Library of Virginia to host free talk on Belgian Friendship Building’s history

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Art historians will give a free talk on the Belgian Friendship Building's history at the Library of Virginia, according to officials.

On Thursday, March 19, the Library of Virginia will present a free noon talk by art historians Katherine M. Kuenzli and Kathleen James-Chakraborty on their latest book, “The Belgian Friendship Building: From the New York World’s Fair to a Virginia HBCU," per a March 3 press release.

They will be joined in the discussion by preservation architect and historian Arthur J. Clement, Library of Virginia officials said.

According to a release, the book explains how the Belgian Friendship Building, originally constructed for the 1939 New York World’s Fair, ended up on the Virginia Union University (VUU) campus.

Officials said the original purpose of the building was to present modern Belgian design and to praise a government they view as racist and colonial.

Registration is required here -- a book signing will be followed by the talk.