Through the Lens | Elrich Murphy Photography Exhibit Opening

Описание: On February 21, 2026, the Alexandria Library's Local History/Special Collections Branch hosted a presentation by Rita Harris and Dale Harris, the daughter and grandson of Elrich Murphy. The presentation kicked off a month-long exhibit of Murphy's photography at the Library.

The event was opened by Library Director Rose T. Dawson, and Alexandria Living Legend and professional genealogist Char McCargo Bah.

Background:
Elrich Murphy, a professional photographer, documented everyday life within Alexandria’s African American community throughout the mid-20th century. Born in 1909, Murphy attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Alexandria and Armstrong High School in Washington, D.C.

Murphy worked at William J. Gallery and Co., a Washington, D.C. supplier of religious goods. His photography career began in the 1930s as a hobby with a simple box camera. Over time, he amassed a collection of more than 2,500 images featuring family portraits, children, weddings, graduations, formal gatherings, and scenes of daily life.

Murphy’s photographs reveal a community determined to live life to the fullest, celebrating milestones, nurturing families, and building a vibrant social and cultural world, while offering a vivid window into the resilience, culture, and identity of Alexandria’s African American residents. This exhibit presents a selection of his remarkable work, honoring his legacy and the stories he preserved.