Sargeant's Chronicle Norfolk Public Library by City of Norfolk

From the Sargeant Memorial Collection Inside the Pretlow Anchor Branch Library — Vignettes about Norfolk and Virginia’s History and Genealogy

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Norfolk Public Library

British

The War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain has been largely overlooked in American history, except for the writing of the Star Spangled Banner and the exploits of the frigate USS Constitution. The cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, however, were the site of a critical battle during which the Americans took on a far superior British Navy and won. The British considered the War of 1812 to be a minor conflict as England and her allies were fully engaged on the European Continent in other conflicts in a desperate attempt to stop the French Emperor Napoleon and his allies from consuming Europe for inclusion in his empire. Although fully engaged in Europe, there were still enough British June 21 – 22 forces to keep American ships bottled up in their seaports. Norfolk and the surrounding region faced such a situation when a British squadron sailed through the Chesapeake Capes on February 4th, 1813. The squadron consisted of five 74 gun ships of the line, ten frigates, and a host of smaller By Wm. Troy Valos sloop, schooners, and brigs, under the command of Admiral George Cockburn. Their mission was to stop all outgoing American naval forces and, if circumstances permitted, capture a seaport to use as a base of operations. Norfolk was an ideal seaport for this purpose. It had two forts protecting the city, a deep river and harbor, and access to naval stores and the Gosport Shipyard was capable of handling large naval vessels and properly supporting them. Norfolk and the region were of strategic importance because it was located at the halfway point on the Eastern Seaboard and allowed water access to our nation’s capital. It was truly a gem to capture in the eyes of the British! With the British squadron’s arrival, the local American forces were on high alert and started preparations to counter the British forces. The American situation was View of Craney Island in 1869. further complicated because the USS Constellation, sister ship of the USS Constitution, had been driven into port by the British who wanted to capture the ship. The Virginia militia began the reinforcement of Norfolk and the surrounding region under the command of General Robert B. Taylor. Earthworks were erected around the area including some at Craney Island. General Taylor wanted to create a layered defense of the city to make it extremely difficult for the British to capture the seaport. He ordered seven cannons of varying sizes put in place and ordered 700 men from different units to man them. The 50-acre island gave a wide view of the harbor and was the best place to counter a British attack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > C o n t i n u e d O n P a g e 6

Attack Repulsed:

B at t le o f Craney Island

1813

Virginia G. Ferguson Remebered

Lost Norfolk: The Pythian Castle

Second Wednesday Series

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Contributors: Robert B. Hitchings William B. Inge Wm. Troy Valos

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Copy Editor: Susan Mercer

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Graphic Design: Bart Morris

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Printing: Jones Printing Service

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Subscription rate: Free

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Sargeant’s Chronicles is published quarterly by the Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library

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Purpose: ∂ To promote the collection of the Sargeant Memorial Collection and Norfolk Public Library.

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∂ To educate readers about the rich history of Norfolk and Virginia based on research and materials within the Sargeant Memorial Collection. ..................................

∂ To educate readers about

current research, resources, and trends within genealogy and other historical research fields.

the Sargeant Memorial Collection? Mary Denson Pretlow, Head Librarian of the Norfolk Public Library, established the Sargeant Memorial Collection (SMC) in 1927 with only a small assortment of books and historical papers collected by William Henry Sargeant. Sargeant was the first Librarian to be hired by the City of Norfolk in 1897, and he felt very strongly that Norfolk needed a history room devoted to local history and people. The current non-circulating collection contains a variety of books and periodicals about Norfolk and Virginia, as well as Norfolk maps, photographs, high school yearbooks, and city directories for the Hampton Roads region. Nearly 200 years of Norfolk newspapers on microfilm are available. SMC’s genealogy collection encompasses Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and other nearby states and includes books, microfilm, and CDs to assist in family research. Today, the Sargeant Memorial Collection offers, without doubt, one of Virginia’s finest The Sargeant Memorial Collection temporarily located local history and genealogy collections. in the Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library.

