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Gainsboro Library Photography Collection

Dublin Core

Title

Gainsboro Library Photography Collection

Description

The Gainsboro Library Photography Collection consists of approximately 100 black-and-white and color photographic prints. The black-and-white prints vary in size between 2 ½ x 3 ½” and 8 x 10”and include various oversized prints. Color images vary between 3 ½ x 4 ¼” and 8 x 10”. The collection consists of various subjects including images that document the history of the Gainsboro Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries; group portraits of African-American social clubs and sports teams; portraits of prominent Roanoke African-Americans, including, but not limited to: doctors, dentists, funeral home directors, clergymen, teachers and librarians; and images of various points-of-interest in Roanoke’s Gainsboro neighborhood, including churches, schools and institutions. The collection also contains a number of photographs donated by prominent Roanoke African-American families, including the Claytor and Downing families. Although most of the photographers and provenance of the collection’s images are unknown, those with known attribution are noted. While a majority of images in the collection are represented on this database, others are not. A complete index of all images is available at the Gainsboro Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries.

Publisher

Roanoke Public Libraries

Contributor

Gainsboro Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries

Rights

Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.

Collection Items

GB01 Dr. Lawrence E. Paxton
Dr. Lawrence E. Paxton operated a dental practice on Wells Avenue.

GB03 Lucy Addison High School Majorettes
Lucy Addison High School Majorettes in front of the Gainsboro Library.

GB04 Lucy Addison High School Girls' Basketball Team
Lucy Addison High School Girls' basketball team.

GB06 Burrell Memorial Hospital
Unidentified function on the grounds of Burrell Memorial Hospital.

GB08 W. F. Hughes
W. F. Hughes of Hughes Funeral Home.

GB09 Nursing staff of Burrell Memorial Hospital
The nursing staff of Burrell Memorial Hospital at an unidentified function on the hospital's grounds.

GB12 Dr. J. H. Roberts
Dr. James H. Roberts was a co-founder of Burrell Memorial Hospital, Magic City Medical Society, and the William A. Hunton YMCA.

GB10 Lucy Addison High School Football Game
Lucy Addison High School football game at Victory Stadium.

GB13 C. C. Williams
Christopher Chamberlin Williams of Williams Funeral Home, now Serenity Funeral Home. Mr. Williams served on the Board of Trustees for both the Gainsboro Library and the William A. Hunton YMCA.

GB16 African American Railroad Workers
African American railroad workers.

GB17 Harrison School Boys Choir
Harrison School Boys choir.

GB18 Oliver Hill
Civil rights attorney Oliver W. Hill in front of his childhood home at 401 Gilmer Avenue, now the Oliver Hill House.

GB21 First Baptist Church Gainsboro, interior
Interior of the original sancuary of the First Baptist Church in Gainsboro. The building was designed by architect Henry Harwell Huggins and was located at 407 North Jefferson Street. A cornerstone for the church was laid and ground was broken in…

GB23 Freemasons Group
African American Freemasons group.

GB24 Virginia Y. Lee
Virginia Y. Lee was the Gainsboro Library's fourth librarian (1928 – 1971). She was born on November 22, 1906 in McComas, West Virginia and raised in Roanoke, Virginia. She graduated Valedictorian from Lucy Addison High School in 1924 and earned her…

GB25 Virginia Y. Lee
Virginia Y. Lee was the Gainsboro Library's fourth librarian (1928 – 1971). She was born on November 22, 1906 in McComas, West Virginia and raised in Roanoke, Virginia. She graduated Valedictorian from Lucy Addison High School in 1924 and earned her…

GB29 Lucy Addison
Lucy Addison was born enslaved in Fauquier County, Virginia on December 8, 1861. After graduating from the Quaker-run Institute for Colored Youth in Philadelphia in 1882 with a degree in teaching, Addison began her life-long career as an educator. …

GB30 Daisy Schley
Daisy Schley was a nurse at Burrell Memorial Hospital.

GB31 Dr. John B. Claytor Sr.
Dr. John B. Claytor Sr. was born April 2, 1878 in Floyd County, Virginia. In 1907 Claytor began a medical practice in Roanoke, Virginia. Claytor was a founder of Burrell Memorial Hospital and was Emeritus Chief of the hospital’s department of…

GB32 Dr. John B. Claytor Sr.
Dr. John B. Claytor Sr. was born April 2, 1878 in Floyd County, Virginia. In 1907 Claytor began a medical practice in Roanoke, Virginia. Claytor was a founder of Burrell Memorial Hospital and was Emeritus Chief of the hospital’s department of…

GB33 Dr. F. W. Claytor
Dr. Frank William Claytor was born April 8, 1913 in Roanoke, Virginia. He was the oldest son of Dr. John B. Claytor Sr. and Roberta M. Woodfin Claytor. After graduating from Knoxville College in 1933, Claytor earned his medical degree from Meharry…

