The City of Hampton: Through the Lens of Reuben V. Burrell and James Van Der Zee
Reuben V. Burrell has documented through photographs a half of a century of Hampton University events – both big and small. Not only is Mr. Burrell the Griot (historian) of the University but his lens goes beyond the campus into the surrounding community. Coming to Hampton as a student in 1938 Burrell finished his course requirements in 1940, after which, World War II was pending. He received a B.S. degree in Industrial Arts from Hampton in 1947, and then enrolled at New York University where he earned his M.A. degree in Industrial Arts Education in 1949. Hired at Hampton in December 1949, Mr. Burrell began his career as the school photographer. For more than sixty years, he has provided an invaluable service to the university documenting its history as well as reprinting historic photographs. He has also documented landmarks, businesses, social and civic activities in the city of Hampton. His photographs include well known individuals in the city as well.
James Van Der Zee is recognized as the dean of African American photographers based on his large body of photographs taken in Harlem, New York during more than half of the 19th century. In 1906 Van Der Zee left his hometown of Lenox, MA here he met and married Kate L. Brown, a seamstress from Newport News, Virginia. The couple’s first child, Rachel, was born in 1907 and shortly afterward they traveled to Virginia. The Van Der Zee’s decided to remain in Tidewater, VA where Van Der Zee found employment as a waiter at the Hotel Chamberlin. The photographs will share images of two categories: the everyday activities of Slabtown residents and the academic community at Whittier Preparatory School.
Partial funding for this exhibition provided by the City of Hampton, 400th Anniversary Celebration Fund.
January 29-August 30
Hampton University Museum
757-727-5508
for directions and more event information!