Websites for information from local history and genealogy organizations: Princess Anne County & Virginia Beach Historical Society virginiabeachhistory.org

Norfolk Historical Society norfolkhistorical.org Norfolk County Historical Society infopeake.org/nchs.asp African American Historical Society of Portsmouth blackhistoryportsmouth.org

Virginia Beach Genealogical Society vbgsva.org

Recent Acquisitions: n

Gift from Tyrone Foy. 1 copy of Frances H. Wynne North Carolina Extant Voter Registrations of 1867, (2001).

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Gift from Charles Jacobson. 1 copy of Teva J. Scheer, Our Daily Bread: German Village Life, 1500-1850, (2010).

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Please contact us at the Sargeant Memorial Collection about availability of back issues, gift subscriptions, subscriptions, and change of address.

Gift from the estate of George Higson, Jr. 3 Maps: 1923 map of Northern Europe, 1908 Map of Park Place, and 1892 panoramic view of Norfolk, VA.

Gift from Marianna Donavan Price. 1954, 1955, 1956, and 1957 Norfolk Catholic High School yearbooks. n

Sargeant Memorial Collection Pretlow Anchor Branch Library 111 W. Ocean View Avenue Norfolk, VA 23503 (757) 664 - 7485

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Gift from Charles Merriam. Norfolk Academy yearbooks for 1995, 2002-2012. n

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Gift from Cheryl Donavan. 1961 and 1962 Granby High School yearbooks and Granby High School ephemera. n

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Gift from the Wilcox Family. Wilcox Family Photographs and Scrapbooks Collection. n

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Gift from Collier Webb. 9 yearbooks from Catholic High School 1992, 1994-2000, and 2004. .........................................................

Gift from Linwood Beckner. 2 yearbooks from Old Dominion University.

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1950s Photo Scrapbook of a Granby High Student.

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1949 and 1950 Booker T. Washington High School yearbooks.

......................................................... n Stuart Lee Butler, Defending the Old Dominion: Virginia and Its Militia in the War of 1812, (2013).

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Genealogy Apps for Android Tablets and Smartphones

Te c h Corner

The proliferation of tablets and smartphones has changed the way genealogists can do family history research. Instead of keeping cumbersome binders, you can now have most of your research on your touch screen. Below are some apps you can use on Android powered tablets and smartphones. You can find these apps at Google Play (https://play.google.com), but be mindful that some may have additional requirements or costs associated with them. This is only a selection; you should browse and search Google Play for others that are available. (In our next issue of the Chronicles, we will provide information about apps available for Apple’s iPad.)

Family Bee

Families

(Publisher: Beekeeper Labs) - $10.00

(Publisher: TelGen Limited) - $14.99

My Heritage

Ancestry

(Publisher: Piod Song) - Free

(Publisher: Ancestry.com) - Free

Bernard Ries Theater/Vaudeville Scrapbook of Norfolk, VA. ' by Robert B. Hitchings " Last year, Ellen VanOs, a patron of the Sargeant Memorial Collection, came to visit us and share her photographs of old Norfolk. She told me about her Uncle Bernard’s scrapbook pertaining to the theater and she was instrumental in obtaining this Scrapbook for our collection. Doc Ries’s scrapbook covers Norfolk’s rich theater life

from 1906-1927. It is a jewel! Bernard Ries (1879-1933) was a popular druggist on the corner of Granby and College Place. One special item he sold was face creams and make-up for the traveling theater and vaudeville stars. He later placed a rather large scrapbook in his store where these popular actors, actresses, opera singers, and vaudeville players would sign in and sometimes leave a picture or a program for Doc Ries. All these special little items were preserved in this large scrapbook. Today, one can still see the signatures of W.C. Fields, the opera singer Alma Gluck, vaudeville players and Houdini, the famous magician and stunt performer.

