The Barrett-Peake Heritage Foundation mourns the passing of board member Dr. Phil Egert
From his obituary:
On January 25, 2022 our beloved Philip Rolly Egert, 67, of Hampton, Virginia departed this life surrounded by family and loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer.
Philip held a deep passion for music as reflected in his impressive collection, and loved sailing, reading, golf, gardening, building model boats, and fine cuisine.
Arrangements are being handled by H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Norfolk, Virginia. The family held a private viewing. Philip will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Hampton City Schools Cuts Ribbon for Mary T. Christian Elementary School, Foundation's Founder
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Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; Ms. Hope Harper, State Delegate Jeion Ward, Principal Shelly Lawrence, Dr. Benita Toler (Dr. Christian's daughter and Board Member), Mrs. Keisha Samuels -
Dr. Benita Toler (Daughter and Board Member) providing keynote remarks -
Ribbon cutting led by Superintendent Jeffery Smith, School Board Members, City Council representatives and the family of the late Dr. Mary T. Christian
A Gathering to Celebrate the Life and Legacy of
Mary Peake
In honor of our one of our namesakes, Mrs. Mary Peake, the Barrett-Peake Heritage Foundation gathered at her family plot in Historic Elmerton Cemetery, Poplar Street side, at 4:00pm, Monday, February 22, 2021, for a moment of silence and reflection. Mrs. Peake died on February 22, 1862. Mrs. Peake devoted full measure to her community. She was brave when she decided to teach Black people how to read and write which defied Virginia law. She founded the Daughters of Zion, which attended to the needs of those bereft by enslavement. She was indeed someone who cared about her race and believed in self-sacrifice.
A wreath was placed at the Peake Family Plot, where Mrs. Peake’s remains are alongside her husband, Mr. Thomas Peake. Mr. Peake was a Union spy, one of the first trustees of First Baptist Church, and rose to become one of Elizabeth City County’s first Black Constitutional Officers.
Councilman Steven Brown offered a memorial prayer. The public was invited to attend.
For more information, contact Board President, Dr. Colita Fairfax at
Thanks to Breakthru Beverage Virginia for their generous donation
We thank Breakthru Beverage Virginia and Mr. Bryan Goldsmith for their donation to the Barrett-Peake Heritage Foundation. Receiving the donation are Dr. Colita Fairfax, President; Dr. Angela Goodloe, Vice-President and Mr. Erik Wilson, Board member.
Dr. Christian included in list of
"Influential Women in Virginia"
Recently, USA Today profiled "Influential Women of Virginia - Twelve women who were chosen from a list of nearly 70. Among them was our founder, Dr. Mary T. Christian. Here's their profile of her:
Throughout her career, Mary T. Christian was a champion of education, a longtime legislator and a committed community leader. Christian was the first Black person and the first woman to represent Virginia’s 92nd House District and the city of Hampton after Reconstruction. After her 1985 election, she served as delegate until her retirement in 2004. Christian was also the first Black woman elected to the Hampton City School Board.
Born and raised in Hampton, Virginia, Christian grew up as the second of five children. After high school, she earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), a master’s from Columbia University and a doctorate in education from Michigan State University.
She began her career as an educator at Aberdeen Elementary School in Hampton, where she was an elementary school teacher. Christian, or “Dr. C” as her students called her, eventually served as a professor at Hampton University for more than 25 years and became dean of the School of Education.
Christian was a political activist and served as a campaign manager on four campaigns before launching her own political career. During her time in the General Assembly, Christian was a member of several committees and was one of the first Black people appointed to the House Appropriations Committee. She focused on supporting and introducing education and healthcare legislation.
After she retired from the General Assembly, Christian did not simply relax at home; she continued to organize in her community. In 2013 she co-founded the Barrett-Peake Heritage Foundation, an organization that aims to restore and preserve African American sites in Hampton, Virginia. In the 1990s, Christian gained support for her movement to preserve African American cemeteries. The Barrett-Peake Heritage Foundation continues this work and hopes to fulfill Christian’s vision for the foundation’s future.
Cemetery Cleanup Organized to Honor
Dr. Christian's legacy
In Honor of our Founder, the late Dr. Mary Christian, we chose to maintain her tradition of cemetery preservation during the Memorial Day weekend.
Given COVID-19, we couldn't convene at the cemeteries on Memorial Day as we normally would, but were still able to do significant maintenance thanks to the generosity of a core group of volunteers and contributors.
An Unveiling of Historic Significance
On Sunday, May 20, 2018, we unveiled two new historic markers at the historic headquarters of the 1908 Virginia Federation of Colored Women's Clubs.
The event was a complete success with Mayor Tuck, Senator Mamie Locke, Delegate Jeion Ward, and U. S. Congressman Robert 'Bobby' Scott, Councilman Will Moffett in attendance. Minister Larry Gibson provided the Invocation and Blessing of the Marker.
Please enjoy the photos from the event below:
The Peninsula Community Foundation of Virginia Presents Grant to the Barrett-Peake Heritage Foundation
Michael A. Monteith, CEO of the Peninsula Community Foundation recently presented a $10,000 grant to Dr. Mary T Christian, representing the Barrett-Peake Heritage Foundation for renovation of the Educational and Cultural Center located at 123 East Pembroke Avenue, Hampton, Va.
Attending the ceremony at the Peninsula Community Foundation were Lloyd Seay, Capital Campaign Co-Chair, Barrett-Peake Heritage Foundation, Ross Mugler, Capital Campaign Co-Chair, Donnie Tuck, Mayor, City of Hampton, Sandra Timmons, Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Assistant, Mike Monteith, CEO, Peninsula Community Foundation, Dr. Mary Christian, President and Co-Founder, Dr. Angela Goodloe, Program Director, Dr. Colita Fairfax, Vice-President and Co-Founder, Jack Ezzell, CEO, Zel Technologies LLC and Peninsula Community Foundation Board Member, and Jimmy Gray, Vice-Mayor, City of Hampton.