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.
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.
It’s Thursday 1:14 am EST — Sorry, we’re closed. Visit us when we’re open!
Daily: 1 pm – 6 pm, Sat 10 am - 1 pm
Mon, Sun - Closed
For over 5 decades Robert Reed (1938-2014) investigated abstraction through multiple media, including printmaking, painting and collage. Reed was born in Charlottesville and attended local schools. Although he left the city at the age of 15, he returned to the area often, both through his paintings and through his many visits. He maintained a studio in Charlottesville and served on the board of Virginia Center for Creative Arts. The exhibition explores Charlottesville through his eyes and the reminiscences of those who knew him.
Leslie M. Scott-Jones is a African-American southern woman from Virginia, encompassing all that entails. She became the Artistic Director of the Charlottesville Player’s Guild in 2016. In 2019 she played Queen Gertrude in her own adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet called Hambone. Under the leadership of Dr. Andrea Douglas, the Executive Director of the Jefferson School African-American Heritage Center which the Guild calls home, CPG has embarked on a mission to produce all ten of August Wilson’s Century Cycle.
Leslie has starred in Fences playing the part of Rose, directed Jitney, stage managed The Piano Lesson and produced Joe Turner’s Come and Gone by August Wilson. She played Louise in Seven Guitars by August Wilson which ran in November 2017 with UVa.’s Drama Department.
Sign up to compete as a cook!
When you hear someone say, "Let me fix you a plate," you are hearing love. With the Greens Cook-Off we celebrate that communal moment. We also celebrate past traditions and future innovation. We redefine what southern cooking looks like.
Entry to the Cook-Off is free. We ask for suggested donation of $5 so that we can celebrate our winners.
6 week classes Begin Jan. 22, 2022
We invite you to help us educate our community. Saturdays from 10am to 1pm you will engage with the Black history of Charlottesville while learning to impart it to visitors as a exhibition guide. Apply to become a community guide today.
By appointment Tuesday through Saturday & every third Saturday 10am–12pm
The Isabella Gibbons Local History Center promotes the study of Charlottesville and Albemarle County local histories and fosters a deeper understanding of our community’s lived environment.
Gallery available Tuesday through Friday 3pm–6pm and Saturdays 10am–12pm
Guided tours of our permanent and contemporary exhibitions are available for groups of 10–30 adults. Book your tour or view tour dates and time availability on our calendar.
Season tickets available for 2022-23
JSAAHC’s Charlottesville Players Guild is on a mission to make sure every Black artist knows what it is like to create within a completely Black space. Purchase a season subscription for our BLACK INDIGENEITY Season!
Entry to the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center is free. However, due to limited space in exhibition galleries, visitors must now obtain a general admission ticket to visit. Groups are limited to no more than eight people. Groups must obtain a timed group ticket.
233 4th St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Heritage Center
Tuesday – Friday 1.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Saturday 10 am – 1 pm
Closed Monday & Sunday
