Mary Lauderdale moved to Richmond, VA from Philadelphia, PA in 1995. She first learned about the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia after viewing a spot on the 12 o’clock news – the museum was looking for new volunteers – and she was hooked! Two years later, she was offered a temporary position, and now it has been an 21-year labor of love.  Mary has served as front line staff – chief docent, visitor and volunteer services, gift shop manager and operations manager. Mary is a founding member of Sisters of the Yam, an African American Quilters’ Guild, which has been meeting at the museum since the guild’s formation in 2001.  Mary says that Virginia’s Black History is America’s history, and has opened up a wider view of history and culture to learn and interpret.  She loves interacting with patrons. We have visitors come from all the continents. Leading interpretive tours with interactive exhibitions – “high tech with high touch”  serves to enhance the museum experience.