Lori Graham
Contributing Writer
Heather Nicholson, Montgomery County Community Review Council (MCCRC) founding member, presented concerns about the future of historical sites and artifacts to Blacksburg Town Council during their Feb. 27 regular meeting.
During public address, Nicholson asked council to consider, as they move forward in their strategic planning, what will become of the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation as they work to preserve important African American history in the county.
“Questions remain for the funding of the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation,” Nicholson said. “How will issues of equity, transparency, and accountability towards St. Lukes and Odd Fellows be addressed? Will the deed be honored? And what cultural expertise is being considered in this important work?”
Christine King, Montgomery County and Nellie’s Cave community resident, addressed council with her ongoing issues surrounding the preservation of the St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall and local artifacts in danger of continued preservation. King also reviewed the Odd Fellows Hall deed of gift conditions during her public address.
“As a reminder, the deed of gift condition states in letter D, that the Town will form a subcommittee of the Blacksburg Museum that will consist of members of the organizations that built the Odd Fellows Hall and/or their descendant, who is me, and representatives from the community, others who have not been included in these committees that I’ve actually requested that they be added, interested in the preservation and presentation of the history of the black community whose charge will be to advise the museum committee, develop programs, and raise funds to supplement operating and maintain the Oddfellows Hall,” King said.
According to Nicholson, the MCCRC is “a collective of community members in Montgomery County, Virginia, committed to promoting equity in our grassroots approach to preserving the diverse history and culture of the County. As a grassroots initiative, in alliance with the Christiansburg Institute, we have been able to educate, advocate, and raise awareness of the significant inclusive social narratives.”
One recent event supported by the MCCRC was held on Feb. 15 at The Lyric Theater in downtown Blacksburg, with speaker Jordan Bell discussing the history of African Americans in the local areas of Roanoke and Montgomery County.
On Mar. 28 at 7 p.m., Karice Luck-Brimmer will be presenting, “Reclaiming History Through Preservation & Genealogy: One Woman’s Story,” also at The Lyric Theater. This event is through the partnership of the Christiansburg Institute and the MCCRC, with additional support from Virginia Tech Humanities. Tickets, along with a schedule of additional upcoming events, are available at www.christiansburginsitute.com.
“On March 28, 1905, James Anderson, John Anderson, Gordon Mills, John Rollins, Grandville Smith, and Robert Eaves met at 8:30. James Anderson proposed to the gathered members of the Tadmore Light Lodge 6184 of Grand United Order of the Odd Fellows to purchase a small lot on the corner of Gilbert and Barger streets in the center of New Town, an African American community in Blacksburg, Virginia. The price of $95 was agreed upon, as was the formation of a joint stock company with the Saint Francis Council of the Right and Worthy Grand Council of the Independent Order of Saint Luke,” according to information at www.blacksburg.gov.
The museum is free and open to the public by appointment. Appointment information can be found at the forementioned website.