I Remember Virginia Glennan Ferguson ' by Robert B. Hitchings " She was a Norfolk native, born to Edward Keville Glennan and Virginia Cooke Glennan, both from old Norfolk and Virginia families. She was also the granddaughter of the late Michael Glennan, a long time former owner and editor of the Norfolk Virginian, an early local newspaper that was the forerunner of our present paper, The Virginian-Pilot. I met Virginia many years ago and she always was interested in my work in the Sargeant Memorial Collection. I visited her often and spent many hours in her home talking about Norfolk’s rich history and our collections. She loved Norfolk history. Virginia traveled the globe, learning about other cultures and seeing how the others lived. She could make conversation on any subject. She had a favorite saying, “I put my faith in three things: the Lord, Scotch whisky and duct tape; if one of these won’t fix it, the others will.” She had a great work ethic with a positive outlook towards life, which enabled her S a r g e a n t ’ s

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to give generously both to charities in our community as well as the needs of individuals. She was truly an extraordinary individual with a certain independence in getting things done. And she always kept her word! Virginia passed away on November 30th, 2012, at the age of 96. For those of us who knew her, we lost a dear friend, and she was a true friend to the Sargeant Memorial Collection. We are grateful–for in her will she left to us her family mementos, books, and a vast collection of scrapbooks and photographs of the early days of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

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Lost Norfolk Lost Norfolk:

The Pythian Castle/ Salvation Army Citadel 815 Llewellyn Avenue

' by William B. Inge " Commercial architecture erected in Norfolk October 30, 1868. Norfolk’s Charity Lodge of governors, a trustee of the Grand Lodge during the 1930’s was not all glass, chrome No. 10 was established in 1869. of Virginia, and served as chief marshal and steel. While both the Art Deco and Art Charity Lodge purchased the land for the parade. A box, placed inside of the Moderne styles flourished on such landmark for their new home in February, 1930 for corner stone, contained among other Pythian buildings as the former Birtcherd Dairy on $7,000. However, due to the effects of the related items, a gavel made of wood from the Monticello Avenue and the extant Ocean economic Depression, construction did not Confederate ship Virginia. The gavel had View Elementary School on Mason Creek commence until four years later. Bids for the been a gift to Charity Lodge in 1881. The Road, a number of important buildings new building, designed by Bernard Spigel, guest speaker for the ceremony was Colonel were designed in the more traditional were opened on March 23, 1934 and Conrad George Craighead Cabell {1868-1949} of Colonial Revival idiom. The administration Brothers of Norfolk was awarded the contract Norfolk. Cabell, an attorney, was the Past building for the College of William and with their bid of $17,995. The building Supreme Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias Mary’s Norfolk Division of the United States and {now Old Dominion Canada and was the University}, and Granby Grand Keeper of Records High School, both and Seals for the Grand designed by Clarence Lodge of Virginia. In his Amos Neff {1877-1952}, speech, Cabell spoke of are excellent examples. how “this building will Another notable stand as a monument example was the former not only to the lodge but Pythian Castle, built in to that member of the 1934 and extensively lodge and order–Leon enlarged in 1936. Nowitzky–through Located in East Ghent at whose efforts the 815 Llewellyn Avenue, building of the Pythian near the intersection Temple has largely been of W. Olney Road, brought about. It is due the castle was situated to his vision and energy directly across from the and intelligence as well as Photograph taken by Charles Borjes in 1936 showing the construction present day Harrison to the co-operation of his of the second floor addition to the Pythian Castle. The use of blind arches Opera House {formerly fellow members of the around the main floor windows is quite noteworthy. the Center Theater and lodge that this beautiful Auditorium}. It was built by Charity Lodge permit was issued the week of May 14 and on structure is dedicated to the elevation of No. 10 of the Knights of Pythias, a fraternal July 4, the corner stone was laid in a solemn humanity.” At a 1948 ceremony honoring organization and secret society. Founded ceremony, which coincided with a parade, Nowitzky’s contributions to the Knights of in Washington, DC, on February 19, 1864, beginning downtown at the Confederate Pythias, an oil portrait of him was unveiled the Knights of Pythias was the first fraternal Monument and continuing to Llewellyn and hung in the lodge room in his “perpetual organization to receive a charter under an Avenue. The new home for Charity Lodge honor.” Ironically, his death on January 21, act of the United States Congress. Its three was the vision of Leon Nowitzky {18931965 came as he collapsed while addressing distinguishing tenants are Friendship, Charity 1965}, Norfolk’s famous homicide detective. the Charity Lodge that evening. and Benevolence. The Grand Lodge of Knighted by the Pythians on September 26, The completed castle was opened to Virginia was organized in Richmond on 1926, Nowitzky was chairman of the board the public on October 30 with a dance 4

