The Legacy Project was the name of the organization prior to its acquiring a building for a future
museum. It was initially sponsored by the
Lynchburg branch of the
NAACP. In 1995 it became incorporated with
501(c) non-profit status. In 1997 the Legacy Project acquired a 100-year-old, dilapidated but once-beautiful house at 403 Monroe Street, Lynchburg.
Architect Kelvin Moore was hired to draw up plans to transform the house into a modern museum. A Capital Fundraising Committee was formed to raise $300,000, and a Collections Committee was formed to solicit and archive artifacts for the permanent collection. The Legacy Project became the Legacy Museum of African American History. Renovation of the historic building that is the museum's home began in March 1999. On June 25, 2000 a celebratory dedication and grand opening was held. Dr. Vivian Pinn, Director of the Office of Research on Women's Health at the
National Institutes of Health, gave the opening address. The ribbon was cut by civil rights
pioneer Drucilla Moultrie and
historian Harry Ferguson, both in their 90s, and six-year-old Ashley Lewis. Since 2006, the museum has worked with the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and five other central Virginia museums to share ideas about programs and staff development. == Mission ==