OPINION Shining a light on local history

LAURA MCFARLAND

Editor

Managing

As far as telling Powhatan stories goes, the Powhatan African American Cultural Arts Museum’s new exhibit “The History of Black Business” does an excellent job. I attended the open house held Sunday at the museum, which is located in the lobby of the Pocahontas Landmark Center, 4290 Anderson Highway.

Kudos to the museum committee for putting together this simple but information-rich exhibit highlighting the black businesses and professionals of all kinds in Powhatan. Committee president Danielle Lipscomb said the group used oral histories and existing documents to showcase the rich history of businesses owned and operated by people of color with more information continuing to come in, making it a dynamic exhibition. The displays are spread throughout the museum alongside the permanent exhibit about the 20 community schools that once educated black children in Powhatan.

When I first read the title of the exhibit, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I was pleasantly

Valentine

From A1 for the show, feeling it was “visually interesting” with a striking red color and a great documented history behind its creation.

“Sandra Kemp has been very vocal and communicative in her experiences as a student and a designer, so that is also very helpful. As far as the display goes, it is just a very visually striking piece and it has a great story behind it. Our whole mission is share interesting and relevant stories, and I think it has all those things,” Gabor said.

This particular jumpsuit, which Kemp titled Torrid, was one of several pieces she created for a fashion show in her senior year that had a Spanish theme. The inspiration was a matador’s outfit and mantilla lace. The pants and vest are bright red velvet and there is an off white satin bodice with lace trim cuffs and

Tractor

From A3 other driver got out of his vehicle to check on him and called 911.

Emergency workers were there in a matter of minutes and he was transported to the Watkins Centre, he said. Nothing was broken but when he followed up with his primary care physician it was suspected he had sacroiliitis, which is the inflammation of one or both of sacroiliac joints.

“I am still limping and it is still painful. I can’t stand or sit for too long and picking up and moving anything doesn’t work,” he said. Corker credits buying the blade box, which was attached to the back of the tractor, with him not being injured more severely, or worse.

Melissa Corker, Shawn’s wife, said she initially offered to drive behind her husband on the way home but he told her to go ahead. It was a beautiful day and he was just going to enjoy the drive. She was wondering what was taking so long, thinking maybe he had been delayed chatting at Tractor Supply, when he called her from the ambulance.

“He is very stoic and he plays down everything so I thought it was worse than it is,” she said. “I had to drive eastbound on 60 and you could see the whole accident scene. They took the tractor away surprised to see such a wide cross-section of professions highlighted, including doctors, lawyers, blacksmiths, carpenters, midwives, hair stylists and barbers, farmers, convenience store and grocery store owners, restauranteurs, brick layers, electricians, woodworkers, ice sellers, seamstresses, cleaners, grave diggers, morticians, loggers and more. Some of the professions had names only or a name and a little bit of information. Others had more detail and provided a fascinating glimpse into Powhatan County’s normal happenings. Here are just a few of the people I learned about from the museum.

Dr. Lester W. Brown Jr. was Powhatan’s first resident African American physician, practicing here from 1982 until his death in 2002. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served as a medical corpsman and served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970, during which time he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal. While practicing in Powhatan, roles he held included medical examiner for Powhatan, chief physician at Goochland Correctional Center on the front. for Women and staff physician at Powhatan Correctional Center.

After graduating from VCU, Kemp had a varied career. She said she served in the Peace Corps for a year; worked at Saks Fifth Avenue and Woodward and Lothrop Department stores in Washington, D.C.; took secretarial positions while earning her master’s degree in gerontology; worked as a 4-H agent/ clothing and textile specialist; developed a correspondence course in millenary to teach women to make hats, and worked as a literacy/GED instructor with the Virginia Department of Corrections. She also had her family and developed an interest in historical preservation and Powhatan’s history in particular. The Valentine is located at 1015 East Clay Street, Richmond. For more information on visiting, go to www.thevalentine.org or call 804649-0711.

Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com.

Douglas King sold and delivered block ice in the Powhatan County area during the 1940s.

Meldon “Trick” Jones and his wife, Louise, purchased a grocery store located on Route 711 in the Fine Creek Mills area from Charlie Henley shortly after the Great Depression in 1939. Jones, who was the grandson of a slave, had only a “smattering of reading and arithmetic skills and a sixth grade education” but built a prosperous business and became a local landowner. Nine years after he bought the store, he built a brick two-story building with an apartment on the second floor for the couple. In addition to the goods they sold, the store offered a headquarters for the local Fishing Club, where fisherman brought their fish to be weighed, measured and recorded. Benny and Edith Goode owned Goode’s Pool and Recreational Park, which provided a safe and friendly place for family and friends to gather. In addition to the pool, the business had “gaming machines, pool tables, basketball courts and endless areas to grill.”

