Virginia Day at Negro Historical Exposition

Richmond Times Dispatch July 16, 1915

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About the electronic version:
Virginia Day at Negro Historical Exposition
Author: Richmond Times Dispatch July 16, 1915
Creation of machine-readable version: Special Collections, University of Virginia Library
Creation of machine-readable version: Special Collections, University of Virginia Library
Conversion to TEI.2-conformant markup: Margo C. Swire, University of VIrginia Library
URL: http://www.lib.virginia.edu/speccol/jdavis
Note: Illustrations have been included from the original source.

About the original source:
Virginia Day at Negro Historical Exposition
in Richmond Times Dispatch article July 16, 1915
Author:
, July 16, 1915
Creation date: July 16, 1915

Revisions to the electronic version:
August 7, 2000 -- Margo C. Swire, University of Virginia Library
  • Added TEI Header


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    VIRGINIA DAY AT NEGRO HISTORICAL EXPOSITION
    Increased Attendance Shows Growing Interest in Progress of Negro Race.
    PAGENT IS MOST REALISTIC

    Traces History of Race From Landing of First Slaves-Shows Cotton Plantation in Full Swing-Exposition Continues All Next Week.

    The National Negro Exposition, Staged at the State Fair Grounds under the auspices of the Negro Historical and Industrial Association, is becoming more and more popular as the days go by, was clearly evidenced yesterday in the immense throng number, perhaps, 8,000 people, that went out to see the exhibits. Three excursion trains from as many points in North Carolina, and two from Virginia brought hundreds of visitors from a distance, while many Richmond people, who had not yet seen the wonderful display of progress made by the negro during his fifty years of freedom, braved the intense heat of the day to see Giles B. Jackson's big show.

    It was Virginia Day at the exposition, and the exercises were replete with many interesting features. Standing out prominently from all the rest, however, was the pantomimic pageant staged last night, called "The Answer to The Birth of a Nation," said to be the greatest moving picture show ever produced by the negro race.

    PAGENT TRACES PROGRESS OF RACE

    The production was under the direction of M. Loretta Harris, and 250 colored school children of the city participated in it. Opening with the landing of the skiff bringing the first slaves to the country, then moving on to the period when the plantation life of the South was at it's height, showing a real cotton plantation, made thoroughly realistic with the old negro songs; then giving a glimpse of the negro life of to-day, and ending with the negro entering the door of opportunity, it was really a wonderful pageant, and gave a very adequate ideal of the great strides the negro has taken toward higher civilization in the last half century.

    Two more excursions will come in to-day and it is expected that the attendance will reach, even surpass, that of yesterday. The baby show, which has been in progress for the last three days, will close today with the decision of the judges and the awarding of the prizes. Only the physical development of the children will be taken into consideration, and two prizes will go to each of the three classes.

    The exposition closes its first week under bright auspices. Small at first, the attendance has increased day by day, until it has reached something like to proportions dreamed by Giles Jackson and those who have materially assisted in making it a pronounced success. The best people of Richmond have been given their hearty support, and it is attracting the attention of the whole country.

    The exposition will continue throughout next week.