Groups of people seated at picnic tables in pavilion eating food with soda cans looking at man standing up in middle speaking. Plates, food, and drinks on table in background. Date on the back of photograph is 14 August 1995.
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Homes in the background on the right with trucks parked in grass. Mountain in background. Date on back of 14 August 1995.
Worn stone slab says “Conducted By Roanoke Central Y.M.C.A” Date on back of photograph 14 August 1995.
Worn stone slab that says “Lucius E. Johnson Camp For Boys” Date on back of photograph is 14 August 1995.
Red Chevrolet with driver door opened at stone gate that says “Lucius E. Johnson Camp for Boys” on left.. Sign on right says “Camp Roanoke Roanoke County Parks & Recreation Building tomorrow's parks today” Date on back of photograph is 14 August 1995.
Reflection of sky and forests on left and right sides in Roanoke river. Date on back of photograph 14 August 1995.
Rock structure along banks of body of water with trees in the background. Date on back of photograph is 14 August 1995.
Green canoe paddling behind gray canoe on Roanoke river with trees on left and right of river. Date on back of photograph is 14 August 1995.
Two women in green canoe paddling on Roanoke river with backs to camera. Date on back of photograph is 14 August 1995.
Gray canoe in the distance on the Roanoke river. Date on back of photograph 14 August 1995.
Man in hat standing next to horses smiling at camera. Blacksmith shop in background. Date on back of photograph is 14 August 1995.
Horses getting set up in front of carriage. Black Smith Shop in background. Individuals surrounding carriage watching scene. Date on the background is 14 August 1995.
Two horses walking adjacent to carriage on the left.. Trail in background. Date on back of photograph is 14 August 1995.
On the side of Houtz Barn, man is behind two horses pulling reins looking at camera. Date on back of photograph is 14 August 1995.
In front of the side of Houtz Barn, man is behind two horses in gear to pull carriage walking them to the left. Date on back of photograph is 14 August 1995.
People surround a table with hands on table looking at rocks on top of sheets (possibly sign up sheets) of paper. Woman on the right holding water bottle adjusting her glasses.
Two men in historical attire and hats. Man on the left is folding arms looking at man on right who is fiddling with musket. Date on back of photograph is 14 August 1995.
Trees with farm fields on hills in background. Date on back of photograph 28 July 1995.
Group of individuals in field looking at forest below. Mountains in background. On the left, two vehicles are parked. Date on back of photograph 28 July 1995.
Biker riding on road. On the left, man with camera watching biker. On the right, people in background are watching and cheering on racers alongside cones on the side. In middle, man holding “Stop/slow” sign with “Stop” side facing camera. Car is stopped behind sign.
Biker riding on road. On the left, two individuals walking dog. On the right, people in background are watching and cheering on racers. In middle, man holding “Stop/slow” sign with “Stop” side facing camera. Car is stopped behind sign.
Bikers emerging from forest trail with cones directing new path on road. On biker coming out of forest is walking bike. Man on the left watching race. People on right underneath trees watching race.
Bikers emerging from forest trail with cones directing new path on road. Man on the left watching race.
Taken behind tree branches from above looking down at trail with tents and people. Sign says “Pedros USA” with Roanoke River in background.
Bikers emerging from forest trail with orange cones directing new trail on road. On the left, people cheering them on with one individual holding a “Stop/slow” sign with “Slow” facing the camera. On the right man in with camera bag on side of trail.
Bikers crossing wooden bridge and one biker ahead on trail. People behind shrubbery on left cheering bikers on.
Biker with back to camera crossing wooden bridge in forest.
Four bikers on trail in motion. On left and right, individuals are cheering bikers on.
Close up of biker in glasses with other racers behind him in motion.
Bikers in race in motion taking off on trail.
Bikers in race taking off on trail with tents on right.
Front view of bikers in race lined up getting ready to take off. On right, tent in background.
Group of bikers in race with tent in background. Bikers stopped looking at something off camera.
Trees in front of Roanoke River. On the right in background, individual swimming in river.
Man in hat holding microphone underneath tent with sign outside tent that says “Jamis” People in background.
Tent on the right set up along trail. People walking on trail. Man in front of tent on right is looking off camera. On the left, people sit in chairs on the grass facing trail.
People surrounding picnic tables with materials on top of tables. Man on the left with back to camera holding bike.
Cars parked with individuals sitting or standing around vehicles. Bikes in vehicles or outside of vehicles. Some bikes are laying down.
Bikers standing next to their bikes speaking and smiling with one another in front of cars. On the right, adjusting bike on top of vehicle in background.
Wood structure that is open and has roof. Logs underneath wood covering. Forest in background.
Two men crouched down looking at miniature scale model of Sweat Lodge. Forest in background along with wood structures.
Two men crouched down around miniature scale model of Sweat Lodge. Dan Abbott on right is looking at man on the left who is holding yellow envelope and looking at model. Forest in background along with wood structures on the left
Two men crouched down looking at miniature scale model of Sweat Lodge. Man on right is Dan Abbott who is pointing to the model. Man on the left is holding yellow envelope and also pointing at scale model. Forest in background along with wood structures on the left.
Geese swimming in marsh with forest and wood fencing in the background.
Ducks and geese swimming in marsh in forest with wood fencing on right.
In Kemp’s Ford Schoolhouse, woman on the left in white shirt and khaki shorts speaking with two woman on the right. One in the middle in pink looking down at opened book in her hands. One standing farther to the right is wearing beige. In front of woman on the left, is a dresser with hand held bell on the left and candle on the right.
In Houtz Barn, two women in business attire on the left (one in beige and the other in pink) speaking with a woman on right in white shirt and khaki shorts. Behind them, two men in suit jackets looking at the ceiling.
At blacksmith shop, two woman (one in pink) on the left are speaking with Daniel Young.
In clearing with forest in the background, Man in historical attire facing woman in pink speaking to him. Men in suit jackets on the right watching interaction.
In clearing with forest in the background, Close up of man in historical attire next to woman in pink. Hide of animal is seen on the left behind the man. Smoke coming out of pit next to the man.
In clearing with forest in the background, man on left in historical attire is speaking to group of people in business attire. Next to him is a fire pit with smoke emerging. Flag is hanging in left hand corner. In the middle, a woman in pink is standing off from crowd listening to man in historical attire.
Brugh’s tavern before reconstruction. Sheeting of roof is pulled back, porch is destroyed. Windows are boarded up while exterior wood slats are damaged. Date on back of photograph is 25 May 1995. Writing on back of photo says “Brugh Tavern Bototourt Co.”
Rapids of Roanoke River. Date on back of photograph 30 May 1995.
At the Blacksmith shop, Daniel Young in historical attire on left speaking to man and woman. Man has walking stick, woman holding metal tool looking at blacksmith. Date on back of photograph 30 May 1995.
On the left, a woman looking down at the brochure. Man next to her on right in hat holding a walking stick in forest. Date on back of photograph 30 May 1995.
Curly Ennis standing holding two banjo-like instruments. Flat instrument laying on basket in front of man. Appears that he is inside a tent.
Curly Ennis sitting on stool with folk instruments surrounding him and songbook in front of him looking to the right. Flat instrument on his lap.
Curly Ennis sitting on stool with folk instruments surrounding him and looking down at songbook in front of him. Flat instrument on his lap. Possibly underneath covered pavilion.
Man in historical attire holding reins to horses on horse drawn carriage on trail smiling at camera.
Green horse drawn carriage on trail carrying group of people. Woman in visor and man in hat on raised seat
Trail nestled in forestry with horse drawn carriage emerging onto trail.
Group of people standing around men in khaki and rubber boots. Most of the crowd are holding cameras taking photos pointed towards the ground. Date on the back of photograph 08 May 1995.
Man in green hat with leg perched on hill speaking to group of people sitting down. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Shot from higher ground, a group of people in forest listening to man in green hat. Small puddle of water in middle of area. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Nikon camera on the left with bag of fish on the top right. Woman in background with binoculars. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Man in green hat and glasses smiling at camera with someone off camera holding bag of fish in front of man smiling. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Man on the left in green hat and red button up looking into viewfinder of camera taking a picture of girl on the right holding up a bag containing a fish. Group of people with backs to camera looking towards body of water in background. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Algae part of body of water with group of people on opposite side in background. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995
Body of water with group of people on opposite side. Forest in background. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Man in green hat holding clear, jelly like substance in one hand and net in the other. People barely in frame surround him. Body of water in background. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Group of people on the left looking at ground while a man in rubber thigh high gear and net in hand on the right faces them. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Man in hat and red shirt with backpack looking into viewfinder of camera facing the left. Algae part of body of water in background. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Algae part of water against shore backed up to forest. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
In forest group of people with back packs and hats are looking at man in khaki outfit and green hat looking towards the sky. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Individual on left walking along path against body of water. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Two men in khaki outfits and green hats are wearing backpacks talking to one another with lake in background. Man on left is looking down at clipboard. Man on right has back to camera. Two people with backs to camera standing on the left. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Two men in khaki outfits and green hats are wearing backpacks talking to one another with lake in background. Two people with backs to camera standing on the left. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Man on the right has arm extended towards group of people barely in frame on the left. Man in the middle is smiling looking at man on the right. Door to building open behind them. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Man looking at woman on the right both in vibrant tops. On the left, people are walking into the doorway of building. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Man in straw hat and checkered button up with tool in his hand looking down at anvil.
