A Virginia Luminary & Her Writing Desk

Media Type

Audio

About the Episode:

In the first episode of this mini-series, learn about a writing desk owned by the Lynchburg poet and civil rights activist Anne Spencer, featured in the Virginia Museum of History & Culture’s (VMHC) Treasures of Virginia exhibition. Hear a reflection on the life and career of Anne Spencer, her literary and societal contributions, and the significance of this unique object.

Guests:

Dr. Karen Sherry, (former) Senior Curator at the VMHC
Shaun Spencer-Hester, granddaughter of Anne Spencer and the Executive Director and Curator of the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum

Episode Resources:

See Anne Spencer’s writing desk on display in the Treasures of Virginia exhibition at the VMHC in Richmond. Plan your visit.
Learn more about Anne Spencer at the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum in Lynchburg, Virginia. Book a tour.

Inside the Episode

A top-down view of a small black-laquered writing desk with pearl inlaid in a floral motif.

Courtesy of the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum.

Anne Spencer's Writing Desk (top view)

An acclaimed poet and civil rights activist, Anne Spencer (1882-1975) of Lynchburg was part of the flourishing of Black culture following World War I known as the New Negro Movement or Harlem Renaissance.

She used this writing desk for what she called her "scribblings." One poem captures her bold spirit with the line, "Being a Negro Woman is the world's most exciting game of 'Taboo.'"

A small black lacquered lap desk inlaid with mother of pearl in a botanical pattern.

Courtesy of the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum.

Anne Spencer's Writing Desk (side view)

Courtesy of the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum.

Anne Spencer's Writing Desk (back view)

A detail of a small black lacquered lap desk inlaid with mother of pearl in a botanical pattern.

Courtesy of the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum.

Anne Spencer's Writing Desk (detail)

Courtesy of the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum, Inc. Archives.

Anne Spencer, 1901.

Spencer challenged racism and sexism throughout her life. For example, she helped found the Lynchburg chapter of the National Association of Colored People (NAACP) and boycotted segregated buses. As librarian of a segregated high school, she fought for resources for Black students.

Courtesy of the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum, Inc. Archives.

Anne Spencer in her garden, 1947.

An avid gardener, Spencer drew inspiration from nature. Her poems addressed themes of growth, renewal, and spiritual connections with the natural world. "Change" (1931) begins: This day is here I hoped would come at last, / When I, a man, should ive again a tree

A painting of people at a cocktail party.

Courtesy of the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum, Inc. Archives.

"The Cocktail Party" by Dolly Allen Mason

Mural painting in the Spencer home, about 1940. The New Negro Movement celebrated Black self-determination and artistic expression as means of combating racism. Spencer contributed poetry to its publications. Her Lynchburg home was also a place where leading Black cultural figures shared ideas and camaraderie.

A split Zoom screen of Karen Sherry and Shaun Spencer-Hester

Dr. Karen Sherry (left) and Shaun Spencer-Hester (right)

Featured in this podcast episode is an interview and conversation with Dr. Karen Sherry, (former) Senior Curator at the VMHC, and Shaun Spencer-Hester, granddaughter of Anne Spencer and the Executive Director and Curator of the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum.

Shaun Spencer-Hester, sitting in her grandmother's office, holds up a copy of J. Lee Green's book, "Time's Unfading Garden."

Shaun Spencer-Hester, sitting in her grandmother's office, holds up a copy of J. Lee Greene's book, "Time's Unfading Garden: Anne Spencer's Life and Poetry."

Production Credits:

Host: Ren Hollis

Producers: Nicole Martorana, Ren Hollis, Tracy Schneider, Hailey Fenner