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home would be short lived. Just ten years later, the Salvation Army once again found itself in the way of redevelopment; this time with the demolition of East Ghent. After a condemnation suit by the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, they received $225,000 for their property, one of the highest amounts awarded up to that time. They were allowed to retain use of the building until May, 1976 when it was demolished for the widening of Llewellyn Avenue; a sad loss for such a handsome structure that had stood for only 42 years. Charity Lodge No. 10 purchased land for its new home on E. Princess Anne Road in the River Oaks section in August, 1964. Their present castle was completed the following year.

Postcard view of the Pythian Castle from the 1940’s

that witnessed over 1,000 in attendance. The lodge building, a single story masonry structure with a finished lower level, cost in excess of $25,000, including furnishings. However, it was quickly realized that the building was too small for the large Pythian membership and in April, 1936, architect Spigel drew plans for an extensive enlargement of the existing building. This included the addition of a second story to house the meeting rooms and administrative offices and the construction of the Damon Room on the left side. This was to be used as a dining room and opened directly onto the dance floor. Construction of the additions, which began in July at a cost of $17,872, was done by the wellknown Norfolk construction firm of R. R. Richardson & Co., Inc. When completed, Charity Lodge had an attractive home with nearly 15,000 square feet of space. Richmond native Bernard Betzig Spigel {1895-1968} came to Norfolk as a young child and graduated from Maury High School and Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh. He later returned to Norfolk and spent one year with Neff & Thompson before establishing his own firm in January, 1920. A highly regarded and accomplished architect, Spigel designed a wide array of residential, commercial, institutional and secular buildings. Although a thoroughly modern architect, his works were not limited to a particular style as Spanish, Tudor, Colonial and Art Moderne motifs could be found in his works. Among his major Norfolk commissions were the Bolling Square, Park Manor, and the Del Argo Apartments, the Heart O’ Ghent and S a r g e a n t ’ s

the Nansemond Hotels, Trinity Lutheran Church, the AAA office building and the Midtown Shopping Center at Wards Corner. After occupying the castle for 27 years, the Knights of Pythias sold their home to the Salvation Army in August, 1961 for $110,000. The old Salvation Army citadel, a striking three story Neo-Classical styled structure, was built in 1925-26 and designed by Wickham C. Taylor {18831963}. Located at 122 Talbot Street, it was forced to relocate after being in the path of Norfolk’s downtown redevelopment. The Salvation Army moved into its new home the following year after spending $60,000 in improvements. These included adding a chapel and a combination gym and reception room. However, their new

Sources: “Pythians Lay Corner Stone Of New Castle With Pomp And Ceremony After Parade.” The Virginian-Pilot. July 5, 1934. “Pythian Castle Will Be Enlarged.” The Virginian-Pilot. April 19, 1936. “Salvationists Locate Home.” The VirginianPilot. August 11, 1961. “Nowitzky’s Unique Sleuthing Unparalleled in City History.” The Ledger-Star. January 22, 1965. “Salvation Army Awarded $225,000 for Property.” The Ledger-Star. August 16, 1972.

Photograph taken by Joseph McClenny in 1972 of the Salvation Army citadel. Courtesy of The Virginian-Pilot.

