Alexandria to Commemorate 75th Anniversary of 1939 Library Sit-In

In honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Alexandria Library Sit-In, the Alexandria Library plans to commemorate this little known historic civil rights event Thursday at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch, where the sit-in originally took place.

On Aug. 21, 1939, five African American men individually entered the segregated building and requested library cards. When denied, each man calmly took a book off of a shelf to read. After two hours, library authorities had the men arrested for their act of “civil disobedience”.

“Due to the bravery of these men, 75 years later our library is a community hub that supports all individuals by providing equal access to books, technology, culture, and so much more,” says Director of Libraries, Rose T. Dawson, in a news release. Dawson also happens to be Alexandria’s first African American Library Director.

The Alexandria Library was founded first as a subscription library in 1794 and became Alexandria’s public library in 1937. Two years later, Attorney Samuel Tucker organized and defended sit-in protesters, William (Buddy) Evans, Otto L. Tucker, Edward Gaddis, Morris Murray, and Clarence Strange. Though the men were charged with disorderly conduct, the city delayed the case and no ruling was ever issued.

The public is invited to join Alexandria Library in recognizing this significant local event. The program will feature keynote speakers Frank Smith, Ph.D., Director, African American Civil War Museum and Patricia Timmons-Goodson, North Carolina Supreme Court Justice (Ret.) and who is a newly appointed Commissioner, United States Commission on Civil Rights.

Visitors can also enjoy music, children’s activities, food and refreshments, gift bags, and more on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St., in Alexandria.

Alexandria Library also welcomes the public to share their experiences during the event @AlexLibraryVA and #LibrarySitIn.

SCHEDULE on Thursday:

9:30 a.m.

Men of Victory
Shiloh Baptist Church
(Main Stage)

10 a.m.

75th Anniversary Program Begins
Mayor William D. Euille
The Honorable Rob Krupika
Lift Every Voice & Sing Instrumental
Keynote Speakers: Frank Smith, Ph.D., Director, African American Civil War Museum and Patricia Timmons-Goodson, North Carolina Supreme Court Justice (Ret.) and newly appointed Commissioner, United States Commission on Civil Rights.
(Main Stage)

**Food and Refreshments Available**

11:15 a.m.

Oasis Island Sounds
Peter Humphrey
(Lloyd House Courtyard)

Kwame Ansah-Brew
West African Stories, Games, & Music
(Barrett Branch, Children’s Area)

12 Noon

Doc Night and the Hipnotix
(Main Stage)

PHOTO: Five black men who staged an anti-segregation sit-in at the then-Alexandria Library are led out by police on Aug. 21, 1939. Photo by Florence Murray, Alexandria Black History Museum; photo courtesy of City of Alexandria