1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In Traveling Exhibit
To mark the 85th anniversary of the 1939 Sit-In, the Library has created a traveling exhibit for schools, libraries, museums, and other organizations to borrow and use to as an educational tool to teach about this early and lesser-known civil-right protest. The exhibit may be borrowed at no cost by oganizations in Virginia for a period of up to six weeks. Organizations outside of Virginia may also borrow the exhibit, but must cover the cost of shipping.
Background
In 1939, the Alexandia Library was the site of as lesser-known civil rights protest. The protest took the form of an organized sit-in at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library in Old Town. Five young black men were arrested after they each entered the library, requested a library card, and then sat down to read. Samuel W. Tucker, a young African American lawyer who organized the protest, then challenged the library's whites-only policy in court.
Read more about the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In at alexlibraryva.org/1939-sit-in.
About the Exhibit
The exhbit consists of eight self-supporting banner stands which are approximately 77” high and 36” wide. The banners have text and graphics on one side and are best viewed in a display space at least 12’ by 10’ (120 sq. ft). The panels include a brief history of the Alexandria Library, biographical information about the Sit-In participants, and a narrative of both the protest itself and the ensuing impact it had on the Library, City, and community.
How to Borrow the Exhibit
To borrow the exhibit, contact us at communications@alexlibraryva.org.
