A Visit to the Downing Gross Cultural Art Center

Sun and fun to everyone!

We visited another amazing site in Newport News, Va. The Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center. This center was named in honor of Norvleate Downing-Gross, a major activist, who fought the war on poverty in her community.

The Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center

Named after this beautiful woman right here!

 

We saw many exhibits in the cultural center. But the thing that stood out the most was the Ella Fitzgerald Theater and the information about her. I just learned that she was born in Newport News, Va.  I have always admired her and her work as a singer and performer. Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE all types of music!

The closest I'll get to her...

 

We also learned about another native, A. Johnson. Now he was a trip. He loved to paint and he painted everything. I mean everything! He painted chairs, flower pots, buildings, you name it, he painted on it!

He even painted the outside of his home. He became a prominent figure in the community because of his love for art and serving the people through his gift.

It's unreal how much he painted and what he painted on, EVERYTHING!

 

I can only scratch the surface in this blog. There was so much to see and learn in this arts center. This would be a fun and informative field trip to take students to as well as a family visit.


Making new friends is priceless. What in the world are they looking at?  

 

Here the children sum up the day. They draw in their sketch pads to tell what they enjoyed the most or remember the most about their adventure.  See how interested they look? Sheesh

School is in session! "Roadschool" that is.

The Downing Gross Cultural Art Center was a hit!

Please visit the site for more information: www.downinggross.org

Our plans, His hands.

The James A. Fields House

Have you ever had an experience that literally changed your life? Well, visiting this house was one of those that did. I had no idea of the magnitude of information this trip held for us!

 

 

This is the James A. Fields house.

 

 

First off, I am eternally grateful to my new best friend, Historian, and hospitality queen, the beautiful Councilwoman Dr. Saundra N. Cherry. My husband and I were blown away with the tour. It was beyond fascinating, it was life changing. I only wished it all could have been recorded in order to share all that I learned.

James A. Fields was enslaved, along with the rest of his family. He and his brother escaped during the Civil War. Later he went on to graduate from college and eventually, Howard University Law School, in Washington, DC.

After becoming an attorney, he went on to serve his community and eventually practiced law from his home. Later, this same home was turned into the first hospital to serve black people in the community.

His legacy of fortitude and love still remains standing today, because of the efforts to restore his home by the late Gregory Cherry, a well loved and respected historian in Newport News, Va. His lovely wife (Councilwoman Dr. Saundra N. Cherry) continues his work today.  

  

Me and the lovely Councilwoman Dr. Saundra N. Cherry.

 

A suit made by William Ward Pinkett, Sr. More on his legacy later.

 

I’ll share pictures here, but, understand the pictures simply can’t do the tour justice.

Can you guess what this is? Hint: It kept food cold.

The Whittaker Memorial Hospital was the first one to serve blacks in the community.

Cha ching!

I remember seeing my grandfather type on something similar to this

It is such a powerful thing to be able to educate our children in a way that honors our heritage. If you ever want to see and hear a powerful legacy, take a trip to Newport News, VA and visit the James A. Fields House.

Check out the website here: www.jamesafieldhouse.blogspot.com

Our plans, His hands.