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PROGRAMS CALENDAR
Academic Year 2010

**All Programs are Subject to Change:**

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Celebrating African American Trailblazers
1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Education Center, Hampton University Museum

Today’s Trailblazers of Tidewater:  African Americans of Achievement program for children will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the Hampton University Museum from 1 to 3 PM.  The panel of 10 will give their pathways to success in careers ranging from mayor to physician to musician.  The program message to youth is "You can do it, too". This event, free and open to the public is sponsored by The Special Volunteers For Children and The Arts. The event will be held on the second floor, Hampton University Museum. For questions call Vanessa Thaxton-Ward, Curator of Collection, at 727-5508.

February 28, 2010 – November 27, 2010

Burrell MAy Day
Moton Birthday Party Queen Street
Click to view larger image

The City of Hampton’s 400th Anniversary

The City of Hampton: Through the Lens of Reuben V. Burrell and James Van Der Zee
Opening Reception and Birthday Celebration for Mr. Burrell – Sunday, February 28, 2010

Reuben V. Burrell has documented through photographs a half of a century of Hampton University events – both big and small. Not only is Mr. Burrell the Griot (historian) of the University but his lens goes beyond the campus into the surrounding community. Coming to Hampton as a student in 1938 Burrell finished his course requirements in 1940, after which, World War II was pending. He received a B.S. degree in Industrial Arts from Hampton in 1947, and then enrolled at New York University where he earned his M.A. degree in Industrial Arts Education in 1949. Hired at Hampton in December 1949, Mr. Burrell began his career as the school photographer. For more than sixty years, he has provided an invaluable service to the university documenting its history as well as reprinting historic photographs. He has also documented landmarks, businesses, social and civic activities in the city of Hampton. His photographs include well known individuals in the city as well.

James Van Der Zee is recognized as the dean of African American photographers based on his large body of photographs taken in Harlem, New York during more than half of the 19th century. In 1906 Van Der Zee left his hometown of Lenox, MA here he met and married Kate L. Brown, a seamstress from Newport News, Virginia. The couple’s first child, Rachel, was born in 1907 and shortly afterward they traveled to Virginia. The Van Der Zee’s decided to remain in Tidewater, VA where Van Der Zee found employment as a waiter at the Hotel Chamberlin. The photographs will share images of two categories: the everyday activities of Slabtown residents and the academic community at Whittier Preparatory School.

Partial funding for this exhibition provided by the City of Hampton, 400th Anniversary Celebration Fund.

Photographs, Reuben V. Burrell, Collection of Hampton University Museum

Call or email Vanessa Thaxton-Ward for more information at 757.727.5508 or email vanessa.thaxton-ward@hamptonu.edu.