Decca Knight is fundraising
Save Roanoke’s Black History
Save Roanoke’s Black History—Restore, Protect, and Honor Our Legacy
In the heart of Roanoke, a flood threatened something far greater than just a building—it threatened the very stories, artifacts, and voices that tell the rich and powerful history of our community.
For over 50 hours, nearly 300 gallons of water per hour poured into The Annex on Rutherford Avenue, our dedicated storage space housing centuries of Black history—documents, photographs, artifacts, and irreplaceable records that embody the spirit, resilience, and contributions of African Americans in Roanoke and beyond.
Thanks to a heroic community effort, volunteers, historians, and students rallied to save as much as possible. Christopher Sanchez and his team at the Christiansburg Institute, Megan Mizak and the Gainsboro Library, Historian Brittney Flowers, Jordan Bell, Apple Ridge Farm, and students from St. Joseph’s University worked tirelessly, pulling waterlogged materials to safety, carefully drying delicate documents, and rescuing treasures that tell the story of our people. But this is just the beginning.
This is Our History—And It’s Our Responsibility to Save It
These aren’t just old papers or objects. They are:
- Handwritten letters and business records from Roanoke’s once-thriving Black business district, Henry Street.
- Photographs of everyday heroes—educators, activists, families—who built this city from the ground up.
- Newspapers and oral histories chronicling Black resilience, from Reconstruction to Civil Rights to today.
- Cultural artifacts that connect past and present, grounding us in who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going.
If we do not act now, we risk losing irreplaceable pieces of our heritage forever.
Your Support Can Help Us Restore and Protect This Legacy
The next phase of recovery requires professional expertise and long-term protection to ensure our history is never again vulnerable to disaster. Funds raised will directly support:
✅ Mold Remediation & Water Damage Repair – Safeguarding artifacts and documents before further deterioration.
✅ Specialized Restoration & Conservation – Partnering with experts to salvage fragile, water-damaged materials.
✅ Upgraded Storage & Protection – Implementing climate-controlled, disaster-resistant storage solutions to prevent future losses.
✅ Space Repairs & Renovations – Transforming our facility into a state-of-the-art archive, ensuring history is safe for generations.
This is Bigger Than Restoration—This Is About the Future
This work is not just about the past—it is about how we move forward. The Harrison Museum of African American Culture is entering a new chapter. With our upcoming relocation to Melrose Plaza, we are positioning the museum as a dynamic cultural anchor for our community.
As we execute the next phases of our plan, we envision:
- A digital research and archive center where students, scholars, and families can access and engage with these priceless materials.
- Interactive exhibitions and digital storytelling that bring Roanoke’s Black history to life for new generations.
- A space where our community can gather, learn, and celebrate our shared heritage, ensuring that these stories are not just preserved but amplified and honored.
Your donation today doesn’t just repair the past—it builds the future.
This Is Your History, Too—Be a Part of Saving It
We invite you to stand with us in this critical moment. Every donation, no matter the size, is an investment in our shared legacy. Here’s how you can help:
Donate – Every dollar makes a tangible impact in saving our history.
Share – Amplify our call to action. Let others know that this history matters.
Partner with Us – If you have expertise, resources, or connections that can support this effort, we welcome you to join us.
Together, we are the caretakers of Roanoke’s Black history. We have an opportunity—not just to restore what was damaged—but to ensure that our past is never forgotten, always honored, and forever accessible to those who come after us.
Act now—help us save this history.
➡️ Donate Today and Protect Our Legacy ⬅️
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