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Searching for Jimmie Strother: A Tale of Music, Murder, and Memory

History Lecture
What’s Happening?

Blind musician James Lee “Jimmie” Strother’s 1936 recordings at the Virginia State Prison Farm provide a unique window into Virginia traditional music in the early twentieth century. Just as important, his life and lyrics tell us much about the experiences of Black people in America in an age of segregation and heightened racial violence. Author and historian Gregg Kimball will discuss the social meaning of Strother’s songs, which speak of labor exploitation, sundown towns, and the dangers of the world. Strother’s personal experiences as an industrial laborer, migrant to the city, and street performer all reflect these larger social forces that shaped Black life in America. Kimball will also perform selected songs from Strother’s repertoire.

Gregg Kimball is an author, musician, and historian. He is the senior consulting historian for the Shockoe Institute and the former director of public services and outreach at the Library of Virginia. Gregg is the author of American City, Southern Place: A Cultural History of Antebellum Richmond and, most recently, Searching for Jimmie Strother: A Tale of Music, Murder, and Memory.

The content and opinions expressed in these presentations are solely those of the speaker and not necessarily of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

Program Notes:

Tickets are required for in-person admission. Tickets are not needed if you would prefer to join us live on YouTube or Facebook.
Admission to this lecture is free for members. 
In-person attendees are invited to meet the speaker immediately following the lecture.
Signed copies of the book will be available at ShopVirginiaHistory.org.

Blind musician James Lee “Jimmie” Strother’s 1936 recordings at the Virginia State Prison Farm provide a unique window into Virginia traditional music in the early twentieth century. Just as important, his life and lyrics tell us much about the experiences of Black people in America in an age of segregation and heightened racial violence. Author and historian Gregg Kimball will discuss the social meaning of Strother’s songs, which speak of labor exploitation, sundown towns, and the dangers of the world. Strother’s personal experiences as an industrial laborer, migrant to the city, and street performer all reflect these larger social forces that shaped Black life in America. Kimball will also perform selected songs from Strother’s repertoire.

Gregg Kimball is an author, musician, and historian. He is the senior consulting historian for the Shockoe Institute and the former director of public services and outreach at the Library of Virginia. Gregg is the author of American City, Southern Place: A Cultural History of Antebellum Richmond and, most recently, Searching for Jimmie Strother: A Tale of Music, Murder, and Memory.

The content and opinions expressed in these presentations are solely those of the speaker and not necessarily of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

Program Notes:

Tickets are required for in-person admission. Tickets are not needed if you would prefer to join us live on YouTube or Facebook.
Admission to this lecture is free for members. 
In-person attendees are invited to meet the speaker immediately following the lecture.
Signed copies of the book will be available at ShopVirginiaHistory.org.

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More about Virginia Museum of History & Culture
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture was founded in 1831 as the Virginia Historical Society. The oldest museum in Virginia and one of the oldest in the United States, the VMHC has devoted nearly two centuries to collecting and preserving the artifacts of our past to share the far-reaching history of the Commonwealth of Virginia with the world. Today, this nationally respected museum and research organization cares for a renowned history collection totaling more than nine million items and engages hundreds of thousands of Virginians and other guests annually.
When & Where
Jun 12, 2025, 12:00pm to 1:00pm Timezone: EDT
Virginia Museum of History and Culture
428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd.
Richmond, VA
Free
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