Professor of History and Director of American Studies Krystyn Moon

Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon is a member of the African American Heritage Trail Committee, which was recently presented with the Brenman Archaeology Award by the City of Alexandria. The city’s official announcement is below:

Alexandria Archaeological Commission Announces Winners of Brenman Archaeology Award

The Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC) is proud to announce the winners of the annual Bernard “Ben” Brenman Archaeology in Alexandria Award. The awards, named in honor of the late Ben Brenman, a longtime Commission chair, were presented by Mayor Wilson on Tuesday, October 26^th at the Alexandria City Council meeting. Councilmember Redella S. “Del” Pepper read the proclamation.

The 2021 honorees are:

Griffin Burchard: Outstanding Preservation Advocate, for his contribution to the stewardship of Douglass Cemetery, one of Alexandria’s historic Black cemeteries; for planning and implementing his 2019 Eagle Scout project at Douglass Cemetery, including the creation of a new interpretive historical sign at the site; for raising awareness about these sacred and fragile sites and the recognition that preserving Black cemeteries means preserving the history of Black Alexandrians; and for immeasurably enhancing the quality of life in Alexandria by caring for the final resting place of those buried here.

Members of the African American Heritage Trail Committee (including UMW Professor of History Krystyn Moon, far right, pink shirt) accept the Brenman Archaeology Award from the City of Alexandria.

African American Heritage Trail Committee (Councilman John Chapman, Susan Cohen, Gwen Day-Fuller, Elizabeth “Indy” McCall, Maddy McCoy, Krystyn Moon, McArthur Myers, and Ted Pulliam, founding and current members): Outstanding Community History, in recognition of their dedication to researching and highlighting the contributions of African Americans to Alexandria’s historic waterfront and throughout the city; for their leadership in the community history movement that engages residents and visitors with new ways of telling Alexandria’s unique history; and for their commitment to instilling a sense of collective ownership of the past for all Alexandrians.

The Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC) established the Brenman Award in 2007 in honor of the late activist and retired U.S. Army colonel. Brenman had devoted himself to finding, preserving, and sharing Alexandria’s rich and diverse heritage, and was a founding member of the AAC, serving as its chair for 21 years. The AAC, a City of Alexandria commission, was the first of its kind established in the U.S.

The Brenman Award recognizes businesses, organizations, families, professional preservationists, volunteers, students, and other individuals who have demonstrated work or efforts in archaeological investigation, research, site protection, education, public interpretation, open space design, collections, or conservation.

The 15-member AAC is appointed by the City Council and develops goals and priorities for Alexandria’s archaeological heritage. The commission works closely with residents, government agencies, developers, and teachers to promote archaeology in the city.

Professor of History and Director of American Studies Krystyn Moon

Professor of History and Director of American Studies Krystyn Moon recently gave a talk on “Exploring Systemic Racism in Alexandria: Housing” on March 18 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Virginia. Dr. Moon discussed “how the confluence of a Jim Crow past, plus development and market pressures, constrained the options of Blacks seeking to live in the city,” according to an article in the Alexandria Patch. Read more.

Professor of History and Director of American Studies Krystyn Moon

Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon was recently interviewed by Atlas Obscura about Thomas Dilward, one of the first African-American performers to tour with all-white minstrel troupes during the Civil War. Dilward made history as a member of these troupes, whose performances featured racist caricatures and exclusion, the article states. Later, he joined several black troupes that emerged after the Civil War.

Black troupes still performed white stereotypes of black people, but their performances allowed black people to gain some control over how they were portrayed on stage, and there were few other ways to make a living as a black performer, Moon says. Read more.