History:

The Newsome House Museum & Cultural Center is the restored 1899 residence of the African-American attorney J. Thomas Newsome (1869-1942) and his wife Mary Winfield Newsome. They moved into the house on 2803 Oak Avenue in 1906 after the birth of their only child and daughter Maurice Ethelred. The Newsome's began making changes to the house, making the salt box structure into an elegant Queen Anne residence which served as a hub for the local black community. The Newsome House now remains one of the timeless historic fixtures in the city, and it has become a venue for meetings, exhibitions, special events and other social functions. The Newsome House is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. It was the first structure owned by an African-American to be a recipient of a National Historic Preservation Award.

About Us:

At the turn of the 20th century, the J. Thomas Newsome family moved to Newport News. In this industrial city, he established a law practice and prospered as part of the postwar South's new urban, black middle class. Through self-determination and a solid education, Newsome (1869-1942) became a respected attorney, journalist, churchman, and civic leader. His elegant Queen Anne residence served as the hub of the local black community from which he led the fight for social justice within the commonwealth. Today, this restored 1899 Victorian landmark continues to be devoted to the expression of black cultural and historical themes. The public is invited to use this facility to learn of the past, examine current issues, and celebrate life's milestones.