Petersburg Preservation Task Force

Our Mission:

The Petersburg Preservation Task Force (PPTF) is the primary organization that educated the public about the unique history of Petersburg, Virginia, by preserving, managing, interpreting and presenting the City's rich and unique historic resources.

PPTF promotes visitation to Petersburg through collaboration with state and regional tourism efforts, historical organizations, and businesses.  It is focused on an inclusive diverse and holistic interpretation of the City's story.

PROGRAMS OR SERVICES PROVIDED BY PPTF:

Specific activities include:

*Museum operates and related site operations including tours and interpretive programs

*Preservation/restoration of historic structures

*Convening working groups to address emergency preservation issues.

*Preservation and cataloguing of artifacts (currently estimated to be more than 60,00 artifacts) held by the City

*Marketing and communications initiatives that promote Petersburg in ways designed to increase   visitation and educational outreach

It is crucial for 1) citizens to sense a connection to the city's past and 2) the world-at-large to appreciate the multiple layers of Petersburg's historic fabric.  Over 20,000 individual - a mix of in-town and out-of-town visitors have been served since the PPTF took over the museums.  These include visitors of all ages, economic and ethnic backgrounds from all 50 states and two dozen countries. However-this effort is primarily directed at the citizenry and school age children of Petersburg and the surrounding region.

Historic preservation and educational efforts enhance aesthetic and quality of life benefits.  This facilitates citizens' understanding their heritage and subsequent preservation efforts improve the 'curb appeal' of the City to residents, businesses and tourist.  Ultimately, these efforts strengthen civi pride, the local economy and augment the tax base.

Dr. King's 7 visits to Petersburg between October 1956 and June 1967 - as well as his personal interaction with local citizens, leaders and activists in Petersburg - lifted up the city and provided a crucial sounding board for Dr King's ideas. With an outreach emphasis on the African America community, explore those experiences of 50-60 years ago to rekindle a new civic pride and spirit using Dr. King's template of reconciliation and political equality.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION 

In the years 1956-1965 Martin Luther King traveled to Petersburg more frequently than any other city in Virginia.  

This was due to the presences of several key civil rights leaders such as:

•             Rev. Wyatt Walker

•             Herbert Colton

•             Dorothy Cotton  

•             Vernon Johns

Additionally he was intrigued by, and involved in, the mission and successes of several organizations, including the Petersburg Improvement Association, Petersburg NAACP,  Downtown Churches United and the Virginia Voters League.

To commemorate his engagement with the City, it is proposed that six components of an educational effort be implemented:

1)            The erection of 6 commemorative Civil Rights Trail Markers be erected at the following sites:

a.            First Baptist Harrison Street

b.            Gillfield Baptist Church

c.             Mt Zion Baptist

d.            Mt. Olivet Baptist

e.            Virginia State University

f.             House – 514 Harrison Street  

2)            Development of a trifold brochure offering self-guided walking tours.  

3)            Occasional guided tours and open houses to connect the sites. On special occasions, additional activities could be included at Churches on the tour - such as Children’s activities, Choir performances, Brief interpretations of Church Histories, and their affiliation with Dr. King.

4)            Development of Curriculum and Educational materials to assist Petersburg teachers in how to present the Civil Rights era and how it fits into the context of 400 years of Petersburg history.

5)            A half day symposium to review the history of Martin Luther King in Petersburg and what the city has done to live up to his legacy.  Individuals who were present at any of the seven visits of Dr King would be invited to offer oral histories.  

6)             Follow up interview with 20 civic leaders would be conducted to measure the impact of the events and to form the basis of a study of attitudes about racial relations specific to Petersburg