DANVILLE VIRGINIA

Danville, Virginia

As the last standing Confederate capital, the quiet city on the Dan River known as Danville, Virginia, was long a source of racial tension. In 1960, Black students staged a sit-in at the Danville Public Library. Rather than allow them to simply do their schoolwork, the library closed altogether. Other protests followed, including the events of Bloody Monday, when demonstrators were met with police brutality.

Today, the same building that once denied entry to its Black citizens is now the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, where an exhibit titled “The Movement” presents testimonies of the protestors who staged the sit-in and depicts the struggles they faced in the oftendangerous fight for equality. Several other notable historic landmarks can be found in Danville, including High Street Baptist Church, where activists organized demonstrations. They can visit the museum and nearby landmarks to learn about the extensive role the city played in the civil rights movement.

History buffs will also appreciate Danville’s AAF Tank Museum, dedicated to showcasing a collection of military tanks and related artifacts from the 16th century to the present. For a range of hands-on exhibits and live demos related to the STEM field, travelers can visit the Danville Science Center, which includes a butterfly garden from April to October.

Danville is home to a number of breweries and wineries for visitors to enjoy, including Ballad Brewing, a craft brewery producing delicious local IPAs and ales. For upscale entrees and waterfront views, visitors can head to Cotton at Riverside Mill on the banks of the Dan River.

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