Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum

Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum Celebrate Portsmouth’s rich Black History in a home that originally served as the City’s only library for segregated African Americans. Plan your visit today!

TINY BUILDING. BIG IMPACT. In 2007 the building moved to its present location at 904 Elm Street due to the perseverance of the Portsmouth African American Historical Society led by Mae Breckenridge Haywood. Through a partnership with the City of Portsmouth, the building was renovated and reopened as the Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum in 2013. Now the community can explore exhibits and

participate in programs that increase knowledge of African American history, foster literacy and promote the respect for diversity. Admission is by donation.

06/01/2026

Join us Wednesday, June 3 from 11:30am-1:30pm in the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center Courtyard for free live music.

🎤 Featured Artist: Elizabeth Riverboys

Enjoy an afternoon of live music and unique performances from this Virginia homegrown duo — bringing feel-good tunes to the heart of Olde Towne 🌞

BONUS: FREE box lunches from Jimmy John’s for the first 30 visitors!

FREE admission to:
🏛️ A Seat of Justice: The Courthouse That Shaped Portsmouth
⚙️ Steel Seas & Sky Machines: The Dieselpunk Art of Tony Snipes

Bring your lunch, bring your friends, and enjoy great music in the heart of Olde Towne 🎸 See you Wednesday!

05/29/2026

Final Color Craze of May! 🌸 This is your LAST CHANCE for Blooms, Bubbles & Brush! Join us May 30th from 11am – 2pm for Watercolor Flowers and Bubble Printing & Painting. After this Saturday, we're launching a new Color Craze theme in June!

Free and fun for all ages!

Visit our exhibits inside for just $3:
🏛️ A Seat of Justice: The Courthouse That Shaped Portsmouth
⚙️ Steel Seas & Sky Machines: The Dieselpunk Art of Tony Snipes

See you Saturday! 🎨

05/26/2026

Join us in the courtyard on Wednesday, May 27, from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM for another Sound Bites performance featuring local singer-songwriter Cindy Kays 🎤 With guitar and ukulele in hand, she brings an acoustic mix of folk, pop, and country. Perfect for a relaxing, feel-good lunch break.

Take a break, grab a bite, and enjoy the sweet sounds of summer!

BONUS: FREE box lunches from Jimmy John’s for the first 30 visitors!

Learn More: https://brnw.ch/21x2K4f

Don’t miss this must-see exhibit! From the origins of Black History Month to Juneteenth, The Emancipation Oak and the Um...
05/22/2026

Don’t miss this must-see exhibit! From the origins of Black History Month to Juneteenth, The Emancipation Oak and the Umoja Festival, discover how communities honor the past and build the future.

Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x2KfX

05/22/2026

Head to the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center courtyard on May 23rd from 11am-2pm for Color Craze: Blooms, Bubbles & Brush!

May's creative activities:
🫧 Bubble Printing & Painting
🌺 Watercolor Flowers

Perfect for all ages and completely free! Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x2K47

Explore our exhibits for FREE as a part of the Umoja Festival:
🏛️ A Seat of Justice: The Courthouse That Shaped Portsmouth
⚙️ Steel Seas & Sky Machines: The Dieselpunk Art of Tony Snipes

See you in the courtyard!

Celebrate Black History Now with FREE performances by Virginia Symphony Orchestra Fellows during the Umoja Festival! Exp...
05/21/2026

Celebrate Black History Now with FREE performances by Virginia Symphony Orchestra Fellows during the Umoja Festival! Experience the elegant sound of a wind quintet in the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center.

🎵 Two performances at 2:30 PM & 3:30 PM

Talented musicians:
Alyssa Estrella, clarinet (VSO Fellow)
Joanne Meyer White, flute
Alexander Mayer, oboe
Laura Leisring, bassoon
Stephen Slater, horn

Explore exhibits at the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center:
🏛️ A Seat of Justice: The Courthouse That Shaped Portsmouth
⚙️ Steel Seas & Sky Machines: The Dieselpunk Art of Tony Snipes

Welcome to the Portsmouth Museums family 💙 We're thrilled to introduce some incredible new team members:𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐆𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤, 𝐌𝐮𝐬...
05/20/2026

Welcome to the Portsmouth Museums family 💙 We're thrilled to introduce some incredible new team members:

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐆𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤, 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫 – Bringing her passion for customer service and background in Zoology and Wildlife Sciences to ensure every guest has an exceptional experience at the Children's Museum of Virginia

𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐆𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 – With 20 years in arts administration, Lauren is curating fun, vibrant merchandise and locally made art across our museum shops.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 – Connecting our museums with the community through engaging events and outreach programs.

𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐬𝐤𝐢, 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 – Leading exhibitions and programs at the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center with nearly a decade of museum and gallery expertise.

We're so lucky to have you all on board!

05/18/2026

Sound Bites concert series is back 🎶 Join us Wednesday, May 20 from 11:30am – 1:30pm in the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center Courtyard for free live music.

🎤 Featured Artist: Jade Loving
Kick back and enjoy a beachy blend of feel-good favorites ☀️ The perfect soundtrack for a sunny afternoon in Olde Towne.

BONUS: FREE box lunches from Jimmy John’s for the first 30 visitors!

Bring your lunch, bring your friends, and enjoy great music in the heart of Olde Towne 🎸 See you Wednesday!

Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x2zAL

05/14/2026

Join us May 16th from 11am - 2pm in the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center courtyard for Color Craze: Blooms, Bubbles & Brush! Learn painting techniques while creating art in the spring sunshine.

May's lineup:
🫧 Bubble Printing & Painting
🌺 Watercolor Flowers

Bring the whole family. It's free and fun for everyone! Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x2uYV

Don't miss our featured exhibits inside for just $3:
🏛️ A Seat of Justice: The Courthouse That Shaped Portsmouth
⚙️ Steel Seas & Sky Machines: The Dieselpunk Art of Tony Snipes
🎨 Portsmouth Senior Student Art Show | Ends May 17

05/13/2026

Big talent. Fresh perspectives. Local pride. The Portsmouth Senior Student Art Show showcases original work from graduating seniors across Portsmouth. 𝐎𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟕.

Come out, explore the exhibit, and show these young artists some love. Included with museum admission.

Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x2t0K

Address

904 Elm Avenue
Portsmouth, VA
23704

Opening Hours

Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+17573938591

Website

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