Photo Courtesy of the Alexandria LibraryDid you know that the spark of one of the very first sit-ins in the nation was ignited here at the Alexandria Library? And it was not in the 1960s.
On a summer day in 1939, the present-day Barrett Branch Library on Queen Street stood as the sole library in a city of 33,000–but its doors were closed to African Americans. That’s when Samuel W. Tucker, a young man of remarkable courage and vision, stepped forward. At just 26 years old, Tucker orchestrated a historic act of civil disobedience.
On August 21, five brave young black men, one by one, walked into the library, requested a library card, and when denied, calmly took a seat and opened a book. Their peaceful protest didn’t go unnoticed–library staff called the police, leading to their arrest. But even though they were swiftly released, the impact of their actions reverberated far beyond the library’s walls.
After a period of intense negotiations, and during a period when Tucker was ill, the city and community leaders made a concession: they agreed to open a “separate but equal” library in 1940, known as the Robert H. Robinson Library. (Alexandria libraries were not integrated until 1959 for black adults and 1962 for black children, when the Robinson Library was then closed.)
Tucker was livid about the separate library and spent his life fighting against segregation and intolerance. He served as the lead lawyer for the Virginia National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court four times. Our local elementary school was named in his honor in 2000.
This year, the Alexandria Library is commemorating the 85th anniversary of the 1939 sit-in with a year-long celebration honoring its “Legacy of Courage.” The Library recognizes the need to honor this story despite having been on the wrong side of the argument at the time.
From special programs to events and exhibits, the Library–including our local branch just across the street from Cameron Station–is taking a deep dive into themes of racial justice and equality, shedding light on the individuals who shaped this movement and the enduring impact of their bravery. This includes a film series running through August.
Join your neighbors in honoring the legacy of courage that lives within the walls of our library and beyond. To learn more about this historic event and library offerings, click here or visit alexlibraryva.org/1939-sit-in.
Kay Brown is Board President of the Friends of the Beatley Central Library. She has lived in Cameron Station since spring 2017 and has already moved once since then, but stayed within the community. She also tutors at Tucker Elementary School and, after 30+ years at the Government Accountability Office, believes in giving back locally.
The Friends of the Beatley Central Library is a nonprofit all-volunteer organization that advocates for and raises funds to advance the mission of the Beatley Central Library. To learn more, click here or visit beatleyfriends.org.
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