Two canoes along bank of river. On the left, a woman in hat and purple shorts is looking at woman in sunglasses stepping into green canoe. In the background, another individual is hunched over by silver canoe. Date on back of photograph is 14 August 1995.
Close up of group of people standing outside Blacksmith shop watching Daniel Young weld something. Sign on right says “Blacksmith and Wheelwright Shop” Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Groups of people standing outside Blacksmith and Wheelwright shop. Sign that says “Blacksmith and Wheelwright Shop” in front of building. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Children and woman smiling in front of horses. Boy in middle raising his hand looking off camera.
Green canoe in grass with Roanoke River and trees on opposite side in background. Date on back of photograph is 14 August 1995
Three children on the left looking at horses attached to raised seating with motorized wheels. Woman in striped shorts petting horses. Wray Barn in background.
Rear of horse drawn carriage being pulled by man leading horses and two men in carriage controlling reins. Houtz Barn in background. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Horses attached to a carriage. Man in Hat and striped shirt next to horses adjusting blinders. Two men seated in carriage pulling horses. Date on back of photograph is 08 May 1995.
Horse drawn carriage with man in striped shirt and hat walking away from carriage.
Man in red ball cap, back towards camera speaking to a group of bikers in race.
Man in white button up and glasses looking down at notepad taking notes. Man on the right in green cap is speaking to man taking notes. Behind them is a banner that reads “Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway” Two individuals behind them seated talking to one another. Date on back of photograph is 24 April 1995.
Van that says “10 News” on back with rear window popped open. Sign that says “Site of future regional information center” with group of people at tent behind sign. Date on back of photograph is 24 April 1995.
Tent with tables set up. Boxes underneath tables and individuals seated behind tables. On the left, group of people are chatting. On the right, a sign that says “Explore Park Forestry Education Area.” Date on back of photograph is 24 April 1995.
Musicians with instruments under covering with speakers on the side. Woman in purple speaks to woman in hat and blue romper. On the left in background is an event with a sign that’s unreadable in distance. On the left is an arrangement of tables covered in red and yellow with individuals seated behind tables. Date on back of photograph is 24 April 1995.
On the left, tables with local products. Sign that says “Products in harmony with nature and good health… since 1956” White van with blue streak in background. On the right, a blue tent staked to ground containing lawn chairs. Date on back of photograph is 24 April 1995.
White van with blue streak along middle on gravel road approaching crowds of people near picnic tables behind trees. Sign on the left reads “Welcome to Earth Day”
On the left, a car is departing with a car approaching or possibly parked on side of road. On the right a sign that says “Welcome to Earth Day” and another sign that says “To ensure the safety of our livestock and historic buildings Pets and Smoking prohibited.” “admission charges…” rest of sign is covered by tree or in print too small to read from camera’s distance. Date on back of photograph is 24 April 1995.
Ticket booth with woman smiling at camera from window with basket in hand and brochures next to her. Golf cart on the right in background. Date on back of photograph is 24 April 1995
Bikers with backs facing camera in race. Dust from trail surrounds crowd. Two individuals standing to the left on grass watch as racers depart.
Ticket booth in middle of road with red vehicle parked on the left. Two individuals walking towards booth with attendant leaning over window to greet them. Car driving off and car approaching in background. On the right of picture is a sign that says “Welcome to Earth Day” Date on back of photograph is 24 April 1995.
Two individuals loading into white Ford Van with Blue streak across middle. Man in ball cap and red vest assisting loading process. Mountains and other vehicles in background. Date on back of photograph is 24 April 1995.
Fence surrounding road. Red sedan stopped while passengers speak with woman on outside of the passenger window in red vest. Date on back of photograph is 24 April 1995
Men in business attire walking away from Hofauger House and Wray Barn. Rupert Cutler on left with man in lighter suit on the right holding yellow envelope.
Road leading to Explore Park with Parking lot full of cars past field in background. Sign on the right says “Explore Park 1 mile” “General Admission: Adults $4.00 Students $2.50 No pets allowed” “Information” date on back of photograph is 24 April 1995
From left to right: children petting horse, woman in striped shorts and windbreaker jacket holding child’s jacket petting mane of horse.
Pen behind Wray Barn full of hay with fencing in background.
Group of people with yellow envelopes. Man on far left is Rupert Cutler. Next to him is Eddie Goode in historical attire. Behind them is a group of people looking at wall of Wray Barn.
Man on right in suit jacket standing outside of fence in front of sign that says “Hofauger Farmstead” Inside fence are two individuals looking at Hofauger House in background.
Horse drawn carriage with two individuals seated inside pulling horses. Houtz Barn in the background with some individuals roaming premises.
Group of children in historical attire holding sticks looking at boy in the middle with arms out. Kemps Ford School House is in background with two individuals chatting in doorway.
Rupert Cutler at podium with map leaning against podium. On the left, Dan Abbott with back facing camera walking away from picnic table with Native American traditional items/replicas
Rupert Cutler at podium with map leaning against podium. On the left, Dan Abbott in Native American attire next to a picnic table with Native American traditional items/replicas.
Side view of Rupert Cutler speaking and pointing to his right.
Ticket booth/ entrance to park. Red car on the left is parked. On the right, two individuals are speaking with booth attendant. Sign on book says “Tickets: Park Visitors Enter Here” Date on back of photograph is 24 April 1995
Damaged, abandoned building with two vehicles on the right and a for sale sign in front of building. Date on back of photograph is 19 April 1995
Damaged, abandoned building with Posted sign on door. Date on the back of photograph is 19 April 1995
Woman in red coat holding board up facing individuals surrounded at a picnic table. Houtz Barn in background. Date on the back of photograph is 18 April 1995.
On the left a man in glasses stands at podium with map in front of podium. On the right, a man in a hat is holding up two large maps of Explore Park.
Kimberly Burnette in historical attire is at spinning wheel sitting on bench on porch of Haufauger House. To the left of her is an array of yarn. To the right, a man in tie is looking down watching the scene with a woman on the far right doing the same. Date on the back of photograph is 18 April 1995 .
16 May 1951 at High St. Church; Booker T. Washington Trade School Graduation Man giving a speech in a graduation robe. There are two men and a woman sitting in the background; Sidney J. Phillips is the man sitting next to the woman.
Gainsboro Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries
16 May 1951 at High St. Church; Booker T. Washington Trade School Graduation Man giving a speech in graduation attire. There are two men (Sidney J. Phillips to far left) and a woman sitting in the background.
16 May 1951 at High St. Church; Booker T. Washington Trade School Graduation Graduate (man) shaking hands with president, Sidney J. Phillips, in graduation attire. Other graduates in the background walking across the stage. Woman not in graduation attire looking through diplomas.
16 May 1951 at High St. Church; Booker T. Washington Trade School Graduation Graduate (man) shaking hands with president, Sidney J. Phillips, in graduation attire. Woman not in graduation clothes hands diploma to man.
16 May 1951 at High St. Church; Booker T. Washington Trade School Graduation Graduate (woman) shaking hands with other woman on stage. Graduate is wearing white. Graduate passed man in graduation robe and cap.
16 May 1951 at High St. Church; Booker T. Washington Trade School Graduation Graduate (man) leaving the stage after shaking hands with two people. Woman on the left, man on the right; man is wearing graduation robe and cap.
Facing towards Houtz Barn is a group of individuals, some in business attire seated at or standing around picnic table, those in casual wear standing to the right with yellow folders in hand. Some people are entering the Barn. Dan Abbott in Native American attire is approaching the barn and groups of people. Date on the back of photograph is 18 April 1995
Dan Abbott in Native American garb speaking to a group of individuals seated at a picnic table in suits. Woman in red in the background is carrying an umbrella. Woman on the left in the background is in jeans listening to Abbott. To the right of the Abbott, is a musket and podium. Wray Barn is in the background. Date on the back of photograph is 18 April 1995.
Man in gray jumpsuit and sunglasses looking up at opened barn doors of building (possibly Houtz Barn).
Two men crouched down over a blanket spread with various weapons and spear points. Man on the left is touching a bat-like weapon with pen and paper underneath him, while Dan Abbott is on the right is holding the object.
