Philip Adderley - President
Philip was born and raised in Nassau Bahamas; he immigrated to USA to attend Morehouse College, Atlanta, Ga. He graduated with a B.A. Physics in1980 and accepted a Technologist position at Fermi National Accelerator lab in Aurora, Illinois; working there 7 years. He accepted a new position as Senior Technical Associate - Vacuum Specialist with Thomas Jefferson Accelerator, Newport News, Va. (1988-current). Philip became a ‘Founding Member’ of the Contraband Historical Society in 1998. He is also a board member of "Citizens for Fort Monroe National Park (CFMNP-2006 - current)".

He lobbied in the Virginia Legislature, along with CHS's Founder - Gerri L. Hollins, supporting a National Park Bill presented by Hampton Delegate Thomas Gear. Philip undertook a rewarding challenge as CHS's President (2012 - current), engaging in the preservation of local historical sites, and the 'Contraband Descendant's Narratives' significant to the ‘Legacy of the Contraband Decision’ of May 24th, 1861 rendered at Fortress Monroe.

Anthony Gabriele - Treasurer
Anthony (Tony) Gabriele has been a member of the Contraband Historical Society since the late 1990s. He is the treasurer of the Society and is involved in creating and presenting the Society's living history programs, in which he has often appeared as General Benjamin Butler.

Bernard Holley - Secretary
Bernard is the co-founder and apostle of PUSH 2U Ministry with mission and field experience. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Trident University International . He is an author, educator, and a musician.

Cynthia Harges - Media Specialist
Cindy has been a graphic artist and webmaster for many years. Aside from retiring from a 35+ year government positon she has volunteered for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, African American History Portsmouth, and Breaking the Glass Foundation, and other freelance opportunities. She is a "Contraband" descendant by way of Cross/Borden heritage.

Pamela Holley - Descendant Connection Chair
She is the co-founder and apostle of PUSH 2U Ministry. Pamela has mission and field experience: Itinerant Street Ministry, held outdoor services, spiritual healing and deliverance, Homeless Ministry, shelter supervisors, and resource referrals . She is a "Contraband"Brooks/Savage descendant. Pamela is also a member of Middle Peninsula African American Genealogical. She plays the keyboard and is a singer.

Tim Rutherford - Executive Committee Member
Tim has worked as an advertising executive, marketing professional and national sales trainer for more than 45 years. He and his wife founded The Other 50% Foundation, Inc., a Boston based non-profit dedicated to telling the untold stories of American history. Tim has run two Boston Marathons and is the single most devoted Boston sports fan living today. He is also the 3rd great grandson of General Benjamin Franklin Butler. He and his wife have three children, six grandchildren and live outside Charlottesville, Virginia.

Liza Rodman - Executive Committee Member
Liza is an author, a student of history, and board member of the Contraband Historical Society. She is currently serving as a researcher and producer for the forthcoming PBS documentary THE GATE: The Story of America's First Contraband Community. Her current book project, THE LIST: The Contrabands, Ben Butler, and the Civil War, explores the early experiences of self-emancipated people during the Civil War, a subject rooted in the discovery of her own enslaved ancestors and a shared familial history with her husband. Rodman has developed a significant archive of historical documents, personal testimonies, and oral histories to support her work. A fellow of the Hambidge Center, she holds a BA from Vermont College and is a graduate of UMass Amherst. She is also the author of the memoir The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer (Simon & Schuster, 2021).

Jennifer Wiggins - Executive Committee Member
Jennifer is a graduate of Norfolk State University (NSU) and currently works at NSU as a Transfer Admissions Counselor. Her hometown is Hampton, VA. She is interested in being involved with CHS because of seeing the work her dad, Dr. Wiggins, has done for the organization and also enhance her knowledge of US History, but also the African History that has shaped America of what it is today and spread about the work CHS has done and is still doing to those who are not aware of our rich African heritage and history.

Bracey Boone - Executive Committee Member
Bracey was born and raised in Hampton, Va. and is currently residing in Washington, DC. His interest in local history began as a child often asking questions of his Great-Grandfather about his life growing up and his various friends. As a CHS member, he is honored to help preserve the history of former enslaved people that built the community where he grew up and to share their stories with everyone possible.

Regina Tucker - Executive Committee Member
Born and raised in Newport News, Regina Tucker has been a lifelong resident of Virginia. Attending William & Mary College and Hampton University, she created her legacy as a Financial Receivables Specialist with B&N Firm located in Oyster Point. After 32years, she retired and has enjoyed the space to become more involved in cultural work. As the Narrator and Stage Manager for the Contraband Historical Society's play 'Prelude to Freedom' and Spoken Word Artist for the poem 'Bones1619, which is registered in Washington D.C's Library of Congress, Regina's passion is to spread knowledge of 'our Black Ancestors' and to shed light on the stories untold.

BECOME A MEMBER

Annual membership fee: $20 for Adults - $10 for Students
Checks or Money Orders payable to Contraband Historical Society
11 East Mellon Street, Hampton, VA 23663 | 757 848-6462 contrabandhs@gmail.com

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