An African American Haven Becomes Reality

An African American Haven Becomes Reality. . , "Now our children have a place to play; our adults have a place to enjoy their evenings in beauty and splendor." , Rev. T.J. Jemison upon the dedication of the park, July 4, 1947, From Plantation to Park, In 1947, exactly a century after the death of John Howe Peyton, whose prosperous plantation was made possible through large numbers of enslaved African Americans who labored for him, that former estate became one of Virginia's finest recreational facilities for the African American community., Until the Civil Rights era of the 1960s, African Americans in the Jim Crow South lived under harsh social and legal laws that created a separate and very unequal society. That was as true for this area as it was elsewhere. However, in 1947, thanks to the perseverance and leadership of Staunton's African American community, a beacon of light was created in the form of Montgomery Hall Park., A Park of Their Own, While the area's White residents had enjoyed Gypsy Hill Park well before the 20th century, African Americans, were allowed to visit the park just one day a year at summer's end. By the 1940s, Gypsy Hill sported a golf course, bandstand, picnic areas, and pool. On the day after the African American community used the pool, the water was drained, and it was closed for the season., Shortly after World War II, Black community leaders began pushing to visit Gypsy Hill Park more often, but Staunton City Council rejected the idea. Other African American leaders, such as Dr. Charles Waller, an eminent physician, and Rev. T.J. Jemison, of Mount Zion Baptist Church, suggested instead that the city give the community its own park. In 1946, the city purchased 150 acres and the mansion house known as Montgomery Hall for $42,500 and turned the facility over to the African American community, putting Rev. Jemison in charge of a new "Negro Recreation Committee." George Taylor was his assistant., Montgomery Hall Park Opens, The formal dedication of Montgomery Hall Park took place on July 4, 1947. Approximately 1,500 people of all races attended. Gates opened at 10 a.m. with a day of fun activities that included volleyball, ping-pong, croquet, horseshoes, bowling, and softball. An afternoon matinee was held with an admission charge of 35 cents. At 8 p.m., Staunton Mayor William Grubert officially turned the park over to the "Negro Committee," in a short ceremony and reception. George Taylor, vice-chairman of the park committee, told the crowd that the park was a "dream realized.", (Captions):, A crowd gathers for a DuPont employee picnic at the park., Dr. Charles Waller, Rev. T.J. Jemison, Kenneth Jones, community leader and member of the original Montgomery Hall Park Recreation Committee, speaks to the crowd during the park dedication ceremonies on July 4, 1947.