The Montgomery Hall Park Recreation Committee

The Montgomery Hall Park Recreation Committee. . , "The committee drew up a number of recommendations to the council for operations of the park." , First Montgomery Hall Park Committee minutes entry, May 6, 1947, The Community Takes Charge, The far-reaching success of Montgomery Hall Park rests squarely on the shoulders of the hard working and visionary Montgomery Hall Park Recreation Committee, chosen from the African American community. Staunton's City Council placed full control for the park operation and maintenance under the auspices of the park committee that then set park rules, established programs, hired employees, oversaw repairs and improvements, and created budgets. The city gave the park a limited budget, but money for most improvements, equipment, and other extras came from admission fees, concession stand sales, and other fundraising activities., Although the formal dedication of the new park took place on July 4, 1947, the recreation committee had already been in place for months as it embraced the process of converting a dairy farm into a community park. The park committee took its job seriously and recorded everything it did in a notebook. From 1947 until the fall of 1969, when integration brought the park into the mainstream of the city system, details of the park's history were faithfully recorded in that book. Today that worn notebook represents the written history of Montgomery Hall during its period as an African American park., The Community Pitches In, From the very beginning, the private community, both Black and White, helped make the park a success. Initial gifts to the park during its opening season came from 26 different individuals and businesses and included, in addition to cash, dishes, card tables, paint, chairs, a painting, a flower vase, records, curtains, smoking stands, magazines, books, and a piano., Park Leaders, The members of the African American community who served in both volunteer and staff leadership roles year after year at Montgomery Hall created a recreational haven known across the state. The recreation committee usually consisted of four members as well as a president, treasurer, and secretary. Terms were for five years. Those who served on the committee over the years included Helen Becks, James Becks, Rev. Julius Carroll, Gertrude Caul, Dr. John Chiles, Irene Givens, Roy