Rediscovering Little Petersburg: A look at the past, present and future of a rur

Just after the Civil War, newly freed African Americans faced the daunting challenge of where to live and how to survive in an oft times hostile new social order in the south. One solution was to establish self-sufficient freedman’s villages, sometimes with the help of their former masters. These communities thrived up into the mid-20th century, but then faded as younger generations moved away to take advantage of job opportunities in the cities. 
 
One such freedman’s village is Little Petersburg. Located in Orange County, Virginia, Little Petersburg survives to this day, mostly because of a small church and its dedicated congregation. Rediscovering Little Petersburg takes a look at this remarkable community and its church through the eyes of people who were born and raised there.