Calendar

From A2 program lineup for 2023. Mark your calendars for the Library of Virginia’s Genealogical seminar with certified Genealogist ashley Craig, part one of a research how-to series offered this spring. It will be held at noon tuesday, March 14. this is a two-hour workshop that is going to go over the use of resources and databases. the session is not just for folks looking to start out but for experienced researchers as well! For details, contact Powhatan County Public Library at 804-598-5670 or library@powhatanlibrary.net. save the date! the Powhatan County Public schools Parent resource Center and office of Family engagement are hosting a Family resource Fair open house from 4 to 7 p.m. thursday, March 16 at Powhatan high school, 1800 Judes Ferry road. Look for more details coming soon! Powhatan County Public Library has an action-packed spring program lineup for 2023. PCPL is proud to be partnering with the Powhatan-Goochland County Master Gardener association to bring two workshops this season! Master Gardener Christy Jones will be at the library for the bokashi Composting workshop. she’ll teach participants how to turn kitchen waste, including meat, into compost in just four weeks! the workshop will begin March 18 at 10:30 a.m. registration preferred but not required. For details, contact Powhatan County Public Library at 804-598-5670 or library@powhatanlibrary.net.

During the early/mid 1950s, Irvin Bell constructed wooden boats and his sons would take them to what is now Powhatan Lakes and rent them to people who were fishing during the day for around $1.50 per person for the day with an additional 50 cents per person.

William Henry Brown owned and operated a steam-driven sawmill on Trenholm Road where local residents brought trees from their land that were made into wooden planks to be used to build homes and other structures. The sawmill boiler exploded on Sept. 16, 1933, killing Brown’s son, Fred, and nephew, Freddie Hicks. Brown and another son, John, were wounded. The sawmill was not rebuilt.

William “Billie” Barber was a mule skinner who was hired to pull logs on building sites to be planned in a portable sawmill. He was in business roughly from 1876 to 1927.

The museum also did two special displays down either hallway celebrating local organizations like Southern Belle Rocks Foundation, the Get It Together Social Club, the Royaletts Social Club, the Community Aid Club and the James River District or library@powhatanlibrary.net.

Powhatan County Public Library has an action-packed spring program lineup for 2023. PCPL is proud to be partnering with the Powhatan-Goochland County Master Gardener association to bring two workshops this season! are you interested in taking a more sustainable look at gardening? Master Gardener Pat Lust is teaching us saving and starting seeds which will go over selecting, collecting, preserving and preparing seeds before planting them. Join us on april 1 at 10:30 a.m. for this informative workshop. registration preferred but not required. For details, contact Powhatan County Public Library at 804-598-5670 or library@powhatanlibrary.net.

Baptist Association, highlighting their contributions to Powhatan and the region.

Black History Month aside (because the exhibit will be on display for several months) these are simply Powhatan stories about men and women who were there every day delivering babies, cutting hair, providing food in various ways, educating children, building homes, creating art and fashion, and taking care of the deceased. I wish more of our local stories, regardless of skin color, were showcased like this on a regular basis.

I am all for highlighting and learning about important historical figures, but exhibits like this remember the people who made an impact in our own community every day, even in small ways, and that is also worth celebrating.

The Powhatan African American Cultural Arts Museum has daily walk through hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, and future open houses will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. March 4-5, April 1-2 and May 6-7. It is free and open to the public.

Laura McFarland may be reached at LmcFarland@powhatantoday.com.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO shawn Corker was driving his brand new tractor home from the dealership when he was struck from behind, seriously injuring him and totaling the tractor. but you could see the pieces they were picking up. I was a mess.”

The tractor has since been replaced and the new one was delivered to the house. Shawn Corker said he will use it for work on the yard around their house when he feels better.

In the meantime, he said he doesn’t hold any ill will toward the other driver; he shared his story to remind drivers they are sharing the road with people, whether it is farmers riding slow-moving equipment or VDOT workers.

“People just need to watch out.

It is not like you can’t see the thing from a mile away. There aren’t many tractors that are camouflaged. That thing is bright red,” he said.

Powhatan state Park has planned a series of monthly ranger Led hikes to explore the park throughout 2023. each month, park visitors can join in a hike on a different trail in the park and learn about local history and wildlife. all hikes begin at 10 a.m. registration is required and limited to nine hikers per trip. email Powhatan@dcr.virginia.gov with the subject line “hiking series” including the desired date/hike to reserve your spot. upcoming events are: March 25: Cabin trail/big woods trail, meet at the playground area; april 29: Pine trail, meet at yates Parking area; May 27: Coyote run trail, meet at equestrian Lot; June 24: river, Gold dust and turkey trail, meet at equestrian Lot; July 29: Cabin trail/big woods trail, meet at the playground area; aug. 26: Pine trail, meet at yates Parking area; sept. 30: Coyote run trail, meet at equestrian Lot; oct. 28: river, Gold dust and turkey trail, meet at equestrian Lot; nov. 25: Cabin trail/big woods trail, meet at the playground area; and dec. 30: Pine trail, meet at yates Parking area. wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes and bring plenty of water. Children are welcome but be aware that some hikes may exceed 4 miles and require navigating uneven terrain in all weather conditions.