Native American weapon (similar to design of hammer) with feathers and leather bag on blanket underneath weapon.
Bowl of incense with feathers coming out of leather wrap perched on log.
Native American accessory attached to stick over fire with smoke ascending.
Woven basket and ceramic pots/vases in background. Animal hide blanket in background with logs and woven basket.
On a blanket is a bowel with sticks and wool in background, animal hide with spear on top of it, on the right is a red cloth with cat like object on top of cloth.
Native American traditional accessories hanging in trees.
Native American traditional costume piece hanging on stick running from tree.
Native American traditional attire headdress in a tree.
Two men on left in Native American traditional garb speaking to an man, a girl in a ballcap, and boy in a ballcap on the right.
Red vehicle with opened truck in front of administrative buildings on right. Another trailer on the left with United Van Lines truck in front of building. Individual walking onto ramp carrying something towards trailers.
Graveled road leading to double wide trailer with red vehicle, bobcat machine, and United Van Lines truck in background.
United Van lines truck on right with double wide trailer in middle. Woman standing in front of building. Bobcat machine on the left next to red vehicle. Gravel in the front of scene.
Sign that says “Virginia’s Explore Park” with hay and pumpkin decor underneath sign.
Man in straw hat and fishing vest standing outside canoe along banks of Roanoke River smiling past camera holding what he caught on the right and two bottles on the left.
Roanoke River with sky reflecting on water. Mountains in the background with summer trees lining the river.
Man in white shirt and green cap casting his fishing line to the right. Roanoke River and bridge connecting the road in background.
Man in green cap is holding fish in left hand, turning around smiling at camera with fishing line in right hand. On the Roanoke River.
Man in green cap is casting his line while sitting in canoe along Roanoke River.
Man in straw hat and fishing vest is sitting in canoe smiling at camera while holding bottle in one hand, other hand out. Roanoke River in background.
On the right, man in green cap is reeling in fishing line that is cast to the left. In the background, man in fishing vest on board silver canoe is looking back at man in green cap while his line is cast in front of him on the Roanoke River.
Man in green cap with canoe in marsh next to him. He is fishing in shallow part of Roanoke River. Man in background casting his line to the right.
Rapid current of Roanoke River with mountains and trees in the background. Trees are golden color suggesting late summer/early fall.
Man in green cap standing in shallow part of Roanoke River fishing on the right of picture. Green canoe on the left is lodged in the marsh.
Roanoke River with mountains in the background covered by green trees.
Man in green cap fishing to the left of canoe on the Roanoke river.
On the Roanoke River: Man in green cap looking to the right. Man in separate canoe on the left adjusting something.
Man with green ballcap and sunglasses paddling on Roanoke river. Man in another canoe on the right in the distance.
Canoes on bank of Roanoke River with man in fishing attire on left of picture.
Canoe on bank of Roanoke River with the river in the background.
Man in red coat and hat with unreadable logo on it is smiling at camera with orchard behind him.
Man in white shirt walking down dirt road that has been dug up. Man on left in overalls with dug up trees to the left. Date on back of photograph is 15 April 1994
Group of teenagers and children raking dirt path in forested area. Date on back of photograph is 05 April 1993.
Two men operating cameras directed at man at podium on porch of Houtz Barn. Date on back of photograph is July 1994.
Group of children standing in front of man in white shirt with the log cabin part of Hofauger Farmstead in background. Date on back of photograph is 12 August 1994.
In clearing of forest a man in red shirt, jeans, and hat is pointing past camera with group of people dressed in business attire listening to him.
Children surrounding two women huddled around scarecrow. Possibly building scarecrow in this photo. Boy in background leaning against T shaped sticks meant to hold scarecrow. Date on back of photograph is 28 June 1993.
Crowd of people looking towards podium on porch of Houtz Barn.
Man holding bird with gloved hand speaking to a group of children. Date on the back of photograph is 29 October 1991
Two men in Native American attire. Man in front is wearing lighter colors while man in back is in darker attire.
Man in hat and historical attire passing a banjo to the child to his right. Group of children in matching blue shirts are sitting in a circle watching the scene.
Two individuals working on a project with blanket and wooden pieces surrounding them (possibly a totem pole) Date on back of photograph is 28 June 1993.
Woman in historical attire standing next to Dan Abbott in Native American traditional garb. They are looking at a group of children seated looking off camera. Leaves on ground suggest it is shortly after fall season.
Man in suit speaking with woman in white lab coat. Students in background looking at foundation of Wray Barn. Date on back of photograph is 23 November 1992. Writing on back says “Students at Wray Barn 1850 Franklin Co; in process of being rebuilt.”
Construction of Wray Barn with Hofauger House in background. Group of people with backs to camera on right side of picture. Date on the back of photograph is 04 December 1992. Writing on back says “by Rupert Cutler” with typed message taped on back that reads, “Exploring History: Curley Ennis, Pole and Trafidlo, Dobyns and Merritt and the North Cross Half Notes provide the music while preservationists, a construction crew and members of the Roanoke Jaycees set to work in an old-fashioned barn-raising at Explore on Saturday (see Going Somewhere, Page 1). Also included in this fund-raiser: craft sales and demonstrations, Christmas tree sales, bonfire, hay rides, historic re-en-actments and Brunswick stew dinner. 345-1295.”
Man in blue polo on left of photo is holding up a map (possibly of the park) and speaking to a group of people. In the background are individuals with binoculars looking at speaker. Date on back of photograph is 09 September 1991.
Construction of underground section of building. Date on the back of photograph is 26 May 1994.
Woman and man looking at beams in the ceiling. Woman on the left holding a notepad. Man on the right pointing above them. Date on back of photograph is 12 August 1994
Man in sunglasses and plaid button up standing in front of Houtz Barn. Crowds of people are watching an event happening on the porch of Barn in the background. Date on back on photograph is July 1994
Man on right in plaid button up pointing with both hands to the right of photograph. Trees on right have been cut down. Date on back of photograph is 09 July 1993
Trees in forest cut down. Man in middle of photograph on machine pushing felled trees into pile. Date on back of photograph is 05 July 1993
Trees in the forest cut down with smoke ascending from pile of logs on the right. Man on right in machine pushing fallen trees into pile. Date on back of photograph is 05 July 1993
Trail in forest. Signs on right are unreadable.
Signs along forested trail. Sign on the left says “Crystal palace” Sign on the right is blocked by tree.
Trail in forest with two signs on the left. Closest says “ Tinsmith”, second is unreadable.
Man on right with back to camera walking along icy path. Date on back of photograph is 08 February 1993
Trees with no leaves. Date on back of photograph is 08 April 1991.
People in winter coats standing outside Nissan Truck hauling christmas trees. Date on back of photograph is 05 December 1992.
Houtz Barn under construction with machine on the right. Date on back of photograph is 28 April 1994.
Three men sawing tree branch in historical attire. Date on back of photograph is 28 June 1993.
Group of people underneath attached part of Wray Barn Date on back of photograph is 23 June 1993.
Side profile of Wray Barn with snow on roof and on the ground. Date on back of photograph is 08 February 1993.
Wray Barn with snow on the ground. Date on back of photograph is 08 February 1993.
Small log building with covering on left side. Date on back of photograph is July 1994.
Wray Barn. Date on back of photograph is 12 August 1994.
Dirt dug out underground with building (possibly Houtz Barn) under construction in the background. Date on back of photograph is 17 May 1994.
Crowds of people walking past Wray Barn. Date on back of photograph is 12 August 1994.
Man in hat and striped button up pointing to the left. Groups of individuals listening to him and looking towards the direction he is pointing. Date on back of photograph is 23 June 1993
Groups of people walking along trail leading into forest. Date on back of photograph is 12 August 1994.
Garden plots behind Hofauger House. four men in frame with backs to camera. Date on back of photograph is 11 May 1993
Side profile of Hofauger House with brick chimney.
Hofauger House in winter time with snow on the ground. Date on back of photograph is 08 February 1993
Land with Brugh’s Tavern on left and silos in background. Snow on the ground. Date on back of photograph is 04 February 1993
Land with farm homes (Brugh’s Tavern on left) and silos in the background. Cows grazing.
Damaged beams supporting roof in attic. Date on back of photograph is 06 September 1994.
