walker-Grant School on Gunnery Road, one on Decoration Day, the precursor to modern Memorial Day celebrations, and finally, the first wayside panel in Mayfield, devoted to Dr. W.L. Harris.
Following the reception, Dr. Gaila Sims, Curator of African American History and Special Projects, will lead a trolley tour at 2:30 p.m. to view the new panels. Community members will introduce participants to each new panel: Ms. Gaye Adegbalola on Mr. Johnny P. Johnson and the Walker-Grant School, Dr. Brad Hatch on the Mannahoac, Reverend Hashmel Turner on Decoration Day, and Ms. Alexa McNeil on Dr. W.L. Harris. While the opening reception at the FAM is free and open to the public, participants on the trolley tour will need to reserve seats. Tickets are free but there is limited availability.
Additional trolley tours are scheduled for Saturday, February 10th and Saturday, February 17th at 1:30 p.m. To reserve a seat, visit Eventbrite.