The Valentine to Recognize Richmond History Makers Past and Present
The Valentine to Recognize Richmond History Makers Past and Present
the 19th annual event takes places during the museum’s 125 anniversary celebration
RICHMOND, VA – The Valentine will host the 19th Annual Richmond History Makers Awards on Thursday, April 11 to recognize individuals, organizations and objects that have had a lasting impact on the Richmond Region, both past and present. For the first time since 2016, the event will once again take place on-site, under a tent the length of the museum’s block on Clay Street.
Taking place amidst a week-long celebration of the museum’s 125 anniversary, the Richmond History Makers event will honor community leaders, advocates, changemakers, organizations, and others, but with a twist.
“We’re doing things a little differently this year,” said Valentine Director Bill Martin. “As we celebrate 125 years of the Valentine, we encouraged the community to think differently and take a more expansive view of who could be a Richmond History Maker; to not just consider those working in the Richmond Region today, but to think about trailblazers who were active when this museum itself was in its infancy. What about objects and movements? Some of the most impactful moments from our history have been ideas and items that have evoked strong responses and inspired people and organizations to seek change. In short, to make history.”
This fresh approach resulted in multiple honorees in five new categories. Honorees this year include:
The James River
Richmond Tobacco Row Factories
Legend Brewing Company
Wilfred Cutshaw
The James River Association
Arts & Public Memory
Monument Avenue Monuments & “Rumors of War” by Kehinde Wiley
Elisabeth Scott Bocock & the Historic Richmond Foundation
Bev Appleton
Hammond Organ Studios of Richmond
Noah Oddo
Family & Community Philanthropy
Edwin Claiborne Robins, Sr.
Richard S. Reynolds, Sr.
Jim and Bobby Ukrop
Sydney and Frances Lewis
Education
Barbara Grey
Dr. Carmen Foster
Camp Alkulana
Albert V. Norrell
Adolph Brown IV
Civil Rights and Advocacy
Breanna Diaz & Narissa Rahaman
Clarence, Earl, & Chester Hunter
Cornelius Mimms
Elizabeth Johnson Rice & The Richmond 34
Adele Clark
“This institution has always had a tendency toward pushing boundaries,” Martin continued. “Asking hard questions, spurring uncomfortable conversations, and encouraging our visitors to look at their city with new eyes.”
Tickets to the 19th Annual Richmond History Makers Awards can be purchased here up until the day of the event.