Olde Huntersville in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

United Order of Tents

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 8, 2022

1. United Order of Tents Marker

Inscription. The United Order of Tents of J.R. Giddings and Jollifee Union, founded by and for African American women, emerged from efforts to aid enslaved people who sought freedom along the Underground Railroad. Annetta M. Lane and Harriet R. Taylor, who had both been enslaved, formally organized the Tents' Southern District #1 in Norfolk shortly after the Civil War. A Christian mutual aid society, the Tents provided financial assistance and burial insurance, established nursing homes, sponsored scholarships, supported civil rights activists, and aided mission work abroad. National membership grew to about 50,000 in the 20th century. This property became the headquarters of Southern District #1 in 1913.

Erected 2022 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KV-38.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Civil Rights • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 36° 51.748′ N, 76° 16.706′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Olde Huntersville. It is on Church Street 0.1 miles south of Fremont Street,

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on the right when traveling north. Marker located in front of the United Order of Tents, Southern District #1 headquarters building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1620 Church St, Norfolk VA 23504, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

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: Ella J. Baker (within shouting distance of this marker); Elmwood Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Cedar Grove Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Elmwood Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away);

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 8, 2022

2. United Order of Tents Marker

Attucks Theater Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); West Point Monument at Elmwood Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); West Point Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Attucks Theatre (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Also see . . . United Order of Tents. (Submitted on July 9, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,101 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 9, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.