As part of a city-wide commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of the end of massive resistance, this exhibition highlights the historic period by chronologically displaying photographs, and documents, and clippings showing the people and places that forever changed of Norfolk’s schools.

50 Years Later: The Lessons of Massive Resistance tells the often heroic story of the reopening Norfolk public schools after Virginia Governor Lindsay Almond closed six all-white schools in Norfolk rather than agree to court-ordered desegregation.

For nearly five months, almost 10,000 students were denied educational opportunities until February 2, 1959 when the famous “Norfolk 17” entered those six formerly all-white schools, finally adhering to Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas decision.