Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

McKenney House

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

1. McKenney House Marker

Inscription. The McKenney House was originally constructed as a residence for Mayor John Dodson in 1859. It was the residence of Confederate General William Mahone after the Civil War. The property was purchased by William R. McKenney in early 1911. The McKenney family gave the house to the City in 1923 to be used as a public library in honor of the prominent lawyer. Opened in 1924, the library was segregated for decades with white patrons allowed to use the main level and African-Americans only allowed in the basement level. In February 1960, Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker and Rev. R.B. Williams, African-American ministers, led a major sit-in at the library in an effort to desegregate the main level. That event kicked off a major sit-in movement in Petersburg and led to the appointment of Rev. Walker, of Gilfield Baptist Church, as Executive Director of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Several months later, the library became one of the first Petersburg institutions to be integrated.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1960.

Location. 37° 13.507′ N,

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77° 24.134′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It is at the intersection of South Sycamore Street (Alternate U.S. 301) and Marshall Street, on the left when traveling south on South Sycamore Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named McKenney Library (a few steps from this marker); The Home of Nora Fontaine Maury Davidson (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Weddell-McCabe-Chisholm House (about 400 feet away); Joseph Jenkins Roberts (1809-1876) (about 600 feet away); Joseph Jenkins Roberts

McKenney House at S Sycamore St & Marshall St. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

2. McKenney House at S Sycamore St & Marshall St.

(about 600 feet away); Gothic Cottage (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named McKenney House (about 700 feet away); Prince Hall Masons in Virginia (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. McKenney Library (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,537 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.