About the Project

History of the building

Over the years many individuals have done their part to care for and preserve the Alexander Black House. Of course there’s Alexander himself, the families who owned and operated commercial establishments in the house for more than 50 years, the local developer who sold the house to the Town to make way for another downtown destination called Kent Square, and now the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation which is committed to returning the Black House to its original splendor.

In December 2002 the Town of Blacksburg moved the house to its new permanent location overlooking Draper Road. Following the move, a full basement foundation and underground utilities were installed. Careful consideration and study have been given to ensuring the historic restoration of the Black House is both economical and suited for a variety of uses.

The Blacksburg Museum program has grown in anticipation of its newly planned space in the Alexander Black House. St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall, a museum of African American Culture opened in April 2010, launching the first physical museum presence for the Town. Traveling exhibits, speaking engagements, a joint historic lecture series with Smithfield Plantation, popular Movies on the Lawn Series, and involvement in the Old Time Market Square Jam have also been tremendously successful. A burgeoning arts district surrounding the Virginia Tech Center for the Arts and other private endeavors is gaining momentum in downtown Blacksburg, and the Alexander Black House is positioned to be a contributing part of this new movement.