African Americans of Hanover County, Virginia

From farmers to pastors, teachers to sailors, and everything in between, the Black history of Hanover County reflects the dedication and values of the community.

Freedwoman Betsy Hogg Tinsley, in time, became one of the largest landowners in Ashland. Founded in 1870, Brown Grove Baptist Church has been the center of its neighborhood for more than 150 years.

During the time of segregation, Lucian Hunter of Mechanicsville worked to make sure that Black students could get to school. The Barksdale Theatre in the Hanover Tavern produced Virginia’s first professional play based on the African American experience. Tracing their history back to 1796, the Brooks family boasts military service across five generations.

Author and local social studies teacher Joe Gorman celebrates the rich history and proud heritage of Hanover County African Americans.

Joe Gorman has taught middle school social studies with Hanover County Public Schools for twenty-seven years. He taught for twenty-one years at Liberty Middle School in Ashland and has been teaching at Bell Creek Middle School in Mechanicsville for six years. He has lived in Hanover County in Mechanicsville with his wife, Jennifer, since 2002. They have four amazing children named Joey, Zachary, Zoe, and Joshua. He hopes that you enjoy these fascinating stories and have a Social Studies - Minded day.