Powhatan County Public Library has an action-packed spring program lineup for 2023. the PCPL monthly book Club is here! Join us on March 31 at 10 a.m. the book selection is “horse” by Geraldine brooks. see the front desk and Facebook for more info. For details, contact Powhatan County Public Library at 804.598.5670 saturday under the stars at Powhatan state Park will be hosted by the richmond astronomical society throughout 2023. events are open to the public and held at the equestrian / trailhead parking area. Visitors are welcome to bring their telescopes and test them out under a dark sky with assistance from our astronomers. this is a great opportunity to try out a new telescope that might have been a holiday gift. no telescope is required, though. you can always check out the views through ours or just bring a comfortable chair. event times are listed below, but volunteer astronomers will be on site before the event to provide telescope assistance. note that the $5 park fee applies at all times; park fees are waived for volunteer astronomers who are sharing their expertise or equipment for the event and volunteer astronomers are welcome to continue to observe through the night after the public hours. astronomers that can help with any of these events, send a message to president@richastro.org. upcoming dates are: 7 to 9 p.m. april 22; 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. July 22; 8 to 10 p.m. sept. 16; and 5 to 7 p.m. dec. 9.

Powhatan County Public Library has an action-packed spring program lineup for 2023. Part two of the Library of Virginia’s Genealogical seminar series, Freedom of Information act, will be held april 25 from 1-2 p.m. allen Gernhardt will go over what kind of information is accessible, how to request information and an overall introduction of the FoIa. For details, contact Powhatan County Public Library at 804598-5670 or library@powhatanlibrary.net. an upcoming craft fair is looking for vendors. the fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on april 29, rain or shine, at st John neumann Catholic Church, 2480 batterson road, Powhatan. the cost is $20 for an outside parking space and $30 for inside the church’s hall with an 8-foot table. For more information or to purchase a space, email amanda Mcdonough at amandamcdonough72@yahoo.com.

ONGOING agricultural lands in Goochland and Powhatan counties continue to be eligible for conservation assistance funds from Monacan soil and water Conservation district (swCd) for stream exclusion fencing, establishing rotational grazing fields, developing water resources, wells, springs and stream access points, reforestation of critical areas and establishing

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS or enlarging buffer areas along waterways. Funds are also available for nutrient management plan development and implementation, cover crops and numerous other conservation practices. Monacan encourages producers to explore options now since program options have recently been revised and significantly improved for the producer. the district has highly skilled employees who are well trained in both the technical aspects of conservation management and program delivery. staff members assist producers in developing conservation plans that work for their operation and navigating program opportunities. not all programs are created equal and staff members assist applicants in understanding the options and choosing the program that suits their farm’s needs. anyone interested in exploring the many benefits of conservation planning can contact district conservation specialists betty McCracken at (804)556-0935 or Colton sullivan at (804)556-0143. the Coalition of Powhatan Churches has available resources to help people who would like assistance in learning to manage their finances. If you know of anyone who needs or would like to have this service, or to get more information, call robin Cupka at 804-801-9851. backpacks of Love, a nonprofit committed to eliminating hunger in school-age children by providing nourishing food for their weekend, needs help. bPoL is looking for delivery drivers that would be available to deliver on thursdays. they are in immediate need of a driver to deliver to Cumberland County and or amelia County. these are great jobs for students looking for community hours. always accepting food donations of single serve raviolis, spaghettios, apple sauce, cereal, cookies, crackers and more. Contact Kevin hardy at 804-350-1127 for more information. young people in the 4-h community learn leadership, citizenship, and a vast array of life skills that benefit them for the rest of their lives. through school-based, after-school, and community clubs as well as camp settings, 4-h members pledge to build a better community, country, and world. the new 4-h year starts oct. 1 and runs through sept. 30, 2022, so this is a great time to join a 4-h club! In Powhatan County, 4-h sPIn and project clubs include the following designed for youth ages 9-18: Livestock, archery, equine dairy Judging, and shooting education (waiting list). For our younger youth, ages 5-8 years old, we’re seeking new club leaders interested in starting a second Cloverbud 4-h Club in Powhatan. 4-h school enrichment programs are also available for homeschool groups. reach out to Cathy howland, Powhatan 4-h extension agent, at 804-598-5640 or chowland@vt.edu for details about the 4-h opportunities listed, and/or information on starting new 4-h clubs or programs. Powhatan Food Pantry is currently seeking volunteer drivers who can pick up food from the local Food Lions on different days between 8:30 and 10 a.m. and transport them to the nonprofit at 2500 batterson road. Contact the pantry at 804-372-9526 or powhatanvafoodpantry@gmail.com.

Powhatan today welcomes your Letters to the editor on topics of concern to you and the community. Letters, which should be no longer than 400 words, must include the name, address and telephone number of the author. the deadline is noon thethursday before publication, but letters may be held until the following week upon the editor’s discretion. the publisher or editor of Powhatan today reserves the right to edit or withhold from publication any letter for any reason whatsoever. once received, all letters become the possession of Powhatan today. Letters reflect the opinion of the author, not necessarily that of Powhatan today or its staff.