Christiansburg Institute, Inc.

Who We Are

Christiansburg Institute, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission of inspiring community education, intergenerational empowerment, and the responsible stewardship of African American history and culture in Southwest Virginia. 

EIN 54-1975316

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This year, we hope to raise $10,000. Donated funds will support:

- Maintenance of Museum Exhibits and Archival Collections

- Youth Internships & Work Study Program

-Cultural and Historic Preservation Initiatives

- Community Engagement & Educational Programming

Our Work

Christiansburg Institute Museum & Archives 

The Christiansburg Institute Museum & Archives (CIMA), operated and managed by our interdisciplinary team, is a community-based museum and archival collection exploring a century of United States history through the lens of the historic Christiansburg Industrial Institute (CII), the first secondary school in Southwest Virginia to educate the formerly enslaved. 

Our museum provides a unique, nuanced perspective on African American history and experiences in rural Appalachia, spanning from Emancipation through Desegregation.

We offer guided tours of the Christiansburg Institute Museum and Archives (CIMA), creating opportunities for visitors to engage with the 100-year history of the Christiansburg Industrial Institute and the broader African American experience in Southwest Virginia. 

Through exhibits, archival materials, and interpretive storytelling, our tours inspire a deeper understanding of the people, places, and events that shaped our region while advancing cultural preservation, community education, and responsible stewardship of African American history.

Christiansburg Institute Research Action Center

The Christiansburg Institute Research Action Center (CIRAC) is our learning center dedicated to nurturing grassroots community engagement, promoting public education, and advocating for the cultural preservation of African American sites in Southwest Virginia. 

It features spacious environments with large desks for collaboration, comfortable seating, coffee tables, and oversized chairs. Our facilities include a 55-inch wall-mounted screen for group meetings and presentations. 

The Robert Henry Graham Legacy Library is home to more than 800 books, featuring works primarily by African American authors and covering subjects such as Black Studies, education, poetry, art, politics, history, sociology, economics, international studies, movement theory, fiction, and more. 

This curated collection provides community access to diverse books and reading materials that support learning, reflection, and cultural understanding. The space also includes a podcast recording studio with editing and production interfaces, premium content creation software, and free high-speed Wi-Fi.

Student Internship & Work Study Program

Our internship program provides a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience designed to cultivate the next generation of museum professionals, public historians, cultural stewards, and preservation advocates. 

Through meaningful project-based work, mentorship, and community engagement, interns develop practical skills, deepen their understanding of history and heritage, and gain the leadership experience needed to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond. 

Our work-study and internship programs welcome high school students, college students, and adult learners seeking meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth. Participants may engage in person at our museum and learning center or remotely through virtual platforms, providing flexibility and accessibility. 

Grounded in public history and museum education, the program emphasizes civic engagement, community organizing, leadership development, and cultural heritage preservation, equipping participants with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to become informed and engaged community leaders.