Step into a pivotal chapter of American history with Brick by Brick: The Interconnected Fight for School Equality. This powerful traveling exhibit traces a century of African American educational struggle and achievement in the segregated South (1866–1966), told through the story of the first African American secondary school in Southwest Virginia - the historic Christiansburg Industrial Institute.

Featuring rare archival materials, historic photographs, and firsthand accounts, Brick by Brick reveals how education became a force for empowerment, resistance, and collective determination in Black communities. Visitors are invited to engage deeply with the lived experiences of students, educators, and families who built opportunity - literally and figuratively  - against formidable odds.

Ideal for museums, schools, libraries, and cultural institutions, Brick by Brick offers an immersive, accessible educational experience that centers resilience, truth, and the enduring impact of Black educators and learners on American history.

This project was made possible by a generous grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Interested in hosting this exhibit in your space?

Contact: outreach@christiansburginstitute.com for more information.