Visit us

The Newsome House Museum and Cultural Center is the restored 1899 residence of prominent African-American attorney J. Thomas Newsome and his wife Mary Winfield Newsome. At the turn of the 20th century, Mr. Newsome moved his family to Newport News, Virginia, where he prospered as part of the postwar South’s new urban, African-American middle class.

Active in civic affairs, Mr. Newsome advocated for education, voter registration, and community improvement. His elegant Queen Anne residence served as the hub of the local African-American community and the base from which he led the fight for social justice in the Commonwealth.

Today, the restored Victorian landmark remains a historic fixture in the City, serving not only as a museum to Newsome’s accomplishments, but as a venue for exhibitions, special events, and community functions. It was the first structure owned by an African-American to receive a National Historic Preservation Award.

The Newsome House Museum and Cultural Center Foundation is a City-appointed board that supports the exhibits and programs of the Museum. Its meetings are open to the community and are held on the third Thursday of the month at 6pm at the Newsome House. The remaining meetings for 2023 will be September 21, October 19, November 16, and December 21.