Photo of ad supplied by Todd Gfeller.
Music writer John Wirt remembers:
A big crowd showed up. Wynton’s father, Ellis, was teaching jazz at VCU then. The show included a drumming performance by Wynton’s younger brother, Jason. Ellis Marsalis died earlier this year in New Orleans from the coronavirus.
Last night protesters using ropes pulled down a statue honoring Confederate Gen. Williams Carter Wickham, which has stood in Monroe Park since 1891.
Here is a postcard of the statue, produced in 1895.
Laurel Street neighbor Charles Pool continues to document Tredegar.
Many Oregon Hill residents entered through the large door to work in the huge Tredegar foundry. Over the door is a keystone plaque with the date 1861 and the letters “HTWSSTKS.”
Some might wonder if these letters were initials of the Tredegar founders or workers. In fact, the plaque is a Masonic symbol, and the letters stand for “Hiram, Tyrian, Widow’s Son, Sent to King Solomon.” According to historian Tui Snider, Hiram was chief architect for the Temple of King Solomon. When bad guys tried to squeeze the secret masonic passwords out of Hiram, he valiantly refused to tell them. As a result, the bad guys killed poor Hiram. In Masonic teachings, Hiram’s story is held up as an example of Masonic loyalty.
The G at the center of the plaque may stand for God.
It is tragic that the James River and Kanawha Canal was recently backfilled beside the Tredegar Iron Works. The water from the canal provided all of the power for the Tredegar Iron Works. The underground raceway for the water remains on the site.
There were many residents of Oregon Hill who worked at the Tredegar Iron Works. Beside the canal, the Tredegar company store, built just after the Civil War, survives where many Oregon Hill residents doubtless shopped for many of their household needs. Some of the shelves that held the goods are still visible inside the building. According to the interpretive plaque, Tredegar did not provide script like some companies, instead workers who shopped at the store had the bill deducted from their wages.
If you want more perspective and history, click here for an online lesson on James River geology.
I was going to save this post for ‘Throwback Thursday’, but I decided to put it out there for President’s Day.
“Several Dead Presidents are Buried in Our Backyard, Richmond Music Cooperative, Vol. 2” is a compilation of mostly Richmond bands released in late 1993. It was released on this new, crazy, digital format called compact disc. At the time, it was still relatively expensive to master and manufacture cds, so often bands that lacked big recording label backing would pool their moneys to put them out collectively. They would often use these joint efforts as ‘demos’ to give to the relatively few radio stations and clubs that would be open to new music.
It includes tracks from some favorite Richmond bands like Hegoat, Used Carlotta, Schwa, The Technical Jed as well as Norfolk’s Candy Snatchers.
(Editor’s note: Personally, I have a bias for an earlier Virginia cd compilation called New Dominion, but many also like the Dixie Flatline compilation, which was released by Radioactive Rat, back when its headquarters was on the 200 block of S. Cherry).
The title and elaborate cover art for this cd were probably created by Steve and Terry Douglas, who used to live on the 800 block of China Street.
Steve Douglas, who has a long and colorful music history in Richmond, now lives in Australia and plays with an internationally touring ska band called The Resignators. The title refers to Hollywood Cemetery, where several presidents are buried.
Besides the relatively new cd format, the titles and music reflect a time when Richmond was still a gritty, donut hole of a city, the music scene was loosely based around Grace St. in midtown, and downtown was all but abandoned. Oregon Hill was wilder.
A New Year’s salute to alumni of the ‘Byrd Watcher’ and community news efforts everywhere.
This is a good time to remind readers and residents that the editor of OregonHill.net is open to submissions and contributions.
From James RIver Park staff:
Join us for a family friendly hike to one of Richmond’s historic gems, Belle Isle. Learn about the geologic and human history of the area and the role Richmond played in the development of our nation. Please bring water, a snack and good shoes.
Parking:
Street parking on 5th street
Belle Isle parking lot
Tredegar parking lot $3 per hour or $18 for the dayAges: 8 and Up
Price: $5 or donation
Location: Meet at the visitor sign in the Belle Isle parking lot under the Lee BridgeTo Register contact Tyler Twyford: Tyler.Twyford@richmondgov.com
The Times Dispatch has published a story that celebrates St. Andrew’s School’s 125th Anniversary.
From the article:
“Grace Arents was a visionary,” said Head of School Cynthia Weldon-Lassiter. “We have the opportunity to continue to grow the school in ways that are going to impact the greater community.”
Students have been a part of ongoing anniversary celebrations, including the creation of a mural in the school’s courtyard. That light-blue mural, with a sun and flowers, includes the school’s motto: “Growing with Grace.”