HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Hanover County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after items artifacts from an exhibit disappeared from the Hanover Tavern Friday night.
Authorities said the artifacts, which were part of a Black History Month exhibit, were taken from an unlocked glass display box in the lobby of the theater. It’s the first time the Hanover Tavern has displayed Black History items in its space.
The artifacts belong to Joyce Ricks and include buffalo soldier postage stamps, a perfume bottle and Confederate currency. Ricks said the items have been in her family for generations, having been traced back to as early as the 1800’s. She said the news that they had disappeared came as a shock.
“I thought maybe [it was] a mistake,” said Ricks. “Who would want my things?”
David Deal, the tavern’s executive director, said he had no idea why anyone would steal personal belongings.
“No matter what’s in here, if it’s Black history or any other history, if somebody were to take it, the reaction is the same,” Deal said. “It’s disgusting. Why would you want to do that? Why would you want to take from a nonprofit organization? I just don’t get it.”
Ricks hopes the people who did this will come forward and said she’ll hold out hope for a return.
“There’s nothing I can do,” said Ricks. “I can hold on to my memories and I can still tell the stories — and I have visual images of it. So those stories will continue.”
Police are continuing to investigate who could’ve taken the artifacts. Anyone with information is asked to call the Hanover Sheriff’s Office at 804-365-6140.
