Much of the African American history in the Shenandoah Valley has perished. Historic churches, schools, business, and homes were erased due to the 1960s Urban Renewal efforts. Early communities lost their homes and financial stability due to unjust laws and economic despair that impacted African American communities. Many of the locations on this tour are not active, are now on private property, are no longer standing and/or the original structures that have undergone major renovations. Our tours reflect these losses.
The Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project proudly presents Roots Run Deep: African American History Tours of the Shenandoah Valley. The Roots Run Deep tours provided a free educational experience of documented historical African American sites in the valley. Each self-driving tour features sites such as schools, churches, neighborhoods, cemeteries, and businesses and much more. All tours are available on our website. Physical copies can be found at the SVBHP Heritage Center at 425 Hill St, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22802.
The Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project proudly presents Roots Run Deep: African American History Tours of the Shenandoah Valley. The Roots Run Deep tours provided a free educational experience of documented historical African American sites in the valley. Each self-driving tour features sites such as schools, churches, neighborhoods, cemeteries, and businesses and much more. All tours are available on our website. Physical copies can be found at the SVBHP Heritage Center at 425 Hill St, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22802.
The SVBHP are thankful for all participants for their interest and their time for exploring the African American history in the Shenandoah Valley and assisting on bring these buried stories the surface.
Before beginning, please keep in mind that many sites are no longer standing and/or are on private land. In all instances, we ask that all sites are respected and all state and local trespassing rules obeyed. Donations to active sites are encouraged.
We are half way there. We have funded and created Roots Run Deep tours for about half of the Shenandoah Valley. We are actively fundraising to finish the tours for the southern part of the Valley that include Highland, Bath, Rockbridge, Alleghany, Botetourt, Craige and Roanoke counties. Please support SVBHP’s mission by donating today.
Before beginning, please keep in mind that many sites are no longer standing and/or are on private land. In all instances, we ask that all sites are respected and all state and local trespassing rules obeyed. Donations to active sites are encouraged.
We are half way there. We have funded and created Roots Run Deep tours for about half of the Shenandoah Valley. We are actively fundraising to finish the tours for the southern part of the Valley that include Highland, Bath, Rockbridge, Alleghany, Botetourt, Craige and Roanoke counties. Please support SVBHP’s mission by donating today.
There 8 tours available to explore:
1. Clarke/Warren Counties Tour 2. Frederick County 3. Shenandoah/Page Counties Tour 4. Town of Luray 5. Rockingham County Tour 6. City of Harrisonburg 7. Zenda Countryside Tour 8. Staunton/Augusta County Tour |
These tours are possible through the generous financial support of the following: National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Telling the Full History Preservation Fund, with support from National Endowment for the Humanities. (Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the National Trust or the National Endowment for the Humanities.) Virginia Humanities SHARP grant, The Jerome L. Greene Foundation, in memory of Sister Judith Brown, as recommended by Karen Brooks Hopkins, Crescent Cities Charities, and Special thanks to the Friends of the SVBHP for their monthly donations.