Beams supporting roof. Nails exposed and damaged boards on roof. Date on back of photograph is 06 September 1994
Support beams on the ceiling. Date on back of photograph is 06 September 1994
Damaged/old wood panelling. Date on back of photograph is 06 September 1994
Brick behind wood posts. Date on back of photograph is 06 September 1994
Narrow staircase leading down to unidentified place. Date on back of photograph is 06 September 1994
Three individuals looking in damaged Brugh’s Tavern with flashlights. Woman on left is looking at ceiling, man in the middle is looking at wall, man on the right is looking inside a room. Date on the back of photograph is 06 September 1994
Woman on left looking past doorway of worn down Brugh’s Tavern. Fireplace on right is boarded up. Date on the back of photograph is 06 September 1994
Brugh’s Tavern before reconstruction. Date on the back of photograph is 06 September 1994
Trees covered in snow with Roanoke river in the background. Snow on the ground.
Roanoke river with forest surrounding all sides. Date on back of photograph is 13 September 1994
Trees with Roanoke River in background. Date on back of photograph is 13 September 1994
Three children sitting on a tall fence of wood posing with Dan Abbott in Native American garb. Date on back of photograph is 22 April 1996
Children watching Scott Sarver in historical attire reload a musket. Date on back of photograph is 22 April 1996
Interior of Mountain Union Church building with podium and pews in frame. Date on the back of photograph is 06 May 1998
Sign that “Mountain Union Church Circa 1880 Congregation Est. 1882” With church in background. Date on back of photograph is 06 May 1998
Man in top hat smiling at camera, individuals in historical attire speaking with individuals in normal attire. Welcome Center in background, sign that says “Arthur Taubman Welcome Center” Date on back of photograph is 06 May 1998
Sign with Elk that says “ Explore Park’s Blue Ridge Settlement Exhibit: You are about to embark on a journey. Like the Indians frontiersmen, and early settlers who preceded you, your path will lead through a wilderness abundant in life-sustaining resources such as timber, water, wildlife and valuable ores. The historic structures you will encounter, once threatened on their original sites by decay or development but here preserved for future generations, represent the lives of those English, German, and Scots-Irish settlers who chose Southwest Virginia as home in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is, however, only one chapter in a continuing story, as these homes were but stepping stones along a migratory trail that pushed the American frontier farther and farther west with each new generation.”
Sign that says: “An American Farm Family: In the spring of 1829, 21-year-old Samuel Hofauger married Elizabeth Hays. He was German by descent and a farmer. She was the daughter of an English family on Back Creek in what is now Roanoke Country. Together they built this log house on the road between Big Lick and the Cave Spring (now Colonial Avenue) in what is now Roanoke County. Their descendants became part of a new generation that proudly called themselves American.”
Group of people in front of Wray Barn chatting with one another. Date on back of photograph is July 1994
Children in historical attire (girls in bonnets) standing at porch of Houtz Barn with Patriotic banners along railing. Date on back of photograph is 06 July 1994
Kemp’s Ford School House with sign that says “Kemp’s Ford School” Map attached to sign. Date on back of photograph is 12 August 1994
Lake with wooden posts in front of water.
Women in historical attire standing in front of Kemp’s Ford School House. Two women on left are leaning against a tree.
Group of people walking away from Houtz Barn with carriage in front of building.
Trail leading to Houtz Barn with carriage in front and wooden stakes on the right.
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use
Daniel Young in overalls and hat tending to fire on outdoor traditional grill.
Daniel Young to a group of children and parents.
Men in overalls and hats working on constructing a building. Man on left is working at logs, man on right is at support beams.
Dan Abbott in traditional Native American attire with women in similar attire behind him. Animal hides are on logs behind man.
Underneath administrative building supported by concrete bricks. Date on back of photograph is 06 September 1994.
Inside of one side of administrative buildings before completion. Date on back of photograph is 06 September 1994
Administrative buildings. Date on back of photograph is 06 September 1994
Administrative buildings with truck in background. Date on back of photograph is 06 September 1994.
Semi-Truck hauling trailers (administrative buildings) in clearing. Date on back of photograph is 06 September 1994.
Red Chevrolet in clearing with green semi truck hauling trailer homes.
Rupert Cutler and two girls posing in front of Sweat Lodge.
Rupert Cutler sitting on log posing with two girls in front of wooden enclosure with gate open.
Man in hat firing shotgun within wooden enclosure.
On the left: two girls and Rupert Cutler watching Kimberly Burnette on right. Woman on right is standing at a table in historical attire inside Hofauger House.
Explore Park. Two girls posing with Rupert Cutler in polo and hat in front of Hofauger House.
Explore Park. Two girls sitting on bench in school house with Rupert Cutler in vibrant polo behind them smiling for camera.
Explore Park. Children posed in front of tree with Roanoke River in background. Boys in matching outfits with girl in purple outfit in the middle with arms around the boys.
Explore Park. Man and woman in historical attire underneath canopy of log building part of Hofauger Farmstead.
Explore Park. Woman on the right in historical attire is crouched down in doorway of Kemp’s Ford Schoolhouse looking at ground. Girl on the left in purple shirt and shorts and red sneakers. Man in background in ball cap and pink polo.
Explore Park. Sheriff with “Police: Virginia’s Explore Park” on arm facing camera.
Explore Park. Construction site of Houtz Barn. Man carrying ladder in background.
Explore Park. Man in jacket and beanie pointing to stone of early construction of Houtz Barn looking to the left off-camera.
Explore Park. Musician on left on Hofauger House porch surrounded by instruments. Woman on right sitting on the porch watching musician.
Explore Park. Chickens in front of fence with Wray Barn in background. Date on back of photograph is 24 May 1994
Explore Park. People leaning against fence of the Wray Barn. Date on back of photograph is 09 August 1994
Explore Park. People going in and out of Wray Barn. Date on back of photograph is 09 August 1994
Explore Park. Firepit surrounded by stones with Sweat Lodge in the background. Date on back of photograph is 11 February 1992
Explore Park. Houtz Barn under construction. Date on back of photograph is 31 May 1994
Explore Park. Individuals watching two men clean off hooves of horse. From left to right: Man in hat and overalls watching, boy in yellow outfit looking at camera, two men helping clean hooves. Date on the back of photograph is 09 August 1994.
Explore Park. Trail along a fence with Wray Barn and Hofauger House in the background of forest clearing. Date on the back of photograph is 09 August 1994
Explore Park. Wooden fence with clearing in front of Wray Barn and Hofauger House. Date on back of the photograph is 09 August 1994.
Explore Park. Group of people unloading off of green horse-drawn carriage. Date on back of photograph is 06 July 1994.
Explore Park. Individuals surrounding horse, crowds of people watching an event taking place on the porch of Arthur Taubman Welcome Center in the background. Virginia is for Lovers hot air balloon on right of the photograph. Date on back of photograph is 06 May 1998
Explore Park. Six men are lined up in the middle amongst a crowd of viewers. From left to right, three men in normal attire, one man in Native American traditional attire, man in normal attire, man in Native American traditional attire. Date on back is 27 July 1994.
Explore Park. Child in Native American garb is looking at the camera with a bow and arrow in hand. Children behind him are also participating in archery. Crowds of people past a tent are watching a different event. Date on back of photograph is 27 July 1994.
Explore Park. Banner that says “2nd annual monacan indian powwow.” with coca cola logo on banner. Crowds of people walking behind the sign. Date on the back of photograph is 27 July 1994.
Explore Park. Three individuals posing for a picture around sign that says “Historic Brugh Tavern Restaurant. Circa 1800”. From left to right: woman wearing red blouse and skirt. Woman standing directly behind sign, Rupert Cutler in blue button up and slacks with elbow on sign.
Explore Park. Group of individuals and children lined along a bench listening to the speaker on the right.
Explore Park. Woman on the right in historical attire is in doorway of Kemp’s Ford Schoolhouse crouched down speaking to girl on the left in purple shirt and shorts and red sneakers.
Explore Park. On the right a woman in historical attire is standing in doorway of Kemp’s Ford Schoolhouse pointing in front of her. A group of children are looking at her with a woman in the background holding a camera and a man to the right looking at a child in the middle that is holding a hoop.
Explore Park. Original Brugh’s Tavern before reconstruction. Exterior is damaged and windows are boarded up. Date on back of photograph is 06 September 1994
Explore Park. Carriage ride of several young children and two adults in the background.
Explore Park. Carriage full of people being pulled by horses along a dirt trail. Hofauger House and Wray Barn in background.
Explore Park. People singing around a piano. Books on shelves on the wall behind them. From left to right: man playing an instrument, woman singing along, man playing instrument, women singing along, woman playing at piano, man in santa hat singing along, woman seated singing along, woman seated singing along.
Explore Park. Individuals at piano. From left to right: woman leaning head on the shoulder of the woman to the right who is smiling, man in santa hat singing, woman sitting down singing, man playing trombone, women in red playing at piano.
Please contact the Virginia at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Explore Park. Man on the left in historical attire speaking to a group of people sitting on the porch of Hofauger House. Date on back of photograph is 16 November 1993.
Explore Park. Construction site of Houtz Barn with unfinished stone siding and exposed wooden beams.
