NewsThe “Racial Brain” Collector and the Dark History of Eugenics
Virginia became a leader in the promotion and practice of eugenic sterilization in the first half of the twentieth century, as detailed in our new Encyclopedia Virginia entry on Eugenic Sterilization in Virginia.
NewsThe Many Indias
As India celebrates 76 years of independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has drawn criticism for promoting a kind of hindu nationalism rooted in the colonial period.
NewsSouthwest Virginia’s Youngest Residents Celebrate their Roots
Through a Program Started by Author Adriana Trigiani | The Origin Project is an in-school writing program for thousands of students in grades 2 through 12 across Virginia, formed by author Adriana Trigiani (Big Stone Gap).
NewsTerrapins and Terriers
In the early 20th century, terrapins–a kind of turtle–were a culinary delicacy. Then humans nearly hunted them to extinction. Plus, Robert Arrowood’s psychology of learning class put theory to practice by training shelter dogs.
NewsA Tribute to Virginia Folk Hero “Uncle Wade” Ward
Beloved clawhammer banjoist “Uncle Wade” was born on Saddle Creek, just outside of Independence, Virginia, on October 15, 1892 and lived in Grayson County all his life.
NewsThe Myth of “Living Off the Land” at Jamestown
While it’s tempting to think of Jamestown as a proto-Artemis full of intrepid settlers, that was far from the reality, as our entry on the Early Jamestown Settlement makes clear.
NewsMeet Virginia Folklife’s 2023 Summer Interns
The Institute for Public History offers meaningful, hands-on, and paid internships for students and recent graduates of the University of Virginia. The Virginia Folklife Program is lucky to host three students this summer: Anderson Moss, Kaity Wasinger, and Kate Wietor.
NewsREPLAY Reading and Writing Ourselves
In early August of 2017, America watched Charlottesville in horror.
NewsGreat Reads 2023
The Virginia Center for the Book is one of 56 Centers for the Book across the country affiliated with the Library of Congress. Each year the local center for the book or …
NewsUnderground and Taboo
In the 1990s, a group of single Black mothers known as The Circle formed an underground gambling ring in Danville, Virginia.
NewsCelebration of Virginia Folklife at the Library of Virginia Recap
Last weekend, we presented a two-day “Celebration of Virginia Folklife” on July 7 and 8, 2023 at the Library of Virginia in Richmond, as part of the Library’s year-long 200th anniversary celebration.
