On Sept. 11, Alexandria celebrated a remarkable milestone: a proclamation honoring the Evans family’s more‑than‑250‑year presence in the city. Councilwoman Jacinta Greene presented the proclamation at the Basilica of Saint Mary, emphasizing that preserving the histories of long‑standing African American families helps future generations understand the full story of the community.

Deep Roots in Alexandria

Research by genealogist Char McCargo Bah uncovered that the Evans lineage stretches back to the city’s earliest Black residents. Andrew Evans, a well‑known comedian, learned that his family was one of only 27 Black families present when Alexandria was founded. The family’s story includes Milly Evans, who was enslaved and later emancipated by Thompson Mason, grandson of founding father George Mason IV, and her free‑born son Marion James Evans, a bricklayer who helped settle the family in Alexandria.

First Documented Library Sit‑In

In August 1939, William Buddy Evans and four other young men staged a sit‑in at the Alexandria Library—now the Kate Waller Barrett Branch—to protest segregation. Library director Rose T. Dawson has spent two decades ensuring this historic act receives its proper place in the national narrative, noting that other cities have claimed the “first” library protest while Alexandria’s event predates them and even reached the Supreme Court.

Celebrating the Family’s Ongoing Contributions

The library also displayed photographs taken by Evans descendant Elrich Murphy, documenting Black life in Alexandria from the 1930s through the 1970s. Rita Murphy Harris, Evans’s niece, described the exhibition as a long‑overdue recognition of her father’s work, which had previously gone unnoticed.

Personal Reflections

Andrew Evans said, “History is never lost; it just has to be rediscovered.” His niece, Kimmie Evans‑Reed, recalled learning that her grandfather was one of the five brave men arrested during the 1939 protest. She explained that the story gave her hope and perspective for her own family’s challenges.

Community Impact

Councilwoman Greene highlighted the importance of keeping African American history alive, especially as the nation approaches its semiquincentennial. “Your history is rich, and it is extremely important to celebrate it,” she said.

The event underscores Alexandria’s commitment to honoring its diverse heritage and ensuring that the sacrifices of early Black residents are remembered and taught to future generations.

Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.