Against the backdrop of Richmond’s historic Main Street Station, plans for the Shockoe Institute are moving forward. The city has selected Team Henry Enterprises to lead construction of the more than 12,000-square-foot educational facility in Shockoe Bottom, a site central to Richmond’s role in the domestic slave trade.

Funded by an $11 million grant from the Mellon Foundation, the Shockoe Institute was launched in July 2024 as a national organization dedicated to examining the lasting impact of racial slavery in America. The independent nonprofit will serve as a space for education and reflection, focusing on Virginia’s role in the internal slave trade and the broader national implications of this history.

Team Henry Enterprises, a Virginia-based construction firm led by CEO Devon Henry, has worked on numerous historic revitalization projects across the country.

“We are honored to partner with the City of Richmond and the Shockoe Institute on this transformative project,” Henry said. “Our team understands the profound significance of this site, and we are committed to executing this project with the utmost care, precision and respect it deserves.”

  

Marland Buckner, president and CEO of the Shockoe Institute, called the selection of Team Henry a key milestone toward opening the facility by 2026.

“Alongside our world-renowned exhibition design partners Local Projects, Team Henry will bring the kind of high-quality construction capability and expertise critical to ensuring that the Shockoe Institute can meet its mission,” Buckner said.

Once completed, the Shockoe Institute will use research-driven exhibitions to explore the legacy of enslavement and contribute to discussions on shaping a more just future.