1904 – The Jamestown Exposition Debuts “Negro Building”

On May 14, 1904, during the Jamestown Tercentennial Exposition in Norfolk, Virginia, African Americans were assigned a separate exhibit space—known as the “Negro Building”—to highlight Black progress since Emancipation. Though segregated and controversial, the building offered a rare opportunity for Black artists, educators, and entrepreneurs to present their achievements to the public. Spearheaded by prominent leaders like Booker T. Washington, the exhibition featured portraits, industrial tools, literary works, and photos documenting the progress of Black institutions and communities. While the very existence of a separate building mirrored the inequalities of the time, the exhibits defied prevailing stereotypes by showcasing Black excellence, innovation, and resilience. The event helped launch future Black expositions and served as a precursor to the Negro History movement. May 14 marks an important date in the ongoing effort to assert and document Black contributions within a system that often attempted to erase them.