Winfree Cottage, once home to Emily Winfree and her family after emancipation, stands as a poignant reminder of the trials faced by Black Richmonders during the Reconstruction era in Virginia. Rescued from demolition and moved to an inner-city parking lot in 2002, the architectural relic offers a small glimpse into the neighborhood as it existed when Emily walked its streets. A living artifact, the cottage embodies not only the indomitable spirit of Emily but also those who find kinship in her remarkable journey. Perhaps the greatest testament to her enduring legacy is the diverse success of her inspiring descendants – from a concert pianist to a star athlete, engineers, PhD holders, a Library of Congress librarian, a disc jockey, and a lineage of educators.

Now, with over 150 years of history etched into its walls, the cottage is on the brink of a symbolic renaissance as it prepared to return to its 1866 origins in Manchester, Virginia. More than a relocation, our mission is a purposeful revival – a commitment to not only restore bricks and beams, but to revive a vibrant hub preserving and sharing Richmond’s rich African American history. As we resurrect the cottage as a living memorial to the remarkable life of Emily Winfree, we proudly undertake a significant mission, ensuring Emily’s legacy endures for generations to come.