GB43 Dr. Ellwood Downing and Mrs. Della Downing
Dr. Ellwood Davis Downing was prominent dentist and civic leader. Downing was born September 9, 1891. He was the son of Rev. Lylburn L. Downing, pastor of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Downing served as an officer in WWI and WWII and was an…

GB44 Bings Social Club
Bings Social Club

GB45 Dr. Elwood Downing
Dr. Ellwood Davis Downing was prominent dentist and civic leader. Downing was born September 9, 1891. He was the son of Rev. Lylburn L. Downing, pastor of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Downing served as an officer in WWI and WWII and was an…

Deacons and Trustees of First Baptist Church Gainsboro
First Baptist Church Gainsboro can trace its origins back to September 30, 1867, when a small congregation held service, led by Rev. Edmond Johnson, in a dwelling on Hart Avenue, establishing the Big Lick Colored Baptist Church. As membership…

GB58 First Baptist Church Gainsboro, interior
First Baptist Church Gainsboro can trace its origins back to September 30, 1867, when a small congregation held service, led by Rev. Edmond Johnson, in a dwelling on Hart Avenue, establishing the Big Lick Colored Baptist Church. As membership…

GB59 Rev. Arthur L. James
Rev. Arthur L. James was born August 1, 1877 in Madison, Florida Howard and Lula James. During WWI James served overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces as secretary under the War Work Council of the Y. M. C. A. From 1918 to 1957, James…

GB60 First Baptist Church Gainsboro, Bible School
First Baptist Church Gainsboro can trace its origins back to September 30, 1867, when a small congregation held service, led by Rev. Edmond Johnson, in a dwelling on Hart Avenue, establishing the Big Lick Colored Baptist Church. As membership…

GB61 Rev. E. E. Ricks
Rev. E. E. Ricks was served as pastor of First Baptist Church Gainsboro from 1915 to 1918.

GB67 Harrison School
Students playing on the basketball court at Harrison School.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually…

GB67.1 Harrison School
Students playing on the basketball court at Harrison School.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually…

GB67.2 Harrison School
Students playing on the basketball court at Harrison School.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually…

GB67.3 Harrison School
Students playing on the basketball court at Harrison School.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually…

GB67.4 Harrison School
Students playing on the basketball court at Harrison School.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually…

GB67.5
Students playing on the basketball court at Harrison School.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually…

GB67.6 Harrison School
Students playing on the basketball court at Harrison School.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually…

GB68 Harrison School
Mr. Thomas Payne's first class.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually expanding the curriculum to…

GB69 Harrison School
Harrison School Faculty 1948/1950.

Harrison School was built in 1916 for the cost of $31,818 and opened in the winter of 1917. Lucy Addison served as the school’s first principal. Addison was responsible for gradually expanding the curriculum to…

GB05
Aladdin Temple #34 on parade, Patton Avenue in front of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.. “Miss Bertha White, Ill. Commandress, Roanoke, VA.”

GB14
Girls’ athletics group and spectators.

GB22
Group photograph with Atwood’s Capitol View Tours bus.

GB28
Virginia Y. Lee and unknown woman.

GB35
Dr. John B. Claytor Jr.

GB36
Dr. Elwood D. Downing, front far left, and an unidentified group of men.

GB37
Group photograph with Ruth Claytor (in light colored coat) in front of Canada’s Ice Cream on Henry Street.

GB39

Left to right: John Claytor III, Sandra Elizabeth Claytor Peery, John B. Claytor Jr., and Ruth Williams Claytor. “Easter 1969.”

GB40
Large group at a long table. Dr. Harry Penn, second from right, back row, plaid suit.

GB41
Group photograph.. Dr. Harry Penn, back row, first from left.

GB71
Dinner at the Hunton Branch YMCA, Gainsboro Road. Circa late 1930’s or Early 1940’s.

GB72
First Baptist Church of Gainsboro. Roy Williams.

GB72.1
First Baptist Church Gainsboro. Rev. Charles Green.

GB72.3
First Baptist Church of Gainsboro. Dr. Noel C. Taylor.

GB73
Bishop L. E. Willis, Wilbert McNair, Shadrack Brown Jr., Samuel Wade, and Norton B. Wilder.

GB73.1
Bishop L. E. Willis and Shadrack Brown Jr.

GB74
Rev. Douglas and unidentified woman.

GB75
Unidentified man playing piano and unidentified woman singing. Far right: Mr. Dowe and third from right: Rev. Edwards.

GB77
Unidentified group photograph in front of a transformer station.

GB77.1
Unidentified group photograph in front of a transformer station.

GB78
Woman’s Professional & Business Club.

GB79
Virginia Y. Lee and unidentified woman in front of the Gainsboro Library.

GB80
Gainsboro Library when it was located in the old Odd Fellows/YMCA Building. Gainsboro Reading Club

GB80.1
Gainsboro Library when it was located in the old Odd Fellows/YMCA Building. “First persons to register at GB.” Right to Left: Mrs. Sally Lawson, C. C. Williams, J. L. Reid, Mrs. E. R. Dudley, Rev. A. L. James, Dr. E. R. Dudley and Mrs. Ida Closs

GB81
Virginia Y. Lee at the Gainsboro Library.

