Dr. Gaila Sims joined the Fredericksburg Area Museum as the Curator of African American History and Special Projects in August 2022.

The Curator of African American History and Special Projects is responsible for the development of exhibitions, interpretation, and programming related to African American History at the museum and for the City of Fredericksburg. This includes an updated exhibition surrounding the Auction Block on the first floor of the museum, a comprehensive exhibition on African American History in the Fredericksburg Area on the second floor of the museum (to open with accompanying publication in 2025), and the review, revision, and enhancement of City interpretive materials, including wayside panels, brochures, and walking tours.

For more on African American History at the Fredericksburg Area Museum, visit famva.org/curator-of-african-american-history.

The Auction Block, associated with the sale of enslaved people, stood on the corner of William and Charles Streets in downtown Fredericksburg from around 1843 until June 2020.

The Auction Block was placed at the FAM in fall 2020 and opened to the public with an accompanying temporary exhibition soon after. In November 2022, following the arrival of the Curator of African American History and Special Projects, the FAM opened “A Monumental Weight: The Auction Block in Fredericksburg, Virginia,” a physical and digital exhibition grounded in historical documentation, academic scholarship, and extensive community involvement.

For more information on the exhibition, visit A Monumental Weight: The Auction Block in Fredericksburg, Virginia.