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With the end of the 2023 year, we wanted to take the time to tell everyone we appreciate their support this year. This has been our first year since the COVID-19 pandemic began that we have seen our visitation numbers onsite at the levels they are currently at. We have had successful public programs like Moton LIVE and Juneteenth. Our visitation from public schools, independent schools, and homeschool groups have increased as we reach areas all over the commonwealth, country, and internationally. We owe all of this to your support so again we say how much we appreciate you. We have some great events still happening this year and we certainly have a huge 2024 to look forward to. 

On Monday, Dec. 11, we had our annual Moton Holiday Social. Not just a social event, but a celebration of our shared journey towards equality in education. Everyone mingled and took part in a festive night that continued to honor our past and inspired the future. Our social, sponsored by our Moton Council and Board of Trustees, is our way of saying how much we appreciate our members, supporters, and friends. 

On Saturday, Dec. 16, from noon until 2:30 p.m. we will have our third annual Hanging with Santa event, cosponsored with the Farmville Jaycees. We will offer free pictures with Santa, activity bags for the youth, and a fun experience for all our visitors. We are thrilled to be holding this event again and all are welcome to attend. 

Our first event back in 2024 will take place on Jan. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. That will be the third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Free Family Workshop. This event is cosponsored with the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, Longwood University Office of Multicultural Affairs, and The Virginia Children’s Book Festival. This event features art activities, tours, reading stations, and other activities associated with the legacy of Dr. King. This event is free and open to the public. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Looking ahead to 2024 we have some tremendous events to commemorate. Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education. We are in plans for some significant commemorative programming associated with the anniversary. Additionally, it is the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 60th anniversary of the Griffin v. Prince Edward County Supreme Court case, and the 65th anniversary of the Prince Edward County School Closures. There are others, but we have a momentous year coming up. It is also probable that the statue of Barbara Rose Johns Powell will be erected at Statuary Hall in Washington D.C. All of this to say we have a lot of big things happening next year, and a lot to be grateful for. 

Stay tuned on all the goings on at Moton by following us on social media or on our website motonmuseum.org. 

CAINAN TOWNSEND is the executive director of the Moton Museum. He can be reached at c.townsend@motonmuseum.org.