Federation House Restoration Project

Come Explore the Fruits of Our Work!

Our years-long effort to renovate the last state headquarters of the Virginia Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, organized in 1907 by Janie Porter Barrett is complete, culminating with the grand opening on June 8, 2025.

This building is our gift to the people of Hampton and its incredibly rich history.

Come explore the building and learn about the people behind it.

Click HERE to learn more

WVEC-TV 13 News covered the Grand Opening. You can read their story HERE

Many thanks to these contributors:
First Baptist Church of Hampton | Hampton University | Ivy Baptist Church of Newport News

The Time Has Arrived!

The Barrett-Peake Heritage Foundation, Inc. held a donor’s open house for the newly renovated 100-year-old building at 123 E. Pembroke Avenue, Hampton on Sunday, February 16. The building was the last state headquarters of the Virginia Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, organized in 1907 by Janie Porter Barrett.

The Federation was a civic organization of African American women that prioritized the development and safety of girls and women, education, healthcare, economic opportunity, voting rights, raised money for special causes, and was the catalyst behind the creation of the Virginia Industrial School for Girls in Hanover County in 1915. There were chapters of the State Federation throughout the Commonwealth. It was affiliated with the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs (NACWC).

Mrs. Janet Roach, anchor at 13 NewsNow, presided over the dedication. Mayor Jimmy Gray and Dr. Colita Fairfax, foundation President and Norfolk State University professor provided remarks. Dr. Benita Toler, board member and daughter of the late Dr. Mary T. Christian delivered the keynote address. Rev. Dr. Todd C. Davidson, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church-Hampton provided the dedication.

The historic building will be developed into a museum, educational center, community meeting room, and porch theatre. A city-wide open house is planned for the spring of this year.

Watch a video from WVEC-TV 13

A Milestone Reached!

The Barrett-Peake Heritage Foundation Board celebrates the completion of the renovation of the 100-year-old structure that was the last headquarters of the VA Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, founded in Hampton in 1908! We did it! The Board holds the occupancy license! On to the development of our museum, educational center, community meeting room, and porch theatre!

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We thank Campaign Co-chairs, Community donors, Richard and Nancy Moore,
Zel Technologies, Dominion Charitable Foundation, Riverside Health Foundation,
Old Point National Bank, Towne Bank, and CensusChannel, LLC,

How the Project Developed



	Photos courtesy of Dr. Colita N. Fairfax (Click to enlarge)

Adjacent are pictures showing the renovations to the Federation House.

We had an angel investor for our project (which we will have to pay back), so with this investment and a grant we were able to secure from city of Hampton, we are able to make these exterior renovations.

Our next task will be tackling renovations inside the house.

Volunteer opportunities are available with the Foundation. We're in need of contractors, landscapers, painters, drywall installers, kitchen appliances, office equipment, and a house alarm system. hardwood buffers, and house cleaners.

If you'd like to provide a monetary donation to help with this important work, please click on the button below, or throughout this website by choosing "Donate" in the menu on top of the page.

Donate

Progress on the Renovations to the Historic Home of the Virginia Federation of Colored Women's Clubs

The ongoing renovations to our historic building are making great progress thanks to our 2024 Capital Campaign!

You can swing by the home located at 123 East Pembroke Ave. in Hampton to see for yourself!

The Barrett-Peake group working on a museum and gathering place

An edition of "Round Robin" - presented by the City of Hampton

"Dr. Mary T. Christian and Dr. Colita Fairfax are heading up an effort to turn the Hampton home of the Virginia Federation of Colored Women's Clubs into a museum and community gathering place. "

"And that's not all the Barrett-Peake Heritage Foundation is planning..."

Stories

Honoring women who mothered Hampton's children: The legacy of Mary S. Peake and Janie Porter Barrett

By Denise M. Watson - The Virginian-Pilot
May 7, 2016

The boarded-up house at East Pembroke Avenue and Eaton Street in Hampton is the roomy dream any mom would love, especially Janie Porter Barrett.

Before Barrett died in 1948, the social reformer would likely have filled its three stories and wrap-around porch with children to teach to read. To teach them how to pray, how to hold themselves with a pride that she knew from experience they would need.

The house is quiet now, rust-streaked and dark, in need of a loving touch like Barrett’s.

Two Hampton women have formed a foundation to restore the home in the name of two historic women who lived in different eras but had the same purpose of mothering Hampton’s lost children.