Virginia Special Advertising Section
African-Americans. Once known as
the "Apollo of the South," the Attucks
Theatre, now a state and national
landmark, has been restored to its
original glory as a performance arts
theatre. Be sure to catch one of the
many concerts and performances that
take place here throughout the year.
Norfolk's First Baptist Church was
established in 1800 as an interracial
congregation including Whites, free
Blacks and slaves. Now it stands as a
registered national landmark and
includes a small museum of artifacts.
Norfolk State University is a
Historically Black University founded
in 1935 as the Norfolk branch of
Virginia Union University. In 1956, an
Act of the Virginia Legislature enabled
the Institution to offer Bachelor
degrees. It became an independent col-
lege in 1969. By 1979, it evolved into a
university and it now includes undergraduate and graduate schools in many disciplines. The African American Civil
War Memorial in Norfolk is one of the South's few memorials to Black Civil War veterans or any Union Civil War
Veterans. In 1906, the statue's granite base was dedicated to Black soldiers and sailors from all wars. By 1920 suffi-
cient private funds were raised to commission a statue to complete the monument. The statuesque figure of an
African-American Union soldier, represents Norfolk native Sgt. William H. Carney, a member of the 54th
Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment. Carney was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism in the
Black Meetings & Tourism February/March 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com
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Kids enjoying Norfolk Zoological Park
Photo Credit: Norfolk CVB