Explore Park. Construction site of Houtz Barn with dirt dug up in front of building, stone siding being put in, and wooden beams exposed.
Explore Park. Construction site of Houtz Barn underground with dug up dirt on the left and a machine and worker on the right.
Explore Park. Man on the left in plaid button-up looking at a small hut made of branches with large fabric pulled back on top of it.
Explore Park. Man cleaning hoof of horse, man on the right watching. Another horse is in the background on the left.
Explore Park. Early construction phase of Houtz Barn. Logs on the left hand side, and construction equipment on the right.
Explore Park. Man fishing in the Roanoke River. Canoe backed into marsh not far from fisherman.
Explore Park. Wray Barn and Hofauger House in the distance with paved trails leading up to them. Wooden fencing surrounding the buildings and trail.
Explore Park. Houtz Barn with wood fencing surrounding it. Pile of chopped logs in front of the building.
Explore Park. Man speaking outside of a tent pavilion next to the American Flag. Groups of people are outside of a roped fence watching something within the fencing beyond the photograph. Some individuals are carrying umbrellas. Date on the back of photograph is 27 July 1994
Explore Park. Crowds of people surrounding mud/dirt pit on lawn chairs. Three individuals are walking away from the scene with umbrellas. Date on the back of photograph is 27 July 1994.
Explore Park. Crowd of people in a clearing with tents and chairs surrounding a patch of mud/dirt. Orange and white van in background on hill. Date on the back of photograph is 27 July 1994.
Explore Park. Two individuals chatting with a man in historical attire in front of Wray Barn. Date on back of photograph is July 1994
Explore Park. Two individuals on carriage ride with an individual driving the horses. Group of people in conversation in the background. Smoke in background-possibly from a campfire. Date on back of photograph is 06 July 1994.
Explore Park. Two geese in a pen. One to the left is standing, the one to the right is curled up on the ground. Date on the back of photograph is 06 July 1994.
Explore Park. Individuals on carriage being pulled by two horses, led by a man in white button up. Man sitting on a chair in the right corner of the photograph with a plaid button up and ballcap. Date on back of photograph is July 1994.
Explore Park. Individuals being served at Brugh Tavern Restaurant. From left to right: Waitress pouring drink, woman looking at camera, woman looking at menu, man looking at menu. Date on the back of the photograph is 11 May 1998.
Explore Park. Five individuals posing for picture. In the background is Wray Barn on the right and Hofauger House on the left. From left to right: man in striped button up and suit jacket, man in navy polo and khaki slacks, woman in white button up and khaki skirt with black fanny pack around her waist. Man with khaki button up and khaki shorts, woman with red shirt and suit jacket.
Explore Park. Close up of rooster in window of Wray Barn.
Explore Park. Zoomed out shot of rooster in window of Wray Barn.
Explore Park. Group of people clustered around the fence of Wray Barn. Construction machines on the front left of the photograph.
Explore Park. Man in hat and overalls cutting down log with a small ax.
Sign that says “Virginia’s Explore Park”
Explore Park. Side view of unfinished Houtz Barn. Dirt on the side is piled up, Roofing is in the process of being put down, construction materials for building are to the left of picture.
Explore Park. Houtz Barn under construction. Roofing is being put down, front exterior of building is unfinished, with bricks and wooden slats in front of the building.
Explore Park. Construction worker on a machine planted to the ground. Worker is looking towards a forest of trees. A path between trees has been carved out.
Explore Park. Wooden posts and concrete bricks laid on ground. Shed in background opened. Two men on the left working on something. Another individual in white shirt with their back to the camera is also at work.
Explore Park. Construction vehicles on road and on side of road. Road closure sign and construction cones blocking the road ahead.
Road sign directing to Explore Park (1 mile to the left) and Roanoke (4 miles to the right). Farming land behind the signage.
Explore Park. Children in historical attire are at the front of room in Kemp’s Ford Schoolhouse putting on a presentation or play. Viewers in frame are seated at wooden benches with chalk boards on the bench in front of them. Date on the back of the photograph is 06 July 1994.
Explore Park. Woman speaking at a podium in front of a wooden building. A woman in bonnet and pioneer attire is standing next to her on the left.
Explore Park. Two men in suit coats and slacks shaking hands in front of Wray Barn. Man on the left is looking at Rupert Cutler on the right. Cutler is looking at the camera.
Explore Park. Two children running in front of Kemp’s Ford School House surrounded by trees. Three women clustered around a tree in conversation. One is leaning on the tree. Each individual is in historical dress.
Explore Park. Three men in front of a work truck looking at something outside of the photograph to their right. From left to right: man in Explore hat and work gloves, man in windbreaker, man in striped button up, fedora, and blue jacket.
Explore Park. Black and white photograph of camera crew capturing Rupert Cutler at podium. Cutler is looking at three individuals on the left. From left to right: Man in a suit, individual in historical wear, and woman with glasses in blouse and skirt.
Bridge leading up to Explore Park. Date on back of photograph is 11 May 1998
Explore Park. Man plowing a trail of snow with a tractor.
Explore Park. Rupert Cutler delivering an address at a podium in front of Kemp’s Ford Schoolhouse before it was renovated. Photograph is in black and white.
Explore Park. Two men in conversation with a man in the background of the photo. Man to the left is wearing a suit jacket and tie, the man in the background is wearing work attire, and the man to the right is in a striped button up and a fedora hat.
Lakeside Amusement Park. The Wildcat roller coaster was replaced by the Shooting Star in 1968.
The Roanoke Valley in the 1950s
For permission to use, please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073.
The Colony House Motor Lodge is located at 3560 Franklin Road.
The Roanoke Drag Strip at Starkey Speedway. The dragstrip opened in June 1958
Construction of the Sherwood Burial Park amphitheater.
The 2,000-seat amphitheater in Sherwood Burial Park.
Kroger formerly located at the corner of 9th Street and Bullitt Avenue SE.
Participants in Vacation Bible School at Belmont Baptist Church.
A view of Campbell Avenue looking west from Williamson Road.
Roy and June Holcomb (center right) and the employees of State Office Supply. The Holcombs were the owners of the store located at 511 S. Jefferson Street.
B.E. Conner Market was located at 3676 Colonial Avenue SW. It was owned and operated by Bob Conner.
Judy Holladay was crowned as Salem's Sesquicentennial Queen.
Participants in Vacation Bible School at Melrose Baptist Church. 390 children were enrolled.
Bart Galbraith is in the shop of his Virginia Armature Company at 314 Salem Avenue SW.
The Roanoke Valley in the 1950s.
Davidson's Esso was located at the intersection of Williamson Road and Peters Creek Road. The station was owned by C.R. Davidson.
A Guide to the Sigma Tau Delta Collection
The collection documents the activities of the Sigma Tau Delta Sorority from 1940 through 1983 and includes a significant number of photographs of club members and events. It consists of the contents of eight traditional scrapbooks and one “magnetic” photo album. Scrapbooks include information about the sorority, including constitution and by-laws, lists of officers, and a few membership lists. Newspaper clippings about the club document its activities and officers, as well as information about members. The scrapbooks also contain correspondence received by the sorority, including numerous thank you notes from members regarding gifts and from organizations the club donated to, as well as marriage, birth, graduation, and death announcements. Of special interest are letters in scrapbooks that document members’ lives during WWII, when several relocated with their husbands to military bases, and one member’s experience in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). While all scrapbooks contain numerous photographs, later scrapbooks have more photographs and less ephemera. Many, but not all, of the people in photographs are identified. Photographs of the sorority’s parties also document the interiors of a variety of venues in the Roanoke region, as well as members’ homes. The 1953-56 Scrapbook includes over thirty pictures of the interior and the residents of Hobday Cottage, Virginia Baptist Children’s Home, Salem, VA, taken from 1953-55 when the sorority sponsored activities and improvements for the young women living there. Digital versions were created of all scrapbooks. Items that could be removed from scrapbooks without damage were placed in folders, including both paper and photographic items. However, most scrapbooks included pages that could not be disassembled; these have been retained within the scrapbook covers. All items were removed from the “magnetic” photo album.
No known restrictions. Virginia Room copy fees apply.
A Guide to the 1967 Roanoke River Water Quality Standards Collection
The collection includes: correspondence with agencies and elected officials; newspaper articles; background information on water quality; and the public hearing record from the May 16, 1967 event.
Smithy & Boynton, Architects & Engineers Scrapbook
The collection consists of one scrapbook that documents the activities of the firm, its leaders, and its employees from 1980 through 1992. It includes ephemera and newspaper articles related to projects the firm was involved in designing or engineering. A digital version of the scrapbook was created and should be primarily consulted by researchers.
