EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY
Community Guides
Apply to become a community guide today.
Come join our upcoming Community Guides program!
It’s Friday 4:09 pm EST — We’re open. Come visit us!
About Our Center
Located in the Jefferson School City Center, The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center’s mission is to honor and preserve the rich heritage and legacy of the African-American community of Charlottesville-Albemarle, Virginia and to promote a greater appreciation for, and understanding of, the contributions of African Americans and peoples of the Diaspora locally, nationally and globally.
The Center features a permanent historical exhibit, a rotating contemporary art gallery, and a robust calendar of events, all of which combine to highlight Charlottesville’s African American history and culture of the African diaspora.
Contemporary Gallery
Veronica Jackson: A Constellation of BLACKTIVISTS
10 May – 9 August, 2025
Exhibition opening 10, May | 6-8 pm
The exhibition consist of two bodies of work, Jackson’s BLACKTIVISTS series, which she began in that considers the lives of 12 Black women activists and her Constellation of Blackness that uses the broadside format to articulate words by Audre Lourde and others that speak to the triumph of Black womanist self-accultalization.
Finally Remembered: The Black Patriots of Central Virginia
20 September – 31 January, 2026
Exhibition opening: 20 September | 6-8 pm
The exhibition honors the African American Men and Women who served in the Revolutionary War. Through rare documents, profiles, military records, and historical interpretation, it restores the visibility of those whose courage helped shape the nation’s founding.
Spotlight Events & Programs
HONORING OUR HISTORY
Center for Local Knowledge
By appointment Tuesday through Saturday & every third Saturday 10am–12pm
The Center for Local Knowledge promotes the study of Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
PRESERVING OUR LEGACY
Exhibitions
Gallery hours: Tuesday - Friday, 1pm–6pm; Saturdays 10am–1pm
Our permanent and contemporary exhibitions together suggest the continuum between our past and our present.
Upcoming Events
Tour
Saturday Public Tours
Time: Saturday, December 20, 2025December 20, 2025 - 10:30 AM - June 21, 2025 - 11:30 AM /
Join us for a one hour tour where we explore the local Black history.
Book tickets today for only $10.00.
Concerts
Sade Tribute 40 Years of Promise: A Celebration of the Music of Sade
Time: Saturday, November 22, 2025November 22, 2025 - 6:00 PM - October 10, 2025 - 9:00 PM /
Experience Live Music with Ivan Orr & Friends Join us for an unforgettable evening of sound and soul as Ivan Orr & Friends bring Sade’s Promise and other timeless favorites to life. Each note is performed with artistry and respect for the music’s true spirit, creating a performance you won’t want to miss. Upgrade to the VIP Experience− VIP Tickets include: Curated bites 2 drinks of your choice Preferred seating for the best view in the house VIP Experience– Doors open at 6:00 pm. Food served at 6:30 pm General Admission-Doors open at 7:00 pm. Seating is Limited. Don’t miss out! Get your tickets today! Check out Ivan Orr on IG instagram.com/iorr03
Tour
Murals & Memorials Tour
Time: Saturday, October 25, 202510:00 AM - 12:00 PM / Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
Join the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center for the next Murals & Memorials Tour, part of Phase II of the Swords into Plowshares project. Led by Executive Director Dr. Andrea Douglas, this guided tour explores four Charlottesville sites to examine how buildings, murals, and memorials shape our understanding of spatial justice, belonging, and collective memory. RSVP today and add your voice to the ongoing conversation about creating inclusive public spaces. Learn more at sipcville.com.
Become a Member
Become a Member!
As a JSAAHC Member you’ll receive:
- Free admission to exhibits and events.
- Discounts on workshops, lectures, and programs.
- Invitations to members-only events.
- Discounts in Alumni Room Museum Shop and Café
- And much more.
Help us plan for the future by taking our survey.
Help share authentic history by becoming a guide.
Hours:
Business hours 10 am -6pm;Exhibtion hours 1pm-6pm; Museum Shop and Cafe hours 9am-1pm
Location
233 4th St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903
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Hours
Heritage Center
Tuesday – Friday 1.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Saturday 10 am – 1 pm
Closed Monday & Sunday
Jefferson Heritage African American Center © 2020. All Rights Reserved