Reclaiming Our History: The African American Story in Washington County, Virginia


Selected Individuals of Note

Frankie Newton

Frankie Newton

William Frank Newton (Born January 4, 1906, Died March 11, 1954) was a jazz musician and artist from Emory, Virginia. He accompanied Bessie Smith on her final recordings in November 24, 1933, Maxine Sullivan on Loch Lomond, and Billie Holiday on her original Strange Fruit session in 1939.

Dr. Bascom Waugh

Dr. Bascom Waugh

Dr. Bascom Slemp Waugh (Born December 9, 1908, Died September 18, 1992) was born in Glade Spring, Virginia. He was a Physician and Flight Surgeon for the famed 332nd Fighter Group, the Tuskegee Airmen.

Landon Boyd

Landon Boyd

Landon Boyd (Born September 15, 1838, Died November 10, 1899) was born into slavery. He was a brick mason in Abingdon, Virginia who served in the U.S. Army during the Civil War. In May 1867, he served on the petit jury which was to have tried former Confederate President Jefferson Davis for treason. He served on the Richmond City Council from 1872 to 1873.

Frank Trigg, Jr.

Frank Trigg, Jr.

Frank Trigg Jr. (Born 1851, Died April 21, 1933) was born into slavery in Richmond, Virginia, where his parents were the personal servants of Governor John B. Floyd. He lost an arm in a farming accident when he was young and his interests turned to education. During his academic career, he was President of colleges in Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.

Dr. Harold Trigg

Dr. Harold Trigg

Dr. Harold Leonard Trigg (Born December 15, 1893, Died August 29, 1978) was the son of Frank Trigg, Jr. He was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, and followed in his father's footsteps becoming an esteemed educator and academic leader. Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Trigg was appointed by North Carolina Governor Kerr Scott as the first African American member of the State Board of Education. He was also appointed as first African American president of St. Augustine’s College.

Research Resources

Videos From The 2021 Reclaiming Our History Conference

Welcome - Jimmy Anderson
Welcome - Jimmy Anderson
Prominent and Formerly Enslaved African Americans from Washington County
Prominent and Formerly Enslaved African Americans from Washington County
The WashCoVA Family Tree on Ancestry
The WashCoVA Family Tree on Ancestry
Beginning your Genealogy Journey Kenyatta D Berry
Beginning your Genealogy Journey Kenyatta D Berry
Conversation with Kenyatta
Conversation with Kenyatta
History of Washington County
History of Washington County
Ethan West My Experience
Ethan West My Experience
Story Telling I
Story Telling I
Story Telling II Frank Newton
Story Telling II Frank Newton
Story Telling III John Broddy
Story Telling III John Broddy
Conclusion
Conclusion
Closing Credits
Closing Credits