GB87
Ebenezer A. M. E. Church.

GB91
Order of the Eastern Star group photograph in front of the Allegany-Dunbar Freemason’s Prince Hall.

GB93
Order of the Eastern Star group photograph.

GB94
Burrell Memorial Hospital. Construction of the 1955 building.

GB94.1
Burrell Memorial Hospital. Construction of the 1955 building.

GB94.2
Burrell Memorial Hospital. Construction of the 1955 building.

GB94.3
Burrell Memorial Hospital. Construction of the 1955 building.

GB94.4
Burrell Memorial Hospital. Construction of the 1955 building.

GB94.5
Burrell Memorial Hospital. Construction of the 1955 building.

GB94.6
Burrell Memorial Hospital. Construction of the 1955 building.

GB95
Rev. Arthur L. James, First Baptist Church.

GB96
Ella F. Bowden, First Librarian of the Gainsboro Library, 1921-1923.

GB97
Group portrait of teachers. Front row seated, second from left, Mattie Bell Morris; third from left, Sadie Lawson; front row seated, first on right, Marie Bailey; third from right, Ms. Hackley. Back row, fourth from left, Ms. Hackley.

GB98
Teachers on an Appalachian Electric Power Company Tour. First from left, Hollis Williams (Carver High); fourth from left, unnamed but identified as a Home Economics teacher at Addison; first from right, Coach Cannanday (Carver High); third from…

GB99
Gainsboro School First Grade Class 1946. Teacher Mattie Bell Morris (back row).

GB100
Group of women in formal attire in front of a stage with instruments.

GB101
Unidentified group photograph at night.

GB102
Unidentified group photograph of women.

GB103
Unidentified group photograph of men at a table.

GB104
Economy Shoe Repair on Henry Street. Shop owner Earnest O. Greene.

GB104.1
Economy Shoe Repair on Henry Street.

GB105
Gainsboro Library, exterior, with a children’s class.

GB106
Children dressed in costume in front of the Gainsboro Library.

GB107
Group of children in front of the Gainsboro Library.

GB108
Gainsboro Library, interior, with a group of library patrons. YMCA location.

GB109
Gainsboro Library, interior. Virginia Y. Lee, center.

GB110
Gainsboro Library, interior, with children.

GB110.1
Gainsboro Library, interior, with children.

GB110.2
Gainsboro Library, interior, with children.

GB111
Gainsboro Library, interior, child sitting at a table.

GB112
Gainsboro Library, interior.

GB112.1
Gainsboro Library, interior.

GB113
Virginia Y. Lee at the Gainsboro Library.

GB114
Library display at the Gainsboro Library.

GB115
Gainsboro Library display with Virginia Y. Lee.

GB116
Young man reaching for a book at the Gainsboro Library

GB117
Children reading books at the Gainsboro Library.

GB118
Children working on a project at the Gainsboro Library.

GB119
Mother and infant at the Gainsboro Library.

GB120
Children posing in front of a Book Week display at the Gainsboro Library.

GB120.1
Children posing in front of a Book Week display at the Gainsboro Library.

GB121
Geneva Ford, library staff member, at the Gainsboro Library.

GB122
Group of children sitting in a room.

GB123
Group of children participating in a pageant or play.

GB124
Group portrait

GB127
St. John’s AME Zion Church.

GB128
St. Gerard’s Catholic Church.

GB130
Millie Paxton.

GB135
Rev. Lylburn L. Downing of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church.

GB136
Gainsboro Library from Gainsboro Rd., St Andrew's Church in background. Two automobiles present.

GB137
"Vacation Reading Club", "Gainsboro Branch Library" stamp, dated Dec.1959

GB138
Gainsboro Branch Library Vacation Reading Club. Not marked as such, but is near replica of GB137. “00907”

GB139
School Picture Outside. “00907.”

GB139.1
School Picture Outside. “00907.”

GB140
School Book Week Set-up

GB141
Church Altar with Pulpit. Color Photograph. “Clark Studio Herman R. Clark Propriet Portrait and Commercial Photography Phone 342-3372 - Phone 342 [blurred] 20 Gilmer Ave., N.W., Roanoke, Va. 24016.”

GB 142
“Old First Baptist Church & St. Andrews Catholic Church, November 3,1990-Roanoke Va.” (Reprint, library owns digital copy only, not original.)

GB143
Old First Baptist Church & St Andrews Catholic Church view from Gainsboro Rd (Reprint, library owns digital copy only, not original.)

GB 144
“Ricardo C. Stovall & Bike on Patton Ave. N.E (Claytor House in Background) about 1959” (Reprint, library owns digital copy only, not original.)

GB145
“Oscar, Jr. Ronald, Patricia Jenkins Artie Lee Otey, Clarence Blake Jr. Ricardo Stovall about 1959” St Andrews Catholic Church in background (Reprint, library owns digital copy only, not original.)
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