Providence Forge 1931

Providence Forge 1931
photograph of Providence Forge looking south from Railroad tracks- 1931
Showing posts with label segregation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label segregation. Show all posts

Friday, November 18, 2022

Returning Heroes 1919- Pt. III

 

New Kent News 

ROXBURY, VA July K.—August 7 has been set as the date for the big home-coming reception to be tendered the fighting men of our section and arrangements are being made to have the occasion one of the biggest events ever held in New Kent county. The whole county is urged to take part. Music, both vocal and instrumental, will enliven the occasion, it is expected that prominent speakers will be present, A dinner will be served the boys in the evening. Members of the Red Cross chapters of the county win that they ere amply provided With the good things for which old Virginia is famed. Every white soldier of New Kent is expected to be present and bring with him those he holds most dear. Arrangements have been made to take care of New Kent’s colored soldiers at a date which leading members of their race will shortly announce. This is a county celebration and the whole county is asked to give it full support.


-Evening Journal,  15 July 1919



 New Kent Welcomes Soldiers. 

WEST POINT. VA . August 8 Thursday was a gala day at New Kent Courthouse, when the county and surrounding counties met to honor the  returning soldiers in a great picnic, giving to the soldiers and their friends a cordial welcome. Notwithstanding the very hot weather people from all over the section and from Richmond were astir early to attend the rally. Many West Point people went. 


-Richmond Times-Dispatch, 8 August 1919


You will notice that despite the "whole county being urged to take part," the homecoming celebration was segregated. Unfortunately I have been unable to find any mention of any other celebration. 


Friday, May 29, 2015

"Such delays are no longer tolerable, . . ."


Samuel W. Tucker, who argued the petitioners case before the high court

Good piece over at the Tidewater Review on the historic, and yet fairly unknown Green v. County Board of New Kent Decision of 1968 . . .

'Fewer than 50 years ago, New Kent was a segregated county where black children went to George W. Watkins School and white students went to New Kent High School.
"It was us and them," said Barbara Sayles, 64, of the feeling segregation created among students in the county. She graduated . . .'

Read the full court decision here . . .