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Area genealogy center finds home
Local genealogy center finds a home
Date published: 2/23/2006 By PORTSIA SMITH By PORTSIA SMITH From the outside, there's nothing to indicate that 3538 Plank Road is anything but office space. But step inside, and a visitor takes a journey into the past. Pictures of slaves and their descendents hang on one side of a hallway. On the other are replicas of slave shackles and military awards, one representing the pain and the other the bravery of the people in the photographs. This location, next to Blinds To Go on State Route 3, is the new home of the Center for African American Genealogical Research Inc., a Fredericksburg-based nonprofit organization that provides genealogical data to the community at no cost. CAAGRI aims to provide a location for researchers to conduct in-depth black genealogical research, get computer training and participate in mentoring programs for at-risk youth. CAAGRI president and CEO Paula D. Royster had been operating for months without a permanent location--often holding workshops at her Spotsylvania County home and at area libraries until they were able to move into this space in September. "It was a miracle that we were able to find a location that has the size and layout that it does," she said. "It's very much what we needed and wanted." The 2,000-square-foot space was donated by the Silver Cos., which owns the building, and the Rappaport Cos., which manages the property. "We're happy to be able to help, and we wish them the best," said Jud Honaker, the Silver Cos.' president of commercial development. He said the company has donated space to many charitable and nonprofit organizations over the years as a way of giving back to the community. The CAAGRI center has about eight computer stations set up for researchers to use, and is currently available only by appointment while it is finalizing its funding. "We owe them a huge thanks for giving us a start," said Royster, who is gearing up for CAAGRI's first Black History Month event this weekend. For the first time in history, the organization will bring together the direct descendants of Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman and Charles Nalle, the only publicly known fugitive slave to be freed from slavery.
Read more stories about Fredericksburg Date published: 2/23/2006
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