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Craney Island . . . . . . . . . . . > C o n t i n u e d

From Page 1

On June 21, 1813, British forces began moving toward Norfolk. A fleet of four ships of the line, seven frigates, three sloops of war, six schooners, and two brigs, under the command of Admiral George Cockburn, sailed into Hampton Roads. The defenders at Craney Island watched as the fleet disembarked 2,600 men at the mouth of the Nansemond River. The British soldiers were ordered to attack the American redoubt on Craney Island from land during a coordinated amphibious assault the next day. The amphibious assault commenced on June 22 with fifty large barges and a combined force of roughly 1,500 men making their way to the island. At the same time, the land forces began their attack on the Americans. The defenders returned fire using canister and grape shot with deadly results—the land assault was repulsed with many British soldiers killed and injured. The American defenders then focused their attention on the British amphibious forces with equally deadly efficiency. The Admiral’s barge and five other barges were sunk and many others were damaged by American cannon fire. The remaining British forces retreated, thus ending the Battle of Craney Island. The British losses have been estimated at about 150 to 200 men while the Americans lost not a single man. Norfolk, Portsmouth, and the USS Constellation were saved by the stalwart American defenses. British forces made no further attempt to take Norfolk throughout the duration of the war. However, they did

burn the city of Hampton completely to the ground two days after the Battle of Craney Island. Afterwards, the British forces moved into the northern section of the Chesapeake Bay. Although the Battle of Craney Island is not well remembered, it does hold the distinction of being one of the very few land battles the Americans won against the British forces during the War of 1812. Sources: Butler, Stuart Lee. Defending the Old Dominion: Virginia and Its Militia in the War of 1812. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America, 2013. Forrest, William S. Historical and Descriptive Sketches of Norfolk and Vicinity: Including Portsmouth and the Adjacent Counties, During a Period of Two Hundred Years; Also Sketches of Williamsburg, Hampton, Suffolk, Smithfield, and Other Places, with Descriptions of Some of the Principal Objects of Interest in Eastern Virginia. Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1853. Lossing, Benson John. The Pictorial Field-Book of the War of 1812: Or, Illustrations, by Pen and Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the Last War for American Independence. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1869. Wertenbaker, Thomas Jefferson. Norfolk; Historic Southern Port. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 1931.

Norfolk Historical Society’s 2013 Second Wednesday Series Sept. 11 • 7 pm “THEY SHALL NOT HAVE THE SOUL OF VIRGINIA! ” The free people of Virginia debate the ratification of the Constitution. Two hundred twenty-five years ago, 168 Virginia delegates met in Richmond to debate the merits and decide the fate of the US Constitution. Although only nine states were needed to start the new government, if Virginia held out, many doubted it would work. Edmund Randolph and James Madison spoke fiercely for the document but George Mason, and the ever formidable Patrick Henry, thundered against it. On September 11, five interpreters from Virginia Patriots will relive the drama for us from the actual minutes of the debate. You will never again hear oratory like this in American politics.

Oct. 9 • 7 pm

A Walk up Bank Street P resenter : Dr. Robert Wojtowicz and William B. Inge

“A Walk up Bank Street,” is a look back at Norfolk’s numerous banking houses during the antebellum period, some of them near the site of today’s MacArthur Memorial Visitor Center. Presenters: Dr. Robert Wojtowicz, Professor of Art History and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Old Dominion University and William B. Inge, Building Historian, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library. All presentations are held in the Theater, MacArthur Memorial Museum, at 198 Bank Street in Norfolk, Virginia. The presentations start at 7 pm with light refreshments following and are free to the public. Parking is available in the south garage of MacArthur Center Mall ($2 after 6pm). For more information please contact Peggy Haile McPhillips, (757) 664-7328 ext 377. 6

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On-going SMC Genealogy Workshops SMC staff offers the following workshops, free to the public, at Pretlow Anchor Branch Library. For more information or to register for a class, please call (757) - 664 -7485 or email: localhistory@norfolk.gov Beginning Genealogy – Search wills, deeds, marriage and other court records. Space is limited to 12 people per class. Register in advance at (757) 664 - 7485.

How to Use On-line Genealogy Databases – Learn how to

use Ancestry.com genealogy database and other online genealogical resources. Space is limited to 15 people per class. Please register in advance at (757) 664 - 7485. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library – 1st Floor Meeting Room Saturday, Sept 21 @ 2 - 4 pm

Pretlow Anchor Branch Library – 1st Floor Meeting Room

Digital Genealogist – A nuts and bolts class on how to be a digital genealogist. Learn the basics of scanning family papers, photographs, and other items. Also learn how to safeguard your family’s digital heritage and how to organize your family’s digital files. Space is limited to 15 people per class. Please register in advance at (757) 664 -7485.

