After three years during which she championed the city’s Black history through exhibits and education, Gaila Sims is leaving the Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM), the museum stated in a release on Monday.
Sims first joined FAM in 2021 as curator of African American history and special projects, and most recently has served as its vice president of programs and interpretation. According to the release, Sims will remain in the Fredericksburg area after leaving her post Aug. 1. She will work on her book, which focuses on racial issues in Fredericksburg and will be published by LSU Press.
“I love this museum and community so much, and I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve done in partnership with the City of Fredericksburg over the last several years.,” Sims said in a statement. “I am in awe of the history and community in this place and so grateful for every project, every conversation, and every experience I’ve been able to have here. The opening of Living Legacies presented me with a natural time to step away and pursue some other projects.”
In addition to writing, Sims will begin teaching a class in African American History this fall at Germanna Community College.
Under her leadership, FAM’s collaboration with the City of Fredericksburg in interpreting African American history was transformed. Her projects include a new exhibit on the slave auction block that stood on the corner of Charles and William streets for over 170 years, new wayside historic panels throughout the city, a new African American history brochure, exhibits on the Marquis de Lafayette and her capstone project, Living Legacies: African American history in the Fredericksburg Area.
While she is stepping back from her duties, Sims will continue to work with FAM on special projects, including the upcoming exhibit at the former location of the auction block.
“While we are saddened to see her go, Dr. Gaila Sims’ impact will continue to be large in Fredericksburg, and we look forward to working with her while she pursues academic passions,” FAM CEO Sam McKelvey said in a statement.
The museum stated that it will begin an immediate search to fill “the important role of curator of African American history.”
