Beatrice Freeman Walker & St Luke
On December 17, 2013, Ms. Beatrice Walker recorded an oral history for Virginia Tech’s University Special Collections at the St. Luke, Odd Fellows, and Household of Ruth Hall. As a key figure in pr…
Beatrice Walker’s oral history at St. Luke Hall in 2013. As a Trustee, she helped save the building from condemnation. Her story reveals New Town’s erasure and Maggie Lena Walker’s lasting impact on Black financial empowerment in Blacksburg.
friendsofstlukeoddfellows.org/2025/02/18/b...
21.02.2025 13:55 — 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
On Feb. 18, 2025, Heather Nicholson spoke at the VT Woman’s Club Winter Luncheon on St. Luke & Odd Fellows Hall, highlighting how cooperative economics helped Black communities survive post-emancipation. Built in 1906, the hall remains a testament to their legacy.
19.02.2025 03:02 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
This Hall was once the heart of the New Town neighborhood. Now, it feels small beneath the towering VT buildings that have reshaped the landscape. Universification—like gentrification, but at the expense of Black communities—continues to erode its identity. How do we push back against this trend?
08.02.2025 15:15 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Excited to announce our new website! It combines valuable info, a digital archive, and hidden stories that honor the people who built this building, community, University, and Blacksburg. Their often-overlooked history and contributions are now celebrated.
www.friendsofstlukeoddfellows.org
06.02.2025 04:32 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 1