Christiansburg Institute (CI, Inc.) is a grassroots 501c3 cultural heritage nonprofit with a mission of community education, intergenerational empowerment, and the responsible stewardship of African American history and culture in Southwest Virginia.
CI, Inc. | Our Work.
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Christiansburg Institute Museum and Archives
Embark on a journey at the Christiansburg Institute Museum & Archives (CIMA). Uncover and explore a century of United States history as we delve into the remarkable story of the Christiansburg Industrial Institute, the first secondary school in Southwest Virginia to educate the formerly enslaved, and reinvestigate African American history and experiences in rural Appalachia from Emancipation to Desegregation.
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Christiansburg Institute Research Action Center
The Christiansburg Institute Research Action Center (CIRAC) is a collaborative learning and workspace incubator committed to researching and advocating for the preservation of culturally significant African American sites in the region of Southwest Virginia with a focus on Montgomery County.
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Tours and Educational Services
We provide immersive educational experiences that celebrate the rich history and cultural contributions of African Americans in Southwest Virginia. Our offerings include private guided tours of the CI Museum & Archives (CIMA) and the CI Research Action Center (CIRAC), along with workshops that deepen understanding of local history, cultural preservation, and the lasting impact of the historic Christiansburg Industrial Institute.
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Historic Preservation
Explore our efforts to preserve the historic Edgar A. Long Building, the only remaining pre-1950s structure on the historic Christiansburg Industrial Institute campus. This building stands as a vital link to the past, embodying the legacy of the institution and its impact on education, culture, and the African American community. Our stewardship ensures that its history, significance, and architectural integrity are honored for future generations.
We are located at 125 Arrowhead Trail, Suite F, Christiansburg, Virginia, 24073
Christiansburg Institute Digital Archives
The first class of students who attended Christiansburg Industrial Institute were formerly enslaved. The last class integrated.
CIDA is a digital repository preserving illustrating nuanced narratives of African American life in Southwest Virginia. The collections are held in the Christiansburg Institute Museum & Archives (CIMA) share their stories.
Explore CIDA for a vivid portrayal of how the power of imaging brings to life nuanced stories of our nation's collective history.
Christiansburg Institute Exhibit in Partnership with VT University Libraries
Learn more about the ‘Shining a Light on Christiansburg Institute: A Collaborative Digitization Effort’ exhibit curated in collaboration with CI, Inc. and Virginia Tech University Libraries.
Christiansburg Institute Wayside Sign Unboxing
Discover an in-depth exploration of the meticulously curated and strategically placed wayside signs on the historic Christiansburg Industrial Institute campus in Montgomery County, Virginia.
Delve into the efforts we invested to install these informative markers, providing a richer understanding of the site's historical significance.
African American Legacy Tour: Montgomery County
The African American Legacy Tour series will gradually incorporate additional African American sites of memory and cultural significance that are located throughout the counties and cities of the New River Valley, providing a unique, visceral, and honest pathway for community members to reinvestigate Black histories and experiences in rural Appalachia in Southwest Virginia from Slavery to Civil Rights.
The first driving tour series starts in Montgomery County, Virginia, home to the historic Christiansburg Industrial Institute (CII). Tourists will visit 19 sites total, located in Christiansburg, Blacksburg, historic New Town and Wake Forest, each illustrating a nuanced insight into African American life in Southwest Virginia. Tour sites include schools, churches, businesses, cemeteries and former plantations.
