THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606210220
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 75 lines
A portrait of Charles E. Hodges, a Deep Creek minister who represented the area that became Chesapeake in the General Assembly during the Reconstruction era, will be presented to the city as part of an exhibition of historical documents chronicling the life, culture and experiences of local blacks, whites and Indians at the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts.
The exhibition, entitled ``Portraits of the Past,'' will be on display today from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. A $10 donation will be requested as the price of admission.
The event is sponsored by The African-American Cultural Council of Virginia Beach, an organization that promotes community events to acknowledge the many contributions and accomplishments of various cultures in local communities.
``It is important to not only understand our differences, but to recognize that we have much in common.'' said Freddi E. Moody, president of the council. ``All the different groups have made Hampton Roads what it is today. Now we should cross racial and cultural barriers and work for a common goal.''
The photographs and original documents on exhibit offer a glimpse of 18th and 19th century people of Norfolk County, Princess Anne County, Portsmouth and Norfolk.
Many local citizens who worked for the improvement of their schools, churches and government have been forgotten in the passage of time, said Edna M. Hendricks, the council historian.
Hendricks said she became interested in the black history of Hampton Roads when her son had a school project, and they could not find much information. She began visiting homes and collecting photographs, documents, stories and family histories.
Since then she has presented her collection to many area schools and colleges.
``We have to remind ourselves and teach our children that our forefathers had a great struggle to get where we are today,'' Hendricks said. ``It is important that we make our children aware of our past history. They should have the will and gumption to want to continue to make things better. It was tough for everyone. Now we must all work together.''
Hendricks said she wanted the pictures and records to unfold the past so it will not be forgotten but passed on to the next generation.
The pictures on display include those of Hodges and his brother, Willis A. Hodges. The two were leaders in education, religion and politics in Norfolk County, which became Chesapeake, and Princess Anne County, which became Virginia Beach, during the period following the Civil War.
Charles Hodges was a property owner, a minister and a justice of the peace. He was the founding pastor of Divine Baptist Church in Deep Creek, and he served in the House of Delegates for Norfolk County and Portsmouth from 1869 to 1871.
Hendricks said the Hodgeses took blacks by the wagonload to register and vote. The historian said the brothers were driven out of Princess Anne County several times for taking black men to the polls. Other times, they were arrested and jailed for encouraging blacks to not only vote but to run for office.
In 1867 at a constitutional convention, Willis Hodges boasted that his grandfather, a free man, fought in the Revolution for American Independence. Willis Hodges later founded a school and a church in Norfolk County.
During the ``Missing Pages of History'' ceremony, scheduled for 5:45 p.m., portraits of Hodges and other black officeholders will be presented to representatives from Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth and Norfolk in hope that the pictures will be displayed in the cities' courthouses, said Hendricks.
Special awards will be given also to The Journal & Guide newspaper, a black-owned newspaper, which has promoted racial harmony and human betterment throughout its 96-year history.
Persis Jennings, a nationally known sculptor, will be recognized for her contributions to the arts. Jennings has been a patron and mentor to many local and international artists. MEMO: More information about Edna Hendricks' historical collection is
available by calling her at 557-9724. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Charles E. Hodges
Deep Creek minister by CNB