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<strong>THE</strong> TOWN OF BLACKSBURG & <strong>THE</strong> MUSEUM ROAR!<br />
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“On March 28, 1905, James Anderson, John Anderson, Gordon Mills, John<br />
Rollins, Grandville Smith, and Robert Eaves met at 8:30. James Anderson<br />
proposed to the gathered members of the Tadmore Light Lodge 6184 of<br />
Grand United Order of the Odd Fellows to purchase a small lot on the corner<br />
of Gilbert and Barger streets in the center of New Town, an African American<br />
community in Blacksburg, Virginia. The price of $95.00 was agreed upon, as<br />
was the formation of a joint stock company with the Saint Francis Council of<br />
the Right and Worthy Grand Council of the Independent Order of Saint Luke.<br />
Thus began the history of what is commonly called the St. Luke and Odd<br />
Fellows Hall in Blacksburg.”<br />
“On September 30, 2004 Montgomery County Judge Grubbs, in response to a<br />
petition presented to the court, appointed Beatrice Walker, Walter Lewis, and<br />
Aubrey Mills trustees of the Odd Fellows Hall. Efforts to preserve the Hall began<br />
in 2002 but faced many obstacles before the appointment of trustees two years<br />
later. Based on extensive discussions by legacy relatives, former organization<br />
members, and interested citizens, and explorations of strategies to preserve and<br />
restore the Odd Fellows Hall, the trustees decided to donate the property to the<br />
Town of Blacksburg. The trustees made this offer to the Town with the<br />
conditions that the Odd Fellows Hall be restored and dedicated as a part of the<br />
Town's museum.”<br />
“The St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall has strong sentimental<br />
A P P R E C I A T E<br />
meaning to the African American community and for all of<br />
Blacksburg. It reminisces of a time when the Black community was strong and selfsufficient.<br />
There were numerous Black businesses that lined Main Street, College<br />
Avenue, Progress Street, Roanoke Street and streets adjacent to Virginia Tech.<br />
Members of this community were instrumental in the successes of Blacksburg as a<br />
town and of Virginia Tech as an educational institution.” 96<br />
“In 2009-2010 the Town of Blacksburg restored the St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall<br />
as a museum and activity center to preserve the memories and contributions of the<br />
many families who lived in New Town. In 2012, the building became part of the<br />
Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation; under its stewardship a committee is<br />
developing activities and events for the Hall.” 97<br />
<strong>THE</strong> <strong>TIGER</strong> & <strong>THE</strong> <strong>TORCH</strong> Page | 69<br />
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