• Brighton Elementary Choir kicks off Black History Now Celebration
  • Linda Holmes greets Black History Now group at the Portsmouth Community Colored Library
  • Illustrator Linwood Pettaway's Rosa Parks on display at the Portsmouth Community Colored Library
  • Portsmouth Colored Community Library recognized as Literary Landmark
  • Brighton Elementary Choir poses for group photo at the Portsmouth Community Colored Library Black History Now Celebration
  • Portsmouth Colored Community Library circa 1945
  • Librarian Bertha Winborne Edwards preparing the Portsmouth Colored Community Library
  • 1947 Circulated Books Report - Portsmouth Colored Community Library, Virginia
  • Public Relations photo circa 1950 - Portsmouth Colored Community Library, Virginia
  • Librarian Bertha Winborne Edwards | Portsmouth Colored Community Library
  • Portsmouth Colored Community Library | Virginia | interior
  • Portsmouth Colored Community Library | Virginia | interior
  • Ebenezer Baptist Church


Copyright 2016 City of Portsmouth, VA
website by Arengee

904 Elm Avenue, Portsmouth, VA 23704 ยท 757-393-8983, ext. 20
Mailing Address: 521 Middle Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704
The Portsmouth Colored Community Library served black patrons from 1945 until 1963, when the main library was integrated. The small, one-story brick building was originally located on South Street near Effingham Street. The land at this new location was purchased with donations made by Portsmouth citizens, black and white.