Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
True Friends Of Charity
September, 1870
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 31, 2024
1. True Friends Of Charity Marker
Here, on May 27, 1991, Sterling Barnard, a building supervisor for Blair Construction, Inc. discovered a Time Capsule during the demolition of part of the old Thalhimers Building. The capsule - an 8 x 8 x 16 inch granite block with the marble top inscribed, "True Friends of Charity, Sept. 1870" - contained four newspapers, a Bible from a Civil War ship and numerous coins, artifacts and other small documents. It also contained the script of a memorial service for the Rev. Harrison Scott, the first pastor of what was Loyal Street Baptist Church. The "True Friends of Charity" was an organization of blacks, many presumably freed slaves, who patterned their by-laws after those of the Masonic Order. This was the site of the groups first meeting place.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Time Capsules series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1870.
Location. 36° 35.209′ N, 79° 23.553′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It can be reached from the intersection of Patton Street and Court street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 510 Patton Street, Danville VA 24541, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia and specifically 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.
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Lady Astor Rose (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 31, 2024
2. True Friends Of Charity Marker
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 13, 2024
3. Danville Social Services Building
The Marker is located on a retaining wall in the parking lot of the Danville Social Services Building
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, March 22, 2025
4. Time Capsule Contents
This metal rail, currently on display in the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, was recovered from the True Friends of Charity time capsule. The Museum information mistakenly reports the time capsule was opened in 1970 rather than 1991.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 3, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 4. submitted on May 10, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
