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[Identification of item], Walker-Wood Families Papers (WLU Coll. 0294), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA
The Walker and Wood families were prominent African-American families during the 20th century in Lexington, Virginia.
C. M. (Clarence Mosby) Wood was born on June 27, 1889 in Middlesex County, Va. He married to Nannie Elizabeth Walker on June 18, 1919. They were married for 48 years. C. M. and Nannie lived in Lexington, Va. in their home named Blandome. After marrying Nannie, C. M. joined his father-in-law, Harry L. Walker, as his business partner and eventual successor. C. M. edited the
Nannie Walker Wood was born in Rockbridge County, Va. on January 7, 1900 to Harry L. Walker and Eliza Bannister Walker. She was a member of First Baptist Church for 86 years. She attended school in Lexington, Va. and Hartshorn College for Women in Richmond which later became part of Virginia Union University where she met her future husband, C. M. (Clarence Mosby) Wood. She and C. M. were married on June 18, 1919. They were married for 48 years. During her lifetime, Nannie was affiliated with the following organizations: the Helen Gooch Memorial Missionary Society, the Lady's Auxiliary of First Baptist Church, the Garden Club, the Six O'Clock Club, and the NAACP. Nannie and C. M. had six children. After her husband's death, she managed the family businesses. Nannie died June 18, 1993.
Harry Lee Walker (1875-1941) was the father of Nannie Walker Wood. He married Eliza Bannister. Walker was a butcher who established a successful business selling meat to Washington and Lee, the Virginia Military Institute, and fraternities. He expanded his business to include groceries and seafood, and invested in real estate. Eliza Bannister Walker (1874-1939) was a nurse at the Freedman's hospital in Washington, D. C. and was also a professional singer. Both Harry and Eliza were active in the First Baptist Church and supported various educational and social causes. Eliza was a co-founder of the Virginia Federation of Colored Women.
Blandome is the name of the Walker-Wood home. Built circa 1830, the house's original owner is unknown. It was owned and occupied by a number of white families associated with both Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute. The house was purchased circa 1917 by Harry L. and Eliza Walker. Described as a colonial manse, the house sat on a three acre lot. The property included the main residence as well as cottages and cabins that were available to rent by clubs, organizations, and tourists. Clarence and Nannie Wood next owned Blandome and raised their children there. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
This collection includes photographs, ephemera, clippings, correspondence, and printed material created and/or acquired by members of the Walker and Wood families, specifically Harry L. and Eliza Walker and their daughter Nannie and her husband Clarence. Subjects include the Walker-Wood Brothers meat and grocery business, the family home Blandome, properties owned by the families, First Baptist Church, and social organizations in Lexington and Roanoke such as the NAACP and the Virginia Federation of Colored Women. Several of the photographs date to the late 19th century and feature multiple generations of both families. Of particular note are photographs of Freedman's Hospital nurses and a unit of Buffalo soldiers. The families were very active in advocating for the education of African American children in Lexington, and this collection reflects that. The collection includes documents related to the advocacy for and development of Lylburn Downing School and the organization of the Home and School League.
The collection is arranged into series: Walker Family, Wood Family, Blandome House, Walker-Wood Brothers Business, African American Education in Lexington, Churches, Social Activities and Recreation, and Other Files. Other Files refers to material that did not fit within another series.
Donated by Alex and Freddye Wood in 2005.
Front cover includes an image of Eliza and three orphaned children: one born without hands, one cannot walk, and one cannot talk per the description
Walker was memorialized at this NAACP banquet held in Roanoke, Virginia. The biographical note describes how Walker supported the Civil Rights movement.
Includes a typescript plea to the white citizens of Lexington who hired outside servant help
While a student at Hartshorn Memorial College
Eliza Walker's father
Eliza Walker's sister
C Troop, 9th Cavalry Spelled Banister on headstone
Includes images of Harry L. and Eliza Walker, Nannie Walker, Harry T. Walker, and extended family including relatives of Harry L. and Eliza such as parents and siblings.
