Saturday, May 23rd
The African American Heritage Tour of Portsmouth
THE HERITAGE TOUR
Saturday, May 23rd
Details:
History Alive will feature historical figure Jeffrey Wilson, who will be present on the bus throughout the entire journey. He will be available to chat at the Tourism Tent 30 minutes before departure and 30 minutes after the tour.
PACC - At this stop, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (VSO) Fellowship will perform at 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM. The “Steel Seas & Sky Machines: The Dieselpunk Art of Tony Snipes” exhibit will be open for viewing throughout the visit. Step into artist Tony Snipes’ world of alternate histories and reimagined machines in this immersive exhibition featuring dieselpunk sketches, intricate 3-D models, and digital works.
PCCLM - During this stop, this year’s Black History Now exhibit, “Celebrating 100 Years of Black History Month”, will be open. Explore the essential role of African American history in shaping Portsmouth, the region, and the nation. Guests can also enjoy history panels and view select exhibit items from previous Umoja Festivals.
Transportation
Ride in comfort on a 55-passenger bus running continuous loops throughout the afternoon.
Transportation and exhibit entry is free and open to the public!
Where to Catch the Bus
Visit the museum staff table near City Hall in Festival Park for directions and information. Staff will be available to help you get oriented and ready for the journey.
Tour Schedule
- First Departure: 1:30 PM from Festival Park
- Route: Festival Park → Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center (PACC) → Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum (PCCLM) → Festival Park
- Loop Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
- Last Departures:
- PACC: 4:10 PM
- PCCLM: 4:20 PM
- Final return to Festival Park by 4:30 PM
Celebrating 100 Years of Black History Month Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum (PCCLM)
This special exhibit highlights how African American history has been remembered, commemorated and shared through the years - and why preserving that history is so important. Join us as we explore the origins of Black History Month, along with a broader look at how communities honor the past through meaningful sites, traditions and cultural events.
Steel Seas & Sky Machines: The Dieselpunk Art of Tony Snipes Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center (PACC)
This powerful new exhibition invites you to reconsider history as a space for possibility, redefining what progress can look like, as new minds push the boundaries of electricity, magnetism and gravity. It’s history and science, reimagined. Don’t miss it!
Live Musical Performances at PACC Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center (PACC)
Don’t miss two special performances by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (VSO) at 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM!