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Monica Robinson's November 2020 Newsletter:

Greetings to our supporters, friends, and those in the struggle to uncover lost history. It is a pleasure to bring blessings to you from this wonderful new position. During a time when our country is struggling through a Pandemic of epic proportion, we are trying hard to be creative in our methods to keep you informed and included in our work. We are excited to bring you our Soul Food Program virtually on November 20th. Be sure to get your order in by November 14th!! Although our normal has become a “new Normal” we promise you that we remain the SAME. Our mission to Learn, Share, and Illuminate is in the forefront of everything we do. I look forward to serving you and exploring how to move the Project forward in exciting NEW ways.
Yours;
Monica Robinson
SVBHP Executive Director

Update: We are finished selling the meals for our dinner but be sure to tune in to our Facebook page on November 20 at 7:00pm to learn about our eight honorees.
2020 Honoring Shenandoah Valley Soul Food History and ChefsJoin us as we celebrate soul food chefs of the valley. Due to Covid this year's celebration will be held virtually on November 20th during a live Facebook event. That evening we will be honoring a group of Valley Chefs including Benthany Veney, enslaved Chef in Page County, Chef Mike Brown Brown, known for his BBQ restaurants and cooking for the Redskins, and others. Meals are being prepared by Chef Ed of Po’Greens’s of Front Royal, Va. Join us as we “taste” southern Hospitality prepared lovingly by the “Green Team”.

If you would like to support our fundraising efforts, but do not want the dinner you can purchase a meal and we will give it to someone in the community. You can order and pay for your meals on our website https:valleyblackheritage.org/nomoringsouldfoodhistoryandchefs.html, by email robinlyttle@valleyblackheritage.org, or give us a call 540-908-1020 or 540-560-2560 to order and arrange payment.

Welcome to new board member
Ms. Diane Madden
Join us as we welcome and thank our newest board member Ms. Diane Madden. Diane is a native of the Shenandoah Valley and shares a passion for learning and preserving the history of African-Americans in the Valley. She is a descendent of Mary Madden, an irish immigrant who was the property of President Madison. Their story was uncovered when a hidebound trunk was found containing freedom papers, deeds of land, letters, and other gems unraveling a story of oppression and family love. This story can be read in the book We Were Always Free: The Maddens of Culpeper County, Virginia: A 200-Year Family History, which can be found at our Heritage center. If your interested in volunteering or becoming a board member at the center please email Executive Director Monica Robinson at svbhinterns@yahoo.com

Welcome to new volunteer Sandy Parks who is helping us with our Burial Grounds Database. She is also a wonderful photographer. Thank You to our recent supporters....

In honor of Banita Teixeira through the generosity of the Jenny & Robert Brown Family Fund of the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg-Rockingham
The Anonymous Fund of the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg-Rockingham in support of our Burial Grounds Fund
Deane Geier, Susan George, Elaine and Robert Blakey, Larry Yates, Katie Dean, and Caroline Swinegood and the Go Fund Me donors, Christen Peters, Glenna Moore, Sylvia Rogers, Rosemarie Palmer, Kate Wolford, Theresa and Gabe Houck, Kate Douglass, in honor of Ella Pascal, Rosemary Wallinger, Troy Allison, Andrea Schwartz Freeburg, Adriana Herring, Marilynn Jarrells, Michael Stempel, Mike Mitri, Lou Pugh, Ilse Ackerman, Monica Slater, Miriam Basinger, Heidi Pennington, Carolyn Burkholder, Dani Kagan, Sam Hamilton, Katie Monroe, Stephanie Eye, Damon and Jamilla Walker and all of you have made donations through purchasing meals for our Soul Food Dinner and everyone else who have supported us over the years. God Bless!
And special thanks to the Friends of the Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project who are so generous with their monthly donations..Jim and Diane Orndoff, Chris Bolgiano, Jackie Wells, Sharon Barber, Carla Perlo, RuthAnna Myers, Tina Silverman and Robin Lyttle.

Interns: Helping one step at a time
The SVBHP would like to introduce Elainah, a rising senior at James Madison University. Elainah is majoring in history with the hopes of entering academia after attending grad school. She has interned at the Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project for almost 6 months now! During her time with us, she has been researching for our program "Honoring Shenandoah Valley Soul Food and Chefs." This project is designed to recognize some of the many African Americans who were chefs in the Valley- from enslaved persons to current black owned restaurants. Elainah has conducted several phone interviews, done some genealogy research, and even took a "road trip" to eat at one of the restaurants she's researching. Elainah is looking forward to honoring these chefs, their relatives, or their descendants at an event in the future!

The SVBHP would like to introduce another intern. Noah van Treeck is a James Madison University student studying Political Science and Leadership. He is a senior cadet in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and will commission as a Second Lieutenant into the U.S. Air Force in May of 2021. Noah’s main focus within the SVBHP is gathering information and assembling contacts for the process of Virginia property and historic landmark grant allocations. Thank you Noah van Treeck for all your hard work and dedication.
The SVBHP would like to introduce Spencer Law, a senior History and Media Arts & Design major at James Madison University with a minor in African, African American, and Diaspora Studies. He is also a part of the Honors College and works as a student assistant in the department of Career and Academic Planning at JMU. He has volunteered with the SVBHP for two years and currently serves on the advisory board, emphasizing the importance of building a relationship between JMU students and Harrisonburg residents. This summer, he is focusing on fundraising and development efforts to sustain the valuable resources and programs that the SVBHP provides to the community, especially our internship program.We would also like to welcome our new interns, Aliza Matthews and Emily Chavez. AND Lauren Oakes and Rita Yoham for their work on creating a walking history tour in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

We would like to extend many thanks to our interns, Kate Small and Brianna Madden-Olivares for their work with us last summer.
Remembering William A. GoodJohn 11:34, Jesus ask, “Where have you laid him” The people answered, “Lord, come and see.''

Local historian and author, Mr. William A. Good, passed away on September, 6, 2020. Mr. Good spent a lifetime researching and uncovering the lost burial grounds of the enslaved in the Shenandoah Valley. Because of his diligence and hard work, we are able to gain access, place markers, and bring dignity to those who toiled continuously to make the Valley what it is today. The center is working hard to place a marker in his honor near the Soxman Cemetery, as he suggested in his book.The SVBHP is indebted to Mr. Good for sharing his research, knowledge, and help. Our hats are off to you Mr. Good. Farewell thy faithful servant.
Becoming a recurring monthly donorPlease consider supporting our work by becoming a RECURRING MONTHLY donor and receive a SVBH face mask. A small monthly donation of $10 will help to continue the great work of our internship program. Signing up is easy. Click on the link and begin making a difference today. https://valleyblackheritage.org/donate.htm

Thank you for your support! I look forward to my work with the Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project.
Yours;
Monica Robinson
Executive Director
Our website: www.valleyblackheritage.org

Our mailing address:
Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project
425 Hill St.,
Harrisonburg, VA 22802.

Our phone number is: 540 908-1020
Our emails: Robin Lyttle robinlyttle@valleyblackheritage.org
Monica Robinson svbhinterns@yahoo.com

Our EIN#: 81-1709430

Newsletter, June, 2020
"In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist."
ANGELA Y. DAVIS

Antiracist.
noun
noun: anti-racist

a person who opposes racism and promotes racial tolerance.
"a committed antiracist who used his vocal genius and popularity to break racist picket lines at schools"

adjective
adjective: anti-racist

opposing racism and promoting racial tolerance.
"he was active in the antiracist movement in the US"

Since I moved here in 2003, I have heard the most racist statements ever in my 70 years on this earth. I stopped listening and started reacting. Here are some of the comments I have gotten from people when they learned of my effort to recover and honor African American history in the Shenandoah Valley.

"So kind of you to help those people." prominent member of DAR
"I knew one in high school and he had a child out of wedlock." a prominent Harrisonburg lawyer
"I agree with Jim Brown, they should pull themselves up by their bootstraps." a mortgage officer at a community bank.
"Slavery wasn't so bad in the Shenandoah Valley." academics from local universities.

It doesn't stop with comments....

The dentist in Broadway who had on their bulletin board in a public space for all to see, a doctored up photo, which was an ugly portrayal of President Obama and Hillary Clinton. Yes, I took it off their bulletin board in a fit of disbelief.
And just yesterday as I was picking up my eye glasses "the Governor is just bending over, taking the statues down is ridiculous." the eye doctor's assistant in Harrisonburg. I spoke up, cancelled my future appointment and told them I would not be returning. Does it make a difference. I think so. If they didn't realize before, they now know their views can and will be challenged.

We, as individuals, must face these statements head on. Challenge racist remarks when you hear them.

I know many of you have read Ibram X. Kendi's book "How To Be An Antiracist". Here are some other resources about antiracism.

National Museum of African American History and Culture. https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race/topics/being-antiracist How many lives will be taken before there is real change?
Antiracist Research and Policy Center, American University, Washington, DC https://antiracismcenter.com " The Antiracist Research & Policy Center aims to attract support from visionary philanthropists and foundations to fund teams of scholars, policymakers, journalists, and advocates to examine racial problems anew, innovate and broadcast practical policy solutions, and work with policymakers to implement them. Antiracist change comes (and has come historically) through unearthing and removing racist policy at the very root of racial inequity. Racist ideas that hide these roots, defending and normalizing racial inequities, must be removed."

From Healthline and Parenthood, https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/anti-racism-resources-for-parents-and-kids
From Fortune, https://fortune.com/2020/06/05/antiracist-books-donations-black-owned-businesses-resources/

Now I admit after my episode yesterday at the eye doctor's I was very upset. When I got to our Heritage Center, in the mailbox was a generous donation and a note which read "We stand in solidarity with you during these troubling times. We appreciate your mission and support your cause." My heart was lifted. We have had several donations since Mr. Floyd's murder. We know knowledge and education of all Americans is key to a better country. We thank all those who have supported and continue to support what we do. And if you can, please send a donation to us or to other worthy organizations with similar goals, like, the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center in Harrisonburg and the Josephine Museum in Berryville.

Support Black owned businesses. If it is a bank, look to see who is on their board. Do they have any African Americans in positions of authority or not. Get carry out from a Black owned restaurant, buy clothes from Black retailers, online if need be. Patronize these businesses, help make a difference to them and to our society. Support arts organizations actively supporting African American artists and projects. Continue to educate yourself and be open to change.

You can also attend (virtually) and support local African American churches. There are so many historic churches in the Shenandoah Valley and many have scholarship programs for their young congregants. Seek out and support them. If there is an active NAACP chapter in your community, see how you may become involved with their work. And by all means contact us if you are interested in helping with our research and other programs.

We want to thank Stan Maclin, Monica Robinson and the others around the Shenandoah Valley, who have organized peaceful protests in reaction to the recent murders and history of murders of African Americans by police and others.

We continue to honor African American History and Culture of the Shenandoah Valley, working to bring people together, to learn from each other, to recover and elevate. Bringing this history into the light. Knowledge is power.

Yours;

Robin Lyttle
robinlyttle@valleyblackheritage.org

Our mailing address:
Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project
425 Hill St., Harrisonburg, VA 22802.
Our phone number is: 540 908-1020

Enjoy Dave Nealon's Long's Hope as you watch our slide show.

Ella Young

We first met Ella through her grandparents, Jim and Diane Orndoff. Ella often attends local community programs with them and quickly volunteers to help. She inspired us with her reading of her essay at the Northeast Neighborhood Association's 10th Anniversary celebration this fall, included below.

The America I Believe In
by Ella Young

The America I believe in has come a long way from where it started. We have not been a country for long but somehow we are pulling it off. Could you imagine living when girls did not have rights, or wehn segregation was still going on? I can not that is all because of the way we are treated, the way we live, and also the laws we now have. It has not even been one hundred years since women have had the right to vote, that's ridiculous! "That man over there says women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches.....". Says Sojouner Truth. Now we have women like Simone Biles and Mia Hamm, olympic medalists, there is no way you would find one of them getting helped into carriages and lifted over ditches. Right now we have our first African American president, and to think it has only been sixty-two years since school segregation ended. On November 8th, we might get our first woman president. And it has only been 96 years since women could vote. Don't you think we Americans should have come to our senses before we actually did? In this world we still have countries like Pakistan in which for women to leave their home they have to be accompanied by a male relative. Women should have the same Rights as men no matter what race, what color, or what beliefs they have. The America I believe in should be role models to the countries whose leaders and dictators are not as kind as ours. We should all be working to help people in need. Everyone should think that today I am the one that is going to win the Nobel peace prize! The America I believe has changed, but as teachers always say, has room for improvement.

Ella is an 11-year-old 6th grader at Thomas Harrison Middle School, performs with Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir and Shenandoah Contemporary Dance Theatre. She has two brothers, Jack, age 9 and Declan, age 7. Her dad Jeremiah owns and operates Court Square Coffee and her mom Erin is the assistant principal at Stone Spring Elementary School. She loves Harrisonburg and Fairbanks, Alaska (Jeremiah's home town).

We honored Laten Bechtel and her good friend the late Barb Mc Sweeney in the fall of 2016. Both women have contributed so much.

"Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything." Mohammed Ali

On July 1st, Earl Martin and the Carpenter's Guild came to our rescue. They donated their day to doing our much needed repairs AND they built a handicap ramp for us!

We are honoring Earl Martin and the Carpenter's Guild for their amazing donation! Our future home, 425 Hill Street in Harrisonburg is a "fixer upper" and many of those much needed repairs were fixed on July 1st. The the carpenters started to arrive by bike and truck. The next thing we know the saws are buzzing and the carpenters are seamlessly working together. They built a handicap ramp and repaired a window in our book room, removed old paneling and widened our bathroom door. We had a nice lunch together and Dorothy Dickerson, Twila French and Doris Allen came by to express their appreciation for the great work being done. We can't thank them enough for this amazing donation. What a blessing it is.

May, 2016
We are honoring JMU's Dr. Mollie Godfrey, Dr. Sean McCarthy, the seventeen students and the Simms Advisory Board who created "Celebrating Simms, The Lucy F. Simms School" exhibition at the Lucy F. Simms Center in Harrisonburg.
The seventeen students who created this exhibition are Peter Boye, Lindsey Campbell, De'Shondra Dandridge, Paige Evans, Deana Forbes, Kailyn Harris-Gilliam, Anne Hardrick, Amanda Harvey, Micah Hodges, Hannah Jones, Katie McVicar, Emily Nava, Trevor Ohnmeiss, Raiy Pattinson, Brett Seekford, Ashley Short, Ellie Terrett. The Simms Advisory Board members were Doris Allen, Sharon Barber, Wilhelmina Johnson and Deanna Reid.
Go to the their website to see more.
_https://omeka.jmu.edu/simms/

Wilhelmina Johnson

A Prominent Member of the Northeast Neighborhood of Harrisonburg. She is a "Giver". Wilhelmina Johnson, the first Director of People Helping People , continues to help and inspire.

Wilhelmina Johnson receives NAACP Community Service Award in January 2016.

Wilhelmina Johnson not only was the first Director of People Helping People, in 1992, she was a founding "mother" of the organization. From 1969 - 1992 she worked with the Harrisonburg Social Services.   There she worked to help those in need of financial assistance for paying electric bills, etc. She reached out to local churches, whose ministers saw the need and responded. After a time the Ministers suggested an organization be created for the purpose of helping those in need of assistance. In 1992 People Helping People was created and the Ministers knew who would best serve as the first Director, Wilhelmina Johnson. She served as Director for six years and continued as a volunteer until the early 2000's when she stopped to take care of her ailing husband and mother.

She was celebrated in the Spring 2015 Issue of the Daily News Record's Bloom Magazine. In this article she is quoted "I've learned to appreciate each day as a gift from God, and what I do with that day is my gift to God and others."

She was honored during the Rockingham/Harrisonburg NAACP's Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 2016 program. Long recognized for her support of her church, community and most importantly family. But her care and love for children is clearly a large part of her motivation to help others.

Her reputation for giving and knowledge of the Simms High School community continues to this day as she is on the Community Advisory Board for the new exhibition on the Lucy F. Simms High School, her alma mater. She will be working with JMU students on the exhibition and what a wonderful inspiration she will be for them.

   Thank you Wilhelmina Johnson for being an inspiration to so many!

African-American Churches of the Valley!

I am honoring the Valley's African-American Churches this month. We are blessed with many churches who are celebrating 150 year anniversaries. Knowing that they started just after the end of the Civil War and are still active today is very reassuring. It speaks to the strength of faith and love of god and family. I am ever inspired by the words I hear from our Pastors. The intelligence in interpretation and communication is inspiring. They make us think and challenge us to be better people. But it is the chapels that have been the rocks of their community, have seen so much and remind us of those that have gone before. When you pass a little chapel think of it's history, it's joys, not just the struggles and rejoice in it's strength.

Dr. Carole Nash at the Newtown Cemetery Plaque Dedication hosted by the Northeast Neighborhood Association and the Newtown Cemetery Trustees. John Wesley United Methodist Church. Photo by Robin Lyttle.

Dr. Carole Nash is an assistant professor in the Integrated Science and Technology department. She focuses on environmental and cultural change in her teaching, and is an archaeological specialist. Her experience of 30 years in cultural resource management was instrumental in getting the Newtown Cemetery designated as an Historic Site. She and her students mapped Newtown Cemetery with state of the art equipment. Her work will benefit the families of this Cemetery for decades/centuries to come.

We all know teachers help shape our lives. Clearly Carole Nash has had that effect.

"The JMU professor who has made a lasting impact on my life is Carole Nash, professor of anthropology." By Katie Rorrer Brown ('95)

But what also makes Carole special is that she also gives back to her community through her work. Newtown is not the only Valley cemetery she has helped. She has helped families who have old cemeteries on their farms learn how to preserve those cemeteries. She recently worked on a cemetery of free people of color in the Northern part of the Valley. What a blessing that is! Thank you Carole!

This month (July - August 2015) want to honor Dennis Jackson. He is the editor and founder of
The Shenandoah Valley Hit Newspaper.

This year Dennis and the newspaper will be celebrating it's thirtieth anniversary. What an accomplishment in this day and age when newspapers struggle to stay alive. Dennis publishes once a week and you can find information about the paper at his website http://www.valleyhit.com.
In addition to publishing this great valley newspaper, Dennis honors many in the community through his awards programs. His Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. leadership awards are just one example. He also recognizes our youth and their accomplishments, the women in our community who do so much and are so overlooked for their contributions, the musicians and their contributions, as well as our much loved veterans. His programs are ceremonial and tell our neighbors stories with great respect. It is an honor to stand in front of one of Dennis' audience. I was one of his recipients for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership awards this year and I couldn't be more proud. What a gift!
Because he spends so much time recognizing and honoring others I felt it was time to say THANK YOU DENNIS! He is a blessing to the Valley!

HONORING DORIS ALLEN
LOCAL AUTHOR AND COMMUNITY LEADER.

Doris Allen's book "The Way It Was not the way it is" is so wonderful. Her memoire tells about growing up in Newtown, Harrisonburg. How it was and how is isn't today. Through her heart warming stories of childhood, her book reminds us that we are more similar then different. Her strength through love of family and faith inspire. But most importantly how one stands up and lives life despite it's challenges.

DORIS ALLEN MAKES AND CONTRIBUTES TO THE NEWS!

Here are two articles about Doris' book and a Letter to the editor she wrote this past February.

2015: DAILY NEWS RECORD - HARRISONBURG, VA

1996: THE HERALS DISPATCH - HUNTINGTON, WV

The members of Omega Psi Phi sing as they walk to the tent where the ceremony for the unveiling of Bishop Edgar Love's historical marker took place on April 18, 2015. Congratulations!

Honoring Al Jenkins and the many volunteers who have worked to restore Long's Chapel and now the cemetery at Dungeons's Chapel, near Spaders Church.

October found Al Jenkins, Pastor Evan Davis and members of St. Jacob Spader Lutheran, Church, Mt. Crawford, hard at work weed whacking and helping to uncover more valuable history. It was only recently discovered that St. Jacob Spader Lutheran Church owns the land the cemetery is on, as it across the road from the church. The neighbors of the cemetery have offered to help maintain it. What would we do without the help of these wonderful volunteers. Thank you all so much!

Long's Chapel, Zenda, Harrisonburg, VA

Thank you once again to Al Jenkins and to Horizon's Camp!

Over fifteen years ago Al & Robin Jenkins "uncovered" Long's Chapel literally. After volunteer hours, the little chapel has been restored and named to the Registry of Historic Places. It continues to be supported and maintained today by Horizon's Camp. John Hall and many from Horizon's are largely responsible for the chapel's restoration. They continue to work on the chapel and more renovations are in the works! Thank you Al and Horizon's!

Honoring Pat Johnson Blakey: A Wonderful Educator and Mentor

Pat Johnson Blakey was recently honored at a ceremony on October 18th. Mayor Ted Byrd read a proclamation given her by the City of Harrisonburg. Judge Anthony Bailey was the Master of Ceremonies. There were many tributes and a large crowd turned out to honor her. The Northeast Neighborhood Association sponsored this event and the one that took place later the same afternoon called "Building Justice".

Honoring Bishop Edgar A. Love and the members of
Beta Delta Delta (JMU) chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

Founder Bishop Edgar A. Love was born September 10, 1891 in Harrisonburg, VA. The Beta Delta Delta chapter at James Madison University will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the chapter charter in 2015 with a memorial tribute to Bishop Edgar A. Love.

Bishop Edgar A. Love's parents were Reverend Julius C. Love and Susie Carr. Born in Harrisonburg in 1891, the members of the Beta Delta Delta chapter at JMU are currently researching Bishop Love's history in Harrisonburg. They will be honoring their Founder this year with an historical marker. His father was associated with the John Wesley Methodist Church. Several members of the Harrisonburg community and beyond have helped in contributing information about Bishop Love's history and connections to Harrisonburg, Virginia.

This will be an ongoing story as we follow the research and progress of the men of the Beta Delta Delta Chapter. If you have any information about the Love's of Harrisonburg, please feel free to contact me via email: mailto:lblrobin@shentel.net

Honoring Michael D. Knapp

I am honoring Michael Knapp for his amazing contribution to the Mt. Jackson Colored Cemetery. I was fortunate to be able to have attended Michael's Eagle Scout Ceremony on June 14, 2014. I have included an excerpt of the power point presentation shown at the ceremony. It is about his project to clean, restore and build a fence around the cemetery in Mt. Jackson. With the help and support of his Scout Troop and family he not only cleaned up the cemetery but installed a permanent fence. This is a donation that will literally last for generations to come.

A few months ago I honored DeLois Warr for her work in Shenandoah County rescuing and documenting cemeteries. During her work on the Mt. Jackson cemetery, Michael reached out to her and a wonderful friendship and working relationship developed. Seeing this young man's contribution to this cemetery truly inspires.

Included in addition to the powerpoint presentation is the Daily News Record article by Preston Knight. Please take a moment and enjoy reading about Michael's amazing contribution.

We also must thank Jennifer Vickers for preserving and honoring the past. She has donated and made available several Staunton Tribune newspapers.
See the articles below about these wonderful newspapers!

This 1928 edition of The Staunton Tribune is one of five archival African-American newspapers that the public can read in the Library of Virginia's reference area. It's one of five restored newspapers donated to the library that provides a snapshot of African-American life in the more western part of the Commonwealth. (Courtesy of the Library of Virginia)

Five African-American newspapers published in Staunton, Va., early in the 20th century will be available for public view on Thursday, May 1 in the Richmond-based Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street. The newspapers detail the lives and concerns of African-Americans living in Staunton between 1916 and 1931.

The Augusta County, Virginia Genealogical Society donated the newspapers to the Library of Virginia, established in 1823 to house, protect and preserve books, manuscripts, newspapers and other materials documenting the Commonwealth’s history.

“We have encapsulated the African-American newspapers in sealed, acid-free, plastic sleeves. Anyone can see, touch and read them [without damaging them],” said Errol Somay, coordinator of the library’s Virginia Newspaper Project, which locates and inventories archival newspapers. “They will be in our second floor reference area. At a later date, we will scan and digitize them for Internet viewing.”

The Virginia Newspaper Project is part of the United States Newspaper Program, a cooperative effort by federal and state governments to microfilm U.S. newspapers published from the 18th century to the present.

“The Staunton newspapers are significant because they provide valuable insight about African-Americans in the more western part of Virginia,” Somay said.

All U.S. newspapers from previous centuries, whether published by whites or African-Americans, are difficult to obtain, explained Somay.

“African-American newspapers from the past are especially hard to find, because they haven’t been [saved or preserved] in any organized way. Such old newspapers are brittle and fragile. They must be stabilized, mended and healed in a conservation laboratory because they tear and crumble so easily.”

The newspapers acquired by the library are The Staunton Reporter, which focused on local news, and The Staunton Tribune, which highlighted national and international news.

Staunton resident Jennifer Vickers, 62, the newspapers’ original owner, sold them to the Augusta County, Virginia Genealogical Society years after her great-grandmother, grandmother and mother left them to her.

“I saw Alex Haley, author of the book ‘Roots,’ speak in 1970 at Mary Baldwin College here in Staunton,” Vickers recalled. “[I was inspired] to research my family history. When I read these newspapers, I saw in them the lives of family members.”

When Vickers began her research, there was little documentation about African-Americans in genealogy organizations or courthouses. “[African-American families’] information was often recorded in the back of record books, and not archived correctly,” said Vickers. “It was misplaced, or simply thrown away. Today with the Internet and family history websites, it’s much easier to trace families’ histories.”

An obituary published in The Staunton Reporter refers to Vickers’ great-uncle, Raymond Johnson. In 1916 he was struck in the head with a baseball, and died waiting for medical assistance that never came.

Not all of the newspapers’ articles are about tragic events. There are also accounts of religious revivals held in tents, essay contests, and a tour by a musical quartet from the historically black Hampton Institute (now known as Hampton University) that was “well received” by audiences.

Vickers’ oldest newspaper was an 1894 edition of The Staunton Tribune, which she donated to the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African-American Research at Harvard University.

“The Staunton Tribune is important to Virginia history because it was published by Willis Carter, a former slave who became an educator and publisher,” said Somay. Prior to newspaper publishing, Carter was a teacher and a principal in Staunton. He led civil rights demonstrations, and served as an alternate delegate to the 1896 Republican National Convention. Somay said the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute’s director, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, expressed interest in the newspaper because of Carter’s history.

“We don’t know who edited The Staunton Tribune issues we have in our collection,” said Somay. “They were published after Carter’s death.”

Vickers kept the Staunton newspapers for personal reasons, but eventually decided to share them with the public. “My only intent and responsibility was to honor [my] family history, their memory, and gift them for future generations to come,” Vickers said.

The Virginia Newspaper Project seeks other historic Virginia African-American newspapers. Individuals who own such newspapers and are willing to donate them or provide copies to the Library of Virginia or the University of Virginia may email Errol.Somay@lva.virginia.gov, or call the library at (804) 692-3500. For a list of the newspapers, visit http://www.lva.virginia.gov/exhibits/mitchell/comherit.htm.

Jennifer Vickers has made an amazing donation to the Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project!!!

Thursday, October 17, 2013African American Newspapers to Be Preserved, Made Public in Virginia

Jennifer Vickers holding the Staunton Tribune, a Virginia African American historical newspaper. These papers are now being preserved., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
African-American newspapers to be preserved, made public

Staunton resident sells five rare issues to genealogical society

Oct. 14, 2013

Saving History: Several decades-old African American newspapers from Staunton will soon be on display.

Written by
Michael Neary

STAUNTON — For Jennifer Vickers, the printed word is personal.

Lately she’s been perusing some newspapers, the oldest of which were published about a century ago. But the distance lies only in the years: these papers are filled with stories of her relatives, and they were delivered to the same West Johnson Street address in Staunton where Vickers — fourth generation — lives today.

Vickers pointed to a story from 1916 that depicted a great uncle, Raymond Johnson, who was hit with a baseball and died on the train waiting for treatment. “For me, it makes things come alive,” she said. “It feels like my grandmother’s brother is alive, because I can read how the church reacted when he died.”

Vickers has sold the five African-American newspaper issues, ranging in publication dates from 1916 to 1931, to the Augusta County Genealogical Society. The society is donating them to the Library of Virginia — a move that will become official on Wednesday.

Errol Somay, director of the library’s Virginia Newspaper Project, will deliver a presentation at 1 p.m. in the Waynesboro Public Library about newspapers in the state, with specific discussion about African-American newspapers.

Laten Bechtel, chairperson of the society’s African American Committee, said the Library of Virginia doesn’t have the funding to purchase the newspapers but will be able to preserve and display them.

Somay said copies of African-American newspapers are extremely rare. He said the library has copies of two African-American newspapers in hard copy — the Richmond Planet and the Virginia Star. Both began publication in the late nineteenth century.

Somay said issues of African-American newspapers are particularly hard to find, but he said all newspapers tend to be tough to come by after many years have passed.

“They’re great historical documents, but people threw them away,” he said. “It’s not like a letter by Thomas Jefferson that someone took care to save.”

Vickers said several African-American newspapers existed in Staunton early in the century. The five issues she has today come from two newspapers: “The Staunton Tribune” and the “Staunton Recorder.”

“The Recorder” is intensely local, and the “Tribune” assembles a range of international and local stories, from the Liberia slave trade to local neighborhood stories.

Vickers’ collection has already received attention. A few years ago Deborah Harding was in Staunton to research the life of Willis Carter, a Staunton resident born into slavery who became, among other things, an influential newspaper publisher and teacher.

At that time Vickers had an 1894 issue of the Staunton Tribune listing Carter as the editor.

Both Vickers and Harding were attending a dedication to Carter at Staunton’s Fairview Cemetery. Vickers gave the newspaper to Harding, who brought it back to Harvard.

Harding’s research on Carter was accepted by the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University, and world-renowned scholar Henry Louis Gates is directing the publication.

The papers Vickers has now were published after Carter’s death, and the editor, so far, is a mystery. Vickers has the crisp, fragile papers sealed carefully, and she doesn’t know what’s inside. The papers are so old that any attempt to open them could destroy them. That may change, though, once the Library of Virginia treats the papers.

“We have an in-house conservation lab that works on materials like this,” Somay said, noting that de-acidification processes may help to slow the newspapers’ aging. The paper may be encapsulated in an acid-free polyester film called mylar.

Somay said the library most likely will microfilm and digitize the newspapers. The digitization, he said, would enable the library to make the newspapers available online.

He said the library may have to investigate copyright issues before making them all available online. “The rarity will demand that we will really try to do as much as we can to preserve them and to make them accessible,” he said.

Bechtel said the newspapers provide a valuable and rare glimpse into African-American community life early in the 20th century.

“In doing African-American research there are so few primary sources,” she said. “In this area, African-American history has either been neglected or ignored over the years. There has been very little compiled or written.”

Bechtel presented her case to the society’s board of directors to draw from an African-American fund to purchase the newspapers.

The board ultimately approved.

For Vickers, the newspapers open a whole world that’s not often chronicled elsewhere. “I see a larger community than just Staunton,” she said.

At the same time, the newspapers touch something intensely personal. As Vickers looked at the story about her great uncle’s death, she noticed that it included a poem that someone from her church had written in commemoration.

One line from the poem presented by Ebenezer Baptist Church members especially captured Vickers’ attention. The poem envisioned a place in heaven “where no farewell tears are shed.”

Vickers said she liked the line because it spurred her to recall her mother’s funeral, which she described as a memorable celebration of her mother’s life.

The line provided another example of the way the decades-old newspaper can reach out to a larger world at the same time it strikes up the most intimate of memories.

Posted by Pan-African News Wire at 11:11 PM

www.valleyblackheritage.org; Director (540 746-2088), directormlr@valleyblackheritage.org; Mailing address: SVBHP, 425 Hill St., Harrisonburg, VA 22802
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Archives

Archives

Ella Young

We honored Laten Bechtel and her good friend the late Barb Mc Sweeney in the fall of 2016. Both women have contributed so much.

On July 1st, Earl Martin and the Carpenter's Guild came to our rescue. They donated their day to doing our much needed repairs AND they built a handicap ramp for us!

Wilhelmina JohnsonA Prominent Member of the Northeast Neighborhood of Harrisonburg. She is a "Giver". Wilhelmina Johnson, the first Director of People Helping People , continues to help and inspire.

African-American Churches of the Valley!

HONORING DORIS ALLENLOCAL AUTHOR AND COMMUNITY LEADER.

DORIS ALLEN MAKES AND CONTRIBUTES TO THE NEWS!

Here are two articles about Doris' book and a Letter to the editor she wrote this past February.

2015: DAILY NEWS RECORD - HARRISONBURG, VA

2015: DAILY NEWS RECORD - HARRISONBURG, VA

The members of Omega Psi Phi sing as they walk to the tent where the ceremony for the unveiling of Bishop Edgar Love's historical marker took place on April 18, 2015. Congratulations!

Honoring Al Jenkins and the many volunteers who have worked to restore Long's Chapel and now the cemetery at Dungeons's Chapel, near Spaders Church.

Long's Chapel, Zenda, Harrisonburg, VA

Honoring Pat Johnson Blakey: A Wonderful Educator and Mentor

Honoring Bishop Edgar A. Love and the members of Beta Delta Delta (JMU) chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

Honoring Michael D. Knapp

We also must thank Jennifer Vickers for preserving and honoring the past. She has donated and made available several Staunton Tribune newspapers. See the articles below about these wonderful newspapers!

Jennifer Vickers has made an amazing donation to the Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project!!!

Wilhelmina Johnson

A Prominent Member of the Northeast Neighborhood of Harrisonburg. She is a "Giver". Wilhelmina Johnson, the first Director of People Helping People , continues to help and inspire.

HONORING DORIS ALLEN
LOCAL AUTHOR AND COMMUNITY LEADER.

Honoring Bishop Edgar A. Love and the members of
Beta Delta Delta (JMU) chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

We also must thank Jennifer Vickers for preserving and honoring the past. She has donated and made available several Staunton Tribune newspapers.
See the articles below about these wonderful newspapers!