Black history runs deep in Hanover County, and Carolyn Tibbs Hemphill is on a mission to find it, preserve it and let the world know about it.

Ms. Hemphill, a retired independent consultant and Ashland native and resident, is the founder and chief executive officer of the Hanover County Black Heritage Society.

Founded in 1994 to re- cord and spotlight the legacy and contributions of African-Americans who live or have lived in Hanover County, the society works to erase what Ms. Hemphill and former classmates at John M. Gandy High School see as “a significant void in the history of African-Americans in Hanover County,” according to the society’s website.

All information collected by the group, including texts, photos, oral histories and more, is open to the public for use or review.

Ms. Hemphill’s decades-long interest in African-American history began when she was attending the sole public high school for African-Americans in the area at the time of seg- regation.

The society has furthered Ms. Hemphill’s interest. Dur- ing its 25 years in existence, the society has published multiple monographs documenting African-American history in the region; created a traveling exhibit that allows their displays to be showcased across Ha- nover; celebrated 19th-century minister John Clarke with a historical marker; sponsored an oral history project identifying eight African-American families dating as far back as 150 years; and preserved the Rutland Slave Cemetery on U.S. 301, with some of the data gleaned from

the area now archived in an exhibit at the Smithsonian.

The group also celebrates African-American history in a more general sense, with annual celebrations of Juneteenth, the June 19 emancipation of slaves in the former Confederacy, and yearly participation in the Ashland Christmas Parade.

Looking over all these achievements, it’s no surprise that Ms. Hemphill is excited about her role in “providing a much needed venue for preserving information about Hanover’s African-American population.”

To hear her describe the feedback the society receives, those connected to Hanover County are pretty excited, too. The group’s work has connected a number of families and relation- ships, including a vacationing Californian with the broader history of his sister in the region. The office regularly receives calls and emails from people curious about family that may have lived in Hanover County. Given the depth of information the group has uncovered so far, there’s likely still more to be found in just the work they’ve done already.

The society is preparing to recognize “African-American Trailblazers on the Rails,” an exhibit debuting Saturday, Nov. 2, for the 17th Annual Ashland Train Day, a railroad-themed event of music, activities and exhibits, including model trains. It will be held at the Ashland Train Station, 112 N. Railroad Ave. in Ashland.

At the event, the Hanover County Black Heritage Society will offer a free publication that includes “Been Workin’ on the Railroad,” the story of Samuel Ballton by William G. Thomas, and a listing of some Hanover County residents who worked for the railroad as laborers, porters and travelers.

While the society may be lacking a permanent headquarters to coordinate their efforts — a personal dream for Ms. Hemphill — the group remain steadfast in its mission to ensure this part of Hanover history isn’t buried and forgotten.

Black history in Hanover runs deep, and Ms. Hemphill and the society are still digging — and finding more — every day.

Occupation: Retired independent consultant.

Date and place of birth: March 19 in Ashland.

Current residence: Ashland.

Education: Bachelor’s in sociology, Virginia Union University.

Family: Married to Calvin E. Hemphill.

When and why Hanover Black Heritage Society was founded: The society was founded in 1994 to highlight and document the accomplishments of African-Americans who live or have lived in Hanover County.

Its mission: The society’s mission is to collect, preserve, educate and exhibit information on the histories and contribu- tions of African-Americans in Hanover County.

Why I am excited about this organization: I am excited about the society because it is providing a much-needed venue for preserving information about Hanover’s African-American population. In doing so, we have established a place for individuals to begin to conduct initial family research projects and learn about the contributions of others —sometimes they might even be relatives. For example, after reviewing the Hewlett Family History publication, my granddaughter remarked, “Everybody in Ashland is related to each other one way or the other.” In addition, we have a collection of documents, photographs, oral histories, a small library of books about and written by African-American authors and other information on individuals who lived in Hanover County that is available for use and/or review by the public.

Upcoming event: 2019 November 2, Train Day Exhibit- African American Trailblazers on the Rails

Dream for organization: My dream is to find a permanent home for the society.

How one can volunteer: By contacting our volunteer coordinator, Kelli Payne Williams, at pmisskay2002@yahoo.com

Outlook at start of day: Thankful I am awake to begin another day.

A quote that I am inspired by: “When you know better, you do better.” — Maya Angelou

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Painting. I “dabble” in what some would describe as folk art painting.

At the top of my “to do” list is: Continue my research and complete a second edition of my first publication, “Betsy Hogg Tinsley: A Free Woman of Color.”

Best late-night snack: A Snickers bar.

My friends say that I: Continue to amaze them with all the things I’m involved with at “my age.”

The one thing I can’t stand: Procrastination.

Person who influenced me the most: My mother, Elizabeth Tinsley Tibbs.

What I’m reading now: “And Still I Rise: A Book of Poems” by Maya Angelou.

My next goal: To find a permanent home for the Hanover County Black Heritage Society that will support our needs.