Virginia Beach History Museums Hosting “Elegance & DiviniTea” at Sandler Center May 14

​Join the Virginia Beach History Museums on Saturday, May 14, for "Elegance & DiviniTea," a high-style afternoon tea featuring fine haberdashery, delightful bites, and teas all rooted in African and African American traditions.

Enjoy your own "tea tower" of personally packaged sandwiches and sweets, along with tea selections specially curated for their connection with African and African Diaspora traditions. Models from the Virginia Beach community will also sashay down the runway, highlighting an array of vintage and modern hats, headwraps, and high style.

Emcee Bonita Billingsley-Harris, representing the Princess Anne County Training School/Union Kempsville High School Alumni and Friends Association, will also share images, facts, and fashion tips throughout African American style history. Local Professor Omyemi "Artisia" Green from The College of William & Mary will illuminate the history and symbolism of designer headwraps. All the fine fashion and adornment are accompanied by Symphonicity's Brass Jazz Quintet. Grab your favorite "crown," dress up and gather at the table for a fashionable afternoon filled to the brim with good food, good friends, and great fun!

Two seatings of 100 guests each (noon and 3 p.m.) are available in the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts' Miller Studio Theatre, 201 Market St. Tickets are $35 per person and must be purchased in advance. Ticket registration is through the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation ActiveNet system. If you do not already have an ActiveNet account, you will need to create your free account prior to purchasing tickets. If you have any questions about registration, please call 757-385-5100 or email vbhistory@vbgov.com.

Tables are limited to four people each. If you plan on going with a group, please purchase your tickets together, or contact us to ensure we seat your group together as best as possible. Meal options will be provided in pre-packaged boxes. For dietary restrictions, please contact us no later than one week in advance, so staff can accommodate your request. For group seating and meal restrictions, email vbhistory@vbgov.com.

For the latest information about Virginia Beach History Museums events and tours, visit museumsvb.org.

ABOUT THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH CULTURAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT:

The Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department engages residents and visitors through meaningful arts, heritage, and cultural experiences to connect and strengthen communities. The Department assists and directs the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission, coordinates the City's Public Art Program, oversees Virginia Beach History Museums, provides contract management for the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, serves as the liaison with Virginia MOCA and the ViBe Creative District, and serves as a resource to local arts and humanities organizations.

ABOUT THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH HISTORY MUSEUMS:

The City of Virginia Beach History Museums include the Thoroughgood House, the Francis Land House, the Lynnhaven House, and Princess Anne County Training School/Union Kempsville High School Museum. The Virginia Beach History Museums are part of the City's Cultural Affairs Department. As part of the municipal government of the City of Virginia Beach, the Cultural Affairs Department engages residents and visitors through meaningful arts, heritage, and cultural experiences to connect and strengthen communities. Visit www.museumsvb.org for more information, and follow @VBHistoryMuseums on Facebook and Instagram, and @VBHistMuseums on Twitter, to stay up to date on all the events and news from Virginia Beach History Museums.

ABOUT PRINCESS ANNE COUNTY TRAINING SCHOOL/UNION KEMPSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL MUSEUM

Princess Anne County Training School was the first high school for African Americans in Princess Anne County, now known as Virginia Beach. The school was a result of the African American community in the 1930s working together to raise money to build a school so their children could receive a proper education. The initial money raised was used to purchase four acres of land on Witchduck Road. The school board received the land, and $2000, but it made no attempt to build a school. As a result, in 1934, a temporary school was established on the property of Union Baptist Church. In 1938, a four-classroom high school was finally built, and, between 1949 and 1962, several additions were made to the school. In 1962, the Princess Anne County Training School changed its name to Union Kempsville High School. After over 30 years of operation, Union Kempsville High School graduated its last class in 1969 due to the city-wide integration of schools. Today the legacy of the school continues with the establishment of the museum which shares stories of family, community, sacrifice, and the importance of education. The museum is located within Virginia Beach City Public Schools' Renaissance Academy. If you are an alumnus of the school or would like to support the museum, learn more about the Princess Anne County Training School/Union Kempsville High School Alumni and Friends Association at www.pacts-ukhs.org.

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