Saturday, September 7 @ 2 - 4 pm Saturday, October 5 @ 2 - 4 pm Saturday, November 2 @ 2 - 4 pm

Pretlow Anchor Branch Library – 1st Floor Meeting Room Saturday, October 19 @ 2 - 4 pm

Our Gratitude to...

the following people for their generosity in donating to the Sargeant Memorial Collection, and/or the Norfolk Public Library The Literacy Partnership of Norfolk, VA The Decker Law Firm of Norfolk, VA Norfolk Historical Society of Norfolk, VA Driving University Dr. G. William Whitehurst of Norfolk, VA Rachel A. Eder of Norfolk, VA Joan T. Proctor of Norfolk, VA St. Andrews Place Homeowners Assoc. of Norfolk, VA

Estate of George Higson, Jr. of Norfolk, VA Cheryl Donavan of Norfolk, VA Charles Jacobson of The Villages, FL Tyrone Foy of Norfolk, VA Marianna Donavan Price of Norfolk, VA Charles Merriam of Norfolk, VA Wilcox Family, formerly of Norfolk, VA Collier Webb of Norfolk, VA

If you have questions, please contact Sonal Rastogi at (757) 664-7328 or go to www.npl.lib.va.us

About the Sargeant Memorial Collection Endowment

Please Consider a Gift or Donation to the Sargeant Memorial Collection

The Norfolk Public Library Foundation has set up seven different endowments to enhance and improve the collections, technology, programming and buildings of the Norfolk Public Library system. In particular, the Sargeant Memorial Collection (SMC) Endowment was established to preserve and protect fragile and often oneof-a-kind items in the library’s local history collection. In conjunction with the 80th birthday of the SMC, the NPL Foundation announced in 2007 its campaign to raise over $1.5 million dollars for the SMC Endowment. A donation or inclusion in your estate planning will be greatly appreciated. If you have questions, please contact Sonal Rastogi at (757) - 664 - 7328 or go to www.npl.lib.va.us then click on “Foundation”. S a r g e a n t ’ s

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Name: Address: City:

State:

Home Phone:

Work Phone:

Zip:

Email: Please mail back to: How would you like to help? Sargeant Memorial Volunteer Collection, Donate Materials Pretlow Anchor Branch Sponsor a Book, Map or Microfilm 111 W. Ocean View Ave. Monetary Donation for Immediate Norfolk, VA 23503 Use* * Please make checks to: Norfolk Public Library ** Please make checks to: Norfolk Public Library Foundation 7

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111 W. Ocean View Avenue Norfolk, VA 23503

Memorial Collection Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library

Norfolk’s Local History & Genealogy Collection

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

Hours of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday: 10:00am – 9:00pm

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Friday & Saturday: 10:00am – 5:00pm

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Sunday: 1:00pm – 5:00pm

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111 W. Ocean View Avenue Norfolk, VA 23503 (757) 664 - 7485 Fax: (757) 441-1748 www.npl.lib.va.us Email: localhistory@norfolk.gov

Staff: Robert B. Hitchings, Head of Sargeant Memorial Collection robert.hitchings@norfolk.gov

Address Service Requested

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Wm. Troy Valos troy.valos@norfolk.gov

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William B. Inge william.inge@norfolk.gov

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Eddie Woodward Digital Projects Coordinator eddie.woodward@norfolk.gov ..................................

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Published in part by the generosity of the Friends of the Norfolk Public Library.

Images From Norfolk’s Past: Jackie Robinson Visits Norfolk!

Jackie Robinson visited Norfolk on October 10th, 1953 to participate in an “all star” exhibition baseball game at Myers Field. His team was victorious over the Negro League’s Philadelphia Stars, before a crowd of 3,700 spectators.

(Left) Jackie Robinson signs autographs for a group of young fans. (Above) Luke Easter, of the Cleveland Indians, and Jackie Robinson pose for a photograph. Photographer: Perry Breon. C o u rt e s y o f T h e V i r g i n i a n - P i lot .