DMFAH Newsletter, July 30, 2021 (Vol. V)

Mary B. Yancy House and Grasty Library Historical Highway Marker Unveiling Ceremony

Did you know that the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History was not always a museum, but served as a “whites only” library from 1928-1971? During the civil rights movement – in early April 1960 – a group of African American students staged a sit-in at the Sutherlin Main Street Library, demanding equal rights. On May 20, the city closed both the main street library at the Sutherlin Mansion, and the African American Grasty Library because of this incident. However, following a ruling in federal court, the libraries were reopened in September of 1960. In 1971, when plans for a new Ruby B. Archie Library were underway, the Danville Chapter of the Virginia Museum petitioned the city for use of the residence to establish a Museum of Fine Arts and History. The museum opened in 1974. In 2019, the Museum installed the first permanent Civil Rights Timeline, outlining the Sutherlin-Grasty libraries and how these two libraries changed the course of history.

On July 30 at 10am, Museum Director Elsabe Dixon, accompanied by summer interns Jameea Crews and Kei’Andra Fitzgerald attended the Marker Ceremony at the former Grasty Library site next to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Phi Omega Chapter House on 320 Holbrook Street. Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones, opened the marker ceremony introducing local officials, and councilor James Buckner read a statement from councilman Sherman Saunders. Saunders underlined that this was a marker for all the history that we have endured, and will continue to make, for years to come.

This 24^th city marker ceremony at the Grasty Library site this week will give a historic reference for years to come, and bear witness to the first conversations that challenged segregation. Dr. Angela Hairston (Superintendent of Danville Public Schools), Gayle Breakley (AKA President) and Karice Luck Brimmer, also spoke during the unveiling ceremony, while surrounded by school teachers and retired school teachers as well as community leaders. The Sorority Alpha Kappa, Alpha Phi Omega Chapter, sponsored this marker. The Virginia Department of Historical Resources approved the marker in December of 2019, and it was erected in 2020. But because of the Pandemic the ceremony program could not take place before this week.

https://fb.watch/757m9lXA81

The Attic Sale Countdown Begins!

The Attic Sale installation week is finally here!

We look forward to seeing Attic Sale Committee members and Volunteers at the museum on Monday, August 2, from 10am to 11am to begin setting up. The GW High School football team(15 big strong guys) will be loading the truck in the River District (our storage site) from 11 AM-2PM, so we need to be ready, with tables set up, by 11:45 AM to start unpacking. The Attic Sale Team would like to invite you to help set up – so do not be shy - sign up as a volunteer!!! Treasures are abundant!! Come help out and you might get a pre-view. DMFAH thanks Dave Corp and the DHS for helping us collect and store the Attic Sale Items throughout this last year. We thank the Wednesday Club for their Attic Sale contributions and we thank Fred Meder for his tremendous generosity and support with moving all the items.

If you can't make it out to volunteer on Monday, any day until Friday will be greatly appreciated!!! 

Yours truly,

Helen Earle (Chair of the Attic Sale Committee)

Great Presentation by Dr. Stephanie Lovely at the Rotary this week!

Riverview Rotary Club welcomed Dr. Stephanie Lovely, Parks and Recreation Facilities and Services Planner, as guest speaker for the July 29^th meeting. Danville Parks and Recreation is working on a master plan for our neighborhood parks and each park is unique.

The DMFAH hopes to work with Parks and Recreation on another community engagement summer program in 2022.  

We would like to propose a community art, culture and environment engagement for five parks. The DMFAH is currently looking for partners to bring this 5 x 5 Studio in the Park program together. After the success of WANDERLOVE: A Stitch in Time we would like to renew our commitment to public art, using public spaces as an outdoor museum, where art can encounter us on our daily walks and errands. Untapped public spaces can become coveted outdoor galleries.

If your organization is interested in partnering, please reach out to Elsabe Dixon at elsabe@danvillemuseum.org.

To find out more about Danville’s Neighborhood Parks Program and what is being planned please see this link: https://www.danville-va.gov/2132/Evans-Park

Ceramic Classes by Jonathan Scollo

2021 Class Schedule

Session 5: August 30 - October 4

Session 6: October 25 - November 29



Call or email for additional details

The Forms In Clay class is designed for beginers to advance students. The Swanson Studio is equipped for handbuilding and wheel throwing, and utilizes a electric kiln for firing.

The beginner student will learn the 3 basic handbuiding techniques and if interested an introduction to wheel throwing. Intermediate students and advance students have the flexibility to follow there own artistic direction. Forms created in class range from functional vases, bowls etc. to non- functional sculptural art pieces. For more information or to sign up email or call 434-792-5355 9:00am-5:30pm 

The end of the Otterbots season this coming week…



Lets talk about Danville baseball history!!! Did you know that Hall-of-Famer (1986), Willie Le McCovey played first base with the Danville Leafs here for one season (1956) ?

Professional baseball first made its appearance in Danville in 1905 when the town fielded a team, the Tobacconists, in the short-lived Class C Virginia–North Carolina League. Several other professional teams came and went in the town, but it was not until 1925 that the name "Leafs" was first used. The name refers to the famous tobacco leaf markets of the town. The Leafs, who played in the Piedmont League, relocated during the 1926 season, again leaving Danville without professional baseball.

A new Leafs team was formed in 1934 as a member of the Class D Bi-State League. The team remained a part of that league, which included teams from towns along both sides of the North Carolina-Virginia border, for five seasons. The Leafs won pennants in 1934 and 1935.

In 1945, another incarnation of the Danville Leafs took the field as members of the newly formed Carolina League. They were a member of the New York Giants (San Francisco Giants) farm system. The team existed through the 1958 season.

Professional baseball returned to Danville in 1993-2019, when the Pulaski Braves of the rookie level Appalachian League relocated to Danville as the Danville Braves. A farm team of the Atlanta Braves, the team was the starting point for many players who went on to the major leagues.

(source: Wikipedia & Baseball-Reference.com)

Photo:“Old Days”18yr old Willie McCovey as a member of the Danville Leafs of the Carolina League In 1956.