Two weeks ago, Dr. Gaila Sims opened her second major exhibit at Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM): Lafayette’s World – Revolutionary Ideals and the Limits of Freedom. This exhibit is the second major project for Dr. Sims, the Curator for African American History and Special Projects at FAM, since she joined the museum staff in August of 2022. Her first curation was A Monumental Weight, an exhibition about the auction block in Fredericksburg. In less than two years, she has managed to transform how history is uncovered and told in Fredericksburg.
After earning her PhD in American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, Sims knew that she wanted to focus on studying and curating African American history. Since accepting her position at FAM, she has channeled her efforts into how diverse communities have shaped the course of Fredericksburg history, from indigenous peoples to the LGBTQ+ community, while primarily focusing on African American history and culture.
Dr. Sims wrote the concept for Lafayette’s World exhibit in February of 2023, and was motivated by the upcoming Bicentennial Celebration of General Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Fredericksburg. Dr. Sims has included multiple stories of historic African American figures in this exhibit, demonstrating the impact they had on the story of General Marquis de Lafayette, and the collective story of Fredericksburg.
Dr. Sims is currently curating multiple upcoming exhibits at FAM, including Living Legacies: African American History in the Fredericksburg Area. This large exhibit will open on March 1st, 2025, on the second floor of the museum. She is also curating an exhibit about the food history of Fredericksburg, which will open in 2026.
Dr. Sims’ curation process always begins with brainstorming and reading about the topic she is interested in. For instance, as a former Food History Intern for the Smithsonian Institution, Sims knew that a food exhibit at FAM would be a fascinating and insightful glimpse into the history of Fredericksburg. Once she is well into reading and brainstorming, Sims proceeds to write down a concept for the exhibit. Her concept focuses on the three main focal points of the City’s food history: the River, the Kitchen, and the Market. Now that Sims has written down her general concept, and has an idea of which objects she wants to include in the exhibit, she works with an Exhibit Designer; the Exhibit Designer in this case is Pete Morelewicz of Print Jazz, who Sims hired to bring a truly creative approach to the curation.
Sims loves uncovering and detailing women’s history, and feels truly supported by the women in the Fredericksburg community. She wants women to feel comfortable in the exhibits of FAM, and to see their stories reflected in her curations. Sims is inspired by many historical Black women, including the Civil Rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer, the voting rights activist and vice-chair of the Freedom Democratic Party. Sims is inspired by her idealism and courage, which she sees reflected in the Black women, and the Black history, of Fredericksburg.
“I love local history,” Sims said. “I think there’s something so personal and intimate about it.” Sims has strived to make the exhibits at Fredericksburg Area Museum about this community and the lives of its citizens.
“We’re very much out in the community,” she said. “We’re very much available and accessible.”
Fredericksburg Area Museum is located at 907 Princess Anne Street. Follow them on Facebook.