2023-2026 Monuments

Pulaski, VA - Motivated by the 23 parents who stood up for 54 children’s educational opportunities via the US legal system, a quilt informed by an oral history project honors Black Southwest Virginia caretakers who act bravely in the face of racism and segregation.

Norton, VA - A storywalk trail of interpretive signs, a sculpture, and an online exhibit celebrate the relationships that a diversity of Appalachian peoples have long held with the medicinal herbs and wild foods of the forest understory.

Alleghany, VA - An interpretive trail, improvements to the historic picnic shelter, and a children’s book tell the story of Green Pastures Recreation Area, a refuge for African Americans during segregation that was built in 1940 thanks to the local NAACP’s campaign for equitable access to outdoor recreation.

Pound, VA - The installation of a stage and decorative wall, plus a storytelling performance, uplift diverse labor histories.

Luray, VA - Inspired by stories of immigration and belonging, a music festival and music album chronicle and celebrate the Latine Appalachian “Appalachiano” community.

Rocky Mount, VA - Dedicated to African American soldiers who served in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War, a statue, public education forum, and a documentary explore what life was like in Franklin County, 1850-1910.

Bluefield, WV - Community gatherings and a mural on a former Green Book hotel tell the story of Bluefield, West Virginia's African American Northside East-End neighborhood as it looks to the future.

Eastern Siouan Lands - A sculpture inspired by Indigenous lifeways and a series of place-based language learning gatherings that honor Indigenous knowledge and celebrate the reawakening of Yesá:sahį, an Eastern Siouan (Monacan/Tutelo/Saponi) language.

Monacan Indian Nation - A modern-day long house (Ati:ti:Asell) provides a permanent home for the Monacan pow wow and celebrates Eastern Siouan language, history, and culture with elements of traditional art and design.