About

From ashes to AME, the congregation of what is now Portsmouth's Historic Emanuel has weathered many a storm during their 250+ year history. During the Revolutionary War, William "Billy" Flora achieved hero status fighting for our nation's freedom, and this historically black congregation has been producing freedom fighters ever since! Meet these incredible individuals and hear their stories during this interpretive presentation, the fourth and final installment of History Alive's Front Porch Talk Series. A Portsmouth front porch meant laughter. It meant tears. It meant stories. IT STILL DOES!

In many ways, the front porch replaced the fires of old, where folks recounted the events of the day, as well as the events of yesterdays. Before Facebook or photographs or even books, oral storytelling is how humanity shared and passed on its history. Laugh with us! Cry with us! Hear stories of our shared American History as it impacted African Americans in Portsmouth, the region, the state of Virginia, and our nation.