A Guide to the Mary Ellen Campagna Manuscript Collection
This is a guide to the Mary Ellen Campagna Manuscript Collection. The materials are largely related to her research into urban renewal in Gainsboro and the articles that she published. Her largest areas of interests are the Dumas Center and Henry Street.
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2540 for permission to use.
Employees stand inside the Elkhorn Tunnel during construction. The 7,100 foot tunnel opened to rail traffic in June 1950, replacing a single-track tunnel constructed in 1887.
Construction of the Elkhorn Tunnel in Mercer County, West Virginia. The 7,100 foot tunnel opened to rail traffic in June 1950, replacing a single-track tunnel constructed in 1887.
Employees of Haley, Chisolm, and Morris pose next to company trucks. The company was contracted by Norfolk & Western to build the Elkhorn Tunnel.
Two workers stand inside the Elkhorn Tunnel during construction in Mercer County, West Virginia. The 7,100 foot tunnel opened to rail traffic in June 1950, replacing a single-track tunnel constructed in 1887.
Home located at 2524 Cornwallis Avenue SE.
The second Lucy Addison High School was built in 1951. Located at 1220 5th Street NW, the high school was in operation until 1973. The building now houses Lucy Addison Middle School.
A new YMCA building was completed in 1958 at 425 Church Avenue SW.
The Main Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries, located at 706 S, Jefferson Street.
A crowd gathers for the dedication of the new terminal at Woodrum Field.
The Norfolk & Western Passenger Station is located at 101 Shenandoah Avenue NE. The building now houses the Visit Blue Ridge Visitor's Center, O. Winston Link Museum, and History Museum of Western Virginia.
The Times-World building was home to Roanoke's two newspapers and the CBS affiliate, WDBJ radio and television.
Shenandoah Life was affiliated with WSLS radio and TV services. The building is located at 401 3rd Street.
Two 500 space parking garages were constructed on the corner of Bullitt Avenue and Jefferson Street to provide greater accessibility to downtown shopping facilities.
Heironimus was located at 401 S. Jefferson Street.
Crowds gather for the grand opening of the new Miller & Rhoads. The department store was located at 32-38 Campbell Avenue SW.
Sears Town, formerly located at 1502 Williamson Road NE.
A newly constructed First Federal Savings and Loan. The building is located on the corner of Church Avenue and 1st Street.
Shenandoah Life Insurance Company, formerly located at 2301 Brambleton Avenue.
Rowe Furniture Company was located at 239 Rowan Street in Salem before moving to Elliston.
Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company. Located at 1242 S. Colorado Street, the building is now used by Graham-White.
ITT Exelis is located at 7635 Plantation Road.
General Electric, located at 1531 Roanoke Boulevard in Salem.
The former general office building of Norfolk and Western, located at 108 N. Jefferson Street, now houses the Roanoke Higher Education Center.
Panoramic view of Roanoke from Mill Mountain.
Sign for Roanoke Metropolitan Area noting population as 160,0000.
A Guide to the Rubinette Miller Niemann Collection
The collection includes memorabilia amassed by Miller while she was working as the County Home Demonstration Agent. It includes: Home Demonstration Club Yearbooks from 1961 through 1964; photographs of Home Demonstration, 4-H, and other Extension events and staff from the 1959-63 period; and newspaper clippings, featuring Home Demonstration Club activities and Miller’s achievements; and a scrapbook created by club members for Miller, documenting her time as Home Demonstration Agent, and given to her in 1964, which also contains numerous photographs. A digital copy was created of the scrapbook.
A Guide to the Mill Mountain Theatre Collection
The collection consists primarily of performance programs from the 1965 through 1997-1998 seasons; only in a very few instances are the playbills of all the season’s performances included. Some programs contain histories of the Mill Mountain Playhouse/Mill Mountain Theatre. For example, 1968 provides a 5-year retrospective, there is a timeline history in the 1982 program, and the 1988-89 Silver Anniversary Season playbills include photographs of prior productions. Some playbills list the entire season’s performance schedule. Season brochures are available for a number of years.
A Guide to the Grandin Court Elementary School PTA Collection
The collection consists of meeting minutes (1951 through 1963-64) and scrapbooks (1951 through 1989-90) of the Grandin Court PTA. Box 1 contains handwritten minutes of the Grandin Court PTA from its founding in February 1951 through the 1963-64 school year, as well as some financial records from the 1957-58 through 1960-61 school years. The collection also consists of the contents of eleven scrapbooks, dating from 1951 through 1990. Ten scrapbooks document the activities of the Grandin Court PTA; one scrapbook, from 1951, memorializes the first semester and first sixth-grade class at the school. For preservation purposes, digital files were created of each scrapbook, and most scrapbooks were disassembled and their contents, including photographs, placed in folders in Box 2. However, three scrapbooks could not be disassembled without damaging materials. PTA Scrapbooks include a wide variety of information, which varies by year, but generally includes the following: information about PTA leadership and budgets; PTA newsletters and informational flyers about fundraising and other activities; newspaper clippings about Grandin School and its students and teachers and Roanoke City Schools; programs from school events; information distributed by Roanoke City Schools; information from Grandin School staff; information on school field trips; thank you notes received by the PTA, including many written by students; school calendars and lunch menus; summer activity information from organizations such as the YMCA; 1975-76 and 1977-78 Grandin School Yearbooks; and photographs. While there are a few photographs that date from earlier years, the bulk of the photographs are found in scrapbooks that date from 1982 and later. Photographs document many student activities, though very few students are identified. Teachers and PTA volunteers are more often identified in photographs.
1978 annual for Grandin Court Elementary School.
1976 annual for Grandin Court Elementary School.
Harrison School Trip to Washington D. C. May 1950.
Mr. Roscoe R. Banks. First YMCA Member, Past Chairman of the Board of Members, Elected Honorary Board Member William A. Hunton Branch YMCA, Roanoke, VA. 1927-1956. Photographer: Clark Studio. Donated by the Gainsboro Family YMCA in 2012.
Unknown man. Donated by the Gainsboro Family YMCA in 2012.
Photograph of a young Virginia Y. Lee. She is seated in this sepia toned image.
A Guide to the Omnia Bona Club Collection
This is a Guide to the Omnia Bona Club Collection. This collection consists of materials donated after the disbandment of the club in 2025. The materials collected are largely related to their scholarships, recipients, and history.
Black and white streetscape featuring new First Baptist in the foreground and old First Baptist in the background. Front: "BH".
Black and white streetscape of Henry Street in Roanoke.
Candid image of a crowd in front of the boarded up Palace Hotel with a banner reading 'Henry Street Heritage Festival'.
Photo of the fire that destroyed First Baptist in Gainsboro. Note: oversize copy of this image in Box 11. Folder 1 BH 1249 and BH 1260.
Black and white group photo. From left to right Bob Hale, Bernard Davis, Craxton Powell, and an unknown seated woman.
Grave marker of James H Hale in Williams Memorial Park in Roanoke.
Black and white portrait of four unknown individuals sitting on a porch. Note: oversize duplicate of this image in Box 11, Folder 1 BH 1252.
Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway. "Sept - '97". September 1997.
Charlie Wise's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Black and white photo of Wendell White's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
James Allen Turner's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Lillie Smith's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
George F. Robinson's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Black and white photo of Russell Page's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
John Traynham's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Illegible headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Lelia Holmes Mickens' headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Close-up of Stephen Hurt's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Black and white photo of Sarah Holland's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Margaret Gravel's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Fletcher Gilbert's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Please contact the Virginia Roon at 540.853.2540 for permission to use.
Herbert G. Rayford's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Black and white photo of Elder William Dent's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Sherman Rayford Jr.'s headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Marcella F. Barlow's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Amelia Lawson's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Gainsboro Branch at Roanoke Public Libraries
Black and white photo of Elizabeth Woods' headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Sallie B Woods' headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Black and white photo of Victoria Street Bell's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Gainsboro Branch of Roanoke Public Library
Charles H Robinson's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Gainsboro Branch of Roanoke Branch Libraries
Allen O. Booth's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Deacon John Thomas Lindsey's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Frances R Sawyer's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Louisa B Trent's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Ellen Banks' headstone in Old Lick Cemetery. "03-02-06". 02 March 2006.
Floyd S Turner's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Gainsboro Branch of Roanoke Public Library.
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2540 for permission to use
Odell Howard's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Gainsboro Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries.
Marie Early's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Mary E. Kasey's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery. Printed date 07 December 2006.
Frank E. Coleman's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Novella A. Henderson's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Black and white photo of Samuel McAllister's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Black and white photo of Martha A. Beal's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Mary Street's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Emma L. Thurman Hurt's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Ruben W. Chiles' headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Effie M. Taylor's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery. Printed date 27 November 2006.