Includes images of Harry L. and Eliza Walker, Nannie Walker, Harry T. Walker, and extended family including relatives of Harry L. and Eliza such as parents and siblings.
A profile portrait image of Clarence in cap and gown while a student at Virginia Union University that was originally part of a larger composite photograph. Also included is a photograph of an unidentified student also in a cap and gown and a photograph of Pickford Hall.
A group photograph that includes Clarence with his co-workers in the service industry at a job he held during the summer to earn money for his education.
A postcard photograph that includes Clarence with his fellow football players. On the back is a message written by him to Jack Wood of Norfolk, Va.
Properties: Blandome, tenant dwelling, Dari Delite building, Esso Station, Baker-Ford Sales, Buddy's Place, Fuller Street dwelling
Personal expenses, income from rental properties including the Willson-Walker building
Student paper written for Art 107: American Architecture at Washington and Lee
The building was later called the Willson-Walker House
Clarence M. Wood was secretary. Organization was formed at the encouragement of Rev. W. N. Holt. The first meeting was held at Blandome. The purpose was to better education for African Americans in Lexington.
THE LEXINGTON STAR was a African American newspaper that aimed to promote public support for the education of African American children. Clarence Wood was the editor. This is the first issue printed. In addition to the full issue is the front half of the same.
copy prints and photocopies of school classes and buildings, original print of the 7th grade First Aid class at Lylburn Downing School
The circa 1890s photograph is a Michael Miley image of the Pastor and congregation posed in Miley's studio.
Per Alex Wood in 2007, photograph might include Reverend Lucas and his wife. He further noted that the woman next to last in the first seated row was Charlotte Harvey, Nannie's cousin. Charlotte was born into slavery, and in 1865 when she was six, she was hanging on a gate when "Yankees" came and freed her. Wood said that Charlotte remembered this all of her life. She was in the Harrisonburg area when she was freed.
Includes bulletin, funeral programs, a church manual, a Thanksgiving souvenir, cantata program, a broadside for Congressman Oscar De Priest event, and broadside for a musical and vocal contest
Original prints of the Roanoake, Va. Link Chapter (October 1950), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Members (1955)
Copy print of the Rose Inn (print made circa 2008)
June 8, 1929 letter written by former VMI cadet, John G. James stating that he entered VMI in 1862 and was at the Battle of New Market. He donated money towards helping the Walker Club Colored Cemetery and asks that a rose bush be placed at the grave of the African American head cook at VMI should he be buried there who was known as "Judge" by the cadets. James does use racist language in describing this individual.
May 22, 1935 letter to H. H. Bozeman of Lexington from the Stonewall Jackson Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America informing him that the Lexington District Council voted against forming a troop of African American Boy Scouts.
February 25, 1936 letter to the Rockbride Walker Club from W. F. Day of Knoxville, Tenn. inquiring for information about his wife's family.
Several of the clippings are specific to family members and/or events documented elsewhere in the collection.
Includes ticket for "Septha and His Daughter" at the Lyric Theater to benefit Jackson Hospital (June 2, 1925), an undated envelope that once housed a midwife permit, the McCormick Celebration program (September 25, 1931) among other items.
Includes original prints featuring Col. Kerlin of VMI
This paper is under copyright and cannot be digitized and made available in full online.
Washington and Lee University student Sociology term paper
This paper is under copyright and cannot be digitized in full and made available online.
Washington and Lee student paper for Architecture 107
This item is under copyright and cannot be digitized and made available online in full.
Student paper for Dell Upton's American Vernacular Architecture Class (UVa.?)
Southern Literary Messenger (August 1839), The University Monthly: A Journal of School and Home Education (March 1871), Washington and Lee University broadside (December 8, 1874), The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography (July 1989)
Coretta Scott King cover
Includes William Caruthers, Elinor Paxton, and other Lexington/Rockbridge individuals
These letters may have been found by the Walker family they moved into Blandome, which was once owned by the Tuckers.
re: establishment of the fire engine company