Built by Blacks: African American Architecture and Neighborhoods in Richmond, VA

by Selden Richardson, Duke Maurice (Editor)

Richmond is a classic Southern city, most notable as the Confederate capitol. However, the irony of Richmond is that much of its beautiful architecture was built by Black laborers. The city's vast and varied collection of architecture provides an archive of African American history, both of enslaved and free peoples. Author Selden Richardson explains how iconic symbols of old Richmond and the generations of Black laborers who helped assemble it are embodied in both the preserved and the forgotten architecture of the city. After you finish this book, it will be as if the buildings in Richmond tell their own stories to you.

Genres: Architecture, History, Historical

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Paige Sellars · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible! As someone who loves history, I appreciated this author’s approach to Black history and architecture. It paints such a realistic and accurate picture of Richmond throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. I have such a newfound appreciation for the city’s historic sites and architecture thanks to this book.

[Ashley Clubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for my neighborhood apartheid research studio. Really helpful in researching the erased neighborhoods of Richmond. Sobering to read what institutions, structures, and community spaces were demolished for the sake of silencing rich Black history.

[halle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super informative read! I especially enjoyed the sections on Jackson Ward, Navy Hill, and Richmond’s Black cemeteries. This book is a great extension to learning Richmond’s deep Black history.

[Savant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Duke is not the author of this book, Selden Richardson is. Duke's role was limited to being editor and took some of the photos..