Parthenia L. White's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Ernest White's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Virginia Clara Woody's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.53.2540 for permission to use.
A fallen cross-shaped headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
A fallen headstone in Old Lick Cemetery.
Black and white photo of Maria Leak Jefferson's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery. Printed date 21 April 2006.
Daniel P. White's headstone in Old Lick Cemetery. "03-02-'06". 02 March 2006.
Old Lick Cemetery. Printed date 07 December 2006.
Duplicate image of BH 079. "06/09/06". 09 June 2006.
Mass grave monument in Botetourt County.
Mass grave monument in Botetourt Count for the movement of 933 bodies to make way for the Interstate 81 by the City of Roanoke. "06/09/06". 09 June 2006.
Historic Gainsboro Library in Downtown Roanoke.
Portrait of a young girl reading in the Gainsboro Library. "07/02". July 2002.
Portrait of a young girl reading in the Gainsboro Library. "7-98". July 1998.
View of the Roanoke Star from its base. "May 04". May 2004.
Portrait of Bob Hale on a street. "05-19-'02". 19 May 2002.
A Guide to the Burrell Memorial Hospital Collection
This is a guide to the Burrell Memorial Hospital Collection. This collection contains items related to the origin and ongoing service of Burrell Memorial Hospital. The items range from documents to pamphlets, news clippings, and excerpts.
A Guide to the First Baptist Church Collection
This is a guide to the First Baptist Church Collection. This collection contains items related to the First Baptist Church of Roanoke and their activities, including documents, news clippings, programs, and booklets. The First Baptist Church was organized in 1867, and since then it has been a spiritual home to many, contributing to over a century of local Black history.
A Guide to the Continental Societies Inc., Roanoke Chapter Records
This is a guide to the Continental Societies Inc., Roanoke Chapter Records. These records contain items related to the Continental Societies Inc., Roanoke Chapter and their activities, and they include documents, news clippings, programs, and correspondences. The Roanoke Chapter of Continental Societies Inc., was founded and co-founded by Florence Prunty and Florine Fulford and for over half a century, the organization's primary goal has been to serve the local underprivileged youth communities, with an emphasis on uplifting young black girls.
Continental Societies Inc., Roanoke Chapter
A Guide to the Edward R. Dudley Collection
This is a guide to the Edward R. Dudley Collection. This collection primarily consists of correspondences, newspaper clippings, and photographs related to his career as a successful asset to the US Government and the NAACP. He was the first Black American to serve as a US Ambassador. This collection contains materials that date from 1946-2005.
Showtimers, a nonprofit community theater organization, was founded in 1951 with Betty Ross Garretson, a speech and drama professor at Roanoke College, as its president. Its first home was at the Laboratory Theater, Roanoke College, Salem, Virginia. The organization also provided acting classes. By 1960 it was averaging paid admission of 1,000 persons at its performances. In 1963 musicals were added to its yearly slate of productions. In 1971 productions moved to a former church on McVitty Road, Roanoke, Virginia, which was renovated to suit the Showtimers’s needs. In late 1970s and early 1980s productions were stage at Olin Hall, Roanoke College; they later returned to a renovated and expanded facility on McVitty Road. The Footlighters were founded in 1952 and merged with the Showtimers after their 1953 season. The bulk of the collection is comprised of show programs, from 1951 through 1993. Not all years are complete; few programs are available for 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1984 through 1993. Programs from The Footlighters 1953 productions are included in the collection. Three anniversary publications that include written histories and photographs of Showtimers productions are available for 1960 (10th Anniversary), 1975 (25th Anniversary), and 1990 (40th Anniversary). A financial report that documents Showtimers’s receipts and expenses, 1951-1959 is part of the collection.
A Guide to the Roanoke Book Collectors Collection
Ten small books / pamphlets, dating from 1862 to 1950. They include two copies of Moore’s The Night Before Christmas, one dating to 1862, and several books with ties to Roanoke, as they were edited by, published by, or privately printed for Roanoke residents. Of note is an illustrated version of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven, published by Stone Printing, Roanoke, in 1909.
A Guide to the Roanoke Association for the Exhibition and Sale of Livestock Minute Book
One minute book of the Roanoke Association for the Exhibition and Sale of Live Stock from Virginia and Other States, covering May 1883 through October1887. Numerous pages have been removed from the book. Those that remain are primarily minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors, but also include minutes of several Stockholder meetings. Topics of meetings include management and purchase of the fairgrounds and developing rules and policy for exhibitions held in October, 1883 through 1887.
Roanoke Association for the Exhibition and Sale of Livestock from Virginia and Other States
A Guide to the Better Business Bureau of Roanoke Collection
The Better Business Bureau of Roanoke, Inc. was chartered December 5, 1939, as a branch of the National Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. A nonprofit organization, it is funded through memberships of individuals, businesses, and other organizations, and managed by a board of directors. It is a resource to members and the public for education in fair trade and fraud prevention and investigates complaints. Collection includes pamphlets, bulletins, newsletters, and similar items from 1940-1943. Bulletins and newsletters include articles on general scams to avoid, as well as details about particular local individuals found to have defrauded the public. They also describe the activities of the Better Business Bureau of Roanoke to address deceptive practices by local businesses.
A Guide to the 1961 Charter Study Commission Collection
The Charter Study Commission was authorized by Roanoke City Council in June 1961 to study the City Charter and report on suggested changes to it by November 1, 1961. Members of the committee were: A. A. Akers, Mrs. Emmett R. Albergotti, E. Griffith Dodson Jr., Earl A. Fitzpatrick, Robert A. Garland, John W. Hancock Jr., James P. Hart Jr., Harold N. Hoback, Edward H. Scott, English Showalter, James L. Trinkle, Earle J. Wentz Jr., Gordon C. Willis, Robert W. Woody, Chairman. The collection includes information gathered by the commission, its meeting minutes, and drafts of its report to city council. Meeting minutes cover August through November 1961. Background information includes: the existing Roanoke City charter as well as those of a few other cities; information from the National Municipal League about city charters; and on topics of particular concern—real estate assessment, “quadrant” voting, and school funding. The collection also includes correspondence received from city officials and the public regarding concerns to be addressed in the charter review.
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part I: 1763 Thomas Wright of Bedford County, Virginia, His Wife Mary (___) Wright, and Their Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia is a multipart project. Each part will discuss a separate Wright family, beginning with the oldest known ancestor of that line.
Other Wright Family histories by Robert N. Grant are available in print in the Virginia Room.
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XVI: 1814 Parmenos Wright of Nelson County, Virginia, His Wife Elizabeth (___) Wright, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XIII: Lewis Wright of Lynchburg, Virginia, His Wife Elizabeth (Hill) Wright, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XIV: 1877 Joseph Wright of Bedford County, Virginia, His Wife Ann (Hill) Wright, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part II: John Wright of Goochland County, Virginia, His Wife Judith (Easly) Wright, and Their Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XVIII: Jesse Wright of Amherst County, Virginia, His Wives Susannah (Harper) Wright and Rachel (Welch) Wright, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XII: Harrison Wright of Rockbridge County, Virginia, His Wife Permelia (Watts) Wright, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XIX: Grief Wright of Bedford County, Virginia, His Possible Wife Sally (Candler) Wright, His Wives Nancy (___) Wright, and Leanna (Hanes) Wright, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XV: Augustine Wright of Amherst County, Virginia, His Wife Alice or Alcey (Ball) (Wright) Edmunds, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XVII: Achilles Wright of Oldham County, Kentucky, His Wife Nancy (__) Wright, and His Descendants
While its history can be traced back to the Big Lick Baptist Church founded in 1875, it was in 1929 that the congregation of First Baptist Church moved to its newly constructed church on Third Street between Franklin and Luck Avenues. The church occupied this building into the twenty-first century. During the mid-twentieth century, the period of time this collection represents, its pastors were William Cooke Boone (1927-1930), Walter Pope Binns (1931-1943), Wade Hampton Bryant (1945-1961), and Charles Grantland Fuller (1961-1999). Membership in the church ranged from about 2,000 in 1929 to almost 2,500 in 1971. The collection primarily consists of church service programs from 1929-1948 and directories and yearbooks from the 1960s and 1970s. The collection includes programs from Sunday Services during the years 1929-1948 and 1961-1970, though coverage of many years is scant, and no year includes the full complement of programs. Programs often include a church calendar for the upcoming week. Full church directories are available for the years 1965, 1967, 1971, and 1974, and a leadership directory is included for 1966. Several yearbooks for the Woman’s Missionary Union and the Rebekah Bible Class from the 1960s and early 1970s are also part of the collection.
A Guide to the Roanoke Country Club Collection
The Roanoke Country Club was founded in 1899 as a golf and tennis club. Its first clubhouse was a repurposed home near where it rented land from the Crystal Spring Land Company for a golf course; tennis courts were also built on adjacent lots purchased by the club. Club members also participated in other sports and games and held social events. In 1902 membership was 113 active and 49 associate members. In 1908 the club moved to its present location off Melrose Avenue, which was accessible by streetcar from downtown Roanoke. It included a clubhouse, 9-hole golf course, and tennis courts; the course was expanded to 18 holes in about 1920. A new clubhouse was constructed in 1924; the first swimming pool at the club was installed in 1937. In subsequent years, facilities were further improved, expanded, and enlarged. In 1964 the club acquired more land to expand the golf course to 27 holes in 1966. In 1967-68 the club house was further expanded and modernized and an indoor tennis facility was built. The collection features the club newsletter, Country Club News from 1956-1970, though not all issues are present. It also includes materials gathered to prepare a club history on occasion of its 70th Anniversary in 1969, including a reproduction of “Golf in Roanoke” written in 1917 by Walter A. Carpenter, and typescript drafts of the history of tennis in Roanoke and of the Roanoke County Club written by George Hanger in 1969.
A Guide to the Wednesday History Club Collection
Organized in 1917 as the “Wednesday Club,” with its first meeting in January of 1918, members changed the name to “Wednesday History Club” in 1921. The organization was a women’s literary study club with programs focused on history, world affairs, and fine arts. With membership originally capped at 20 and expanded to 25 in 1950, it met twice monthly on Wednesdays, September through May. In addition, the organization’s members gifted books to the public library and donated time and money to other civic causes. The club disbanded in 2022. The collection is primarily club yearbooks from 1917-18 through 2013-14, with a few additional items of club ephemera and newspaper clippings. Yearbooks list members, past presidents, program topics and presenters, club constitution and by-laws. A set of yearbooks from 1917-18 through 1986-87 were originally donated within a scrapbook compiled by the club; for conservation purposes they were removed from the scrapbook. The 1917-18 and 1918-19 yearbooks are handmade and fragile. Later yearbooks are professionally printed or typed and copied, though some from the 1930s also have hand-illustrated covers. For most of the years between 1920 and 1990 the library also received and held copies of the yearbooks; many have notations regarding information to support the program topics. The 1977-78 yearbook includes essays on the club’s history, 1917-1977; many later yearbooks include updated club histories.
A Guide to the Roanoke City-County Centennial Civil War Commission Papers
In 1959 Roanoke County and the City of Roanoke jointly established the City-County Civil War Centennial Commission to work with the Virginia Civil War Commission to coordinate plans for 100th Anniversary activities. John E. Moore took over the chairmanship of the commission in September of 1960. Items in the collection document events sponsored of the commission, including a television program, a display of Currier & Ives prints, commemoration of the Battle of Hanging Rock, and the visit from a Civil War era steam locomotive, “The General.” Information is also included on Moore’s personal visit to the last living Confederate veteran, Col. Walker Williams and the establishment of the Salem Flying Artillery reenactment organization.
John E. Moore, chairman, Roanoke City-County Civil War Centennial Commission
A Guide to the Royal Arcanum . Council No. 1228, Record Book Collection
The Royal Arcanum is a fraternal organization that provides insurance benefits to its members and their families. The Roanoke Council No. 1228 was established in 1890. The collection includes four Meeting Minute Books, spanning the years from the organization’s founding in 1890 through 1910. Additionally there is a Record of Applicants book with listings from 1895 through 1911. An Order Book on the Treasurer includes payment stubs from 1914 through 1919. Loose items within the books were moved to folders.
A Guide to the Magic City Garden Club Collection
The Magic City Garden Club, the second garden club established in the City of Roanoke, was organized in 1927 under the leadership of Kelly Rainey Davis (Mrs. George Maslin Davis). She was the club’s first secretary; its first president was Martha Norton Stone (Mrs. Alvah Stone). There were nine charter members. During the 1970s and 1980s membership ranged from 25 to 40 members. The group provided education to its members about gardening and organized gardening exhibitions, including Roanoke’s first indoor flower show in 1928 and the first show inviting clubs from across Southwest Virginia in 1931. It was the only club from Roanoke to be a charter member of the Virginia State Federation of Garden Clubs in 1932 and was a founding club of the Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs in 1934. The collection includes a minute book covering 1969-1988, a booklet documenting the history of the first fifty years of the club, 1927-77, and a club yearbook from 1997-98.
A Guide to the Joshua L. Chamberlain Camp 20, Sons of Union Veterans Collection
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Camp 20, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, was organized in 1995 under the leadership of Robert Eck. The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is a national organization dedicated to preserving the history of Union Veterans of the American Civil War. Hereditary members are male descendants of veterans of the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy who served in that conflict; associate members are men who have a demonstrated interest in the Civil War. Chamberlain Camp members have worked to identify the graves of Union Veterans in and around Roanoke, and participate in ceremonies that honor their service. Its namesake, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, was a Colonel (later Brevet Major General) who commanded the 20th Maine Volunteers at the Battle of Gettysburg. The collection is focused on the founding of the Camp and its activities in the 1990s. Organizational documents, newsletters from 1993-1999, and photographs of ceremonies and events from 1994 to 1999 form the core of the collection. Other documents in the collection cover Civil War commemorations of the 1990s, activities of the Chesapeake District of Sons of Union Veterans in the 2000s and 2010s, and awards presented by the Chamberlain Camp in 2014.
Members of Joshua L Chamberlain Camp 20, Sons of Union Veterans
A Guide to the Botetourt County Council of Garden Clubs Collection
The Botetourt County Council of Garden Clubs was organized in October 1957. It initially consisted of seven member clubs: Fincastle Garden Club, Eagle Rock Garden Club, Plant and Hope Garden Club, Buchanan Garden Club, Big Spring Garden Club, Orchard View Garden Club, and Castle Garden Club. Its purpose was to hold countywide flower shows and programs. Later member clubs included: Bonsack Garden Club, Rainbow Forest Garden Club, and Flowering Hills Garden Club. There had been a precursor organization with a similar function, the Botetourt County Federation of Garden Clubs, active in the 1930s and 1940s. The Botetourt Council of Garden Clubs was dissolved in 1995. The collection includes Botetourt County Council of Garden Club minutes and administrative documents for the years 1957-1976 and 1988-1995 as well as scrapbooks and albums that record the organization’s activities through newspaper clippings, ephemera, and photographs covering the span of the council’s existence. The 1961 Flower Show is well documented by a Scrapbook that won a state award and photographic slides of many entries. The collection also includes a flower show record book, covering the years 1933-38 from a precursor organization, the Botetourt County Federation of Garden Clubs.
Botetourt County Council of Garden Clubs and Botetourt County Federation of Garden Clubs
A Guide to the Margaret Lynn Lewis Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution Collection
The Margaret Lynn Lewis chapter of the DAR was organized in Roanoke in 1894 by Lelia Smith Cocke (Mrs. Lucian H. Cocke), who was its first regent (chapter leader). The chapter was named after Margaret Lynn Lewis, who emigrated from Scotland to near Staunton, Virginia, in 1832 with her husband John Lewis. They were the parents of Revolutionary War General Andrew Lewis. DAR Members must have a documented ancestor who aided in the effort for American Independence. The purpose of the organization is to preserve and memorialize the history of men and women who were active in the effort of obtaining American Independence and to promote education regarding American history and citizenship. The Margaret Lynn Lewis Chapter donated time and money to a wide variety of efforts that furthered these goals. For several decades they sponsored a Good Citizen award to a local high school student. They also erected local monuments to memorialize patriotic causes and individuals. Chapter members of note include Sarah Johnson Cocke (the second Mrs. Lucian H. Cocke) who, when she lived in Georgia, was a national charter member and one of the first vice-presidents general of the national DAR. Sally Smith Rowbotham (Mrs. Arthur Rowbotham) served as state regent and national vice-president of the DAR in the 1930s (though she had moved to Altavista, VA at that time). Willie Walker Caldwell (Mrs. Manley M. Caldwell), author and writer for The Roanoke Times, was a Republican national committee member. Several members were founders of the Roanoke Civic Betterment Club. This collection includes scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, photographs, and other memorabilia amassed by members of the Margaret Lynn Lewis Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Items document the activities of the local, state, and national DAR, as well as colonial and local history. Coverage of the chapter’s founding through the 1960s is limited. Materials created prior to the 1970s suffered water damage; there is reference in later documents to the flooding of a bank vault in November 1985 that affected the chapter’s memorabilia trunk. Only portions of early scrapbooks were salvaged and included in the donated items. These and some later items showed signs of mold; once digital copies were made of them, they were discarded. Digital copies were also made of later scrapbooks to document page order and item placement; these were then disassembled to remove newsprint and protect photographs.