Venable in Charlottesville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Washington Park: Separate and Unequal

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 3, 2021

1. Washington Park: Separate and Unequal Marker

Inscription. After the abolition of slavery, African Americans still confronted racial prejudice. Schools, churches, transportation, parks, and other public spaces became segregated by practice and by law. In 1919 Paul Goodloe McIntire (1860-1952), a merchant and philanthropist, built Charlottesville's first public library, open only to white residents. In 1962 he generously donated land for public parks. Across the street from Holt's house, McIntire established the 9.2-acre Washington Park for "colored" citizens. A mile north, McIntire Park, with 92 acres, served "whites." Charlottesville's parks and schools were not integrated until 1959.

Erected by Legal Aid Justice Center. (Marker Number 5.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 38° 2.378′ N, 78° 29.506′ W. Marker is in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is in Venable. It is on Preston Avenue just south of Rosser Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1010 Preston Ave, Charlottesville VA 22903, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: An American Dream: Home Ownership (here, next to this marker); Holt In Charlottesville: Work and Success

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(here, next to this marker); Holt's Architecture (a few steps from this marker); Charles B. Holt: Born Into Freedom (a few steps from this marker); Asalie Minor Preston: Teacher & Philanthropist (a few steps from this marker); C.B. Holt Rock House (a few steps from this marker); Changes in Holt's Neighborhood (within shouting distance of this marker); Legal Aid Justice Center and the Holt House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottesville.

Additional keywords. segregation, Jim Crow era

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 3, 2021

2. Washington Park: Separate and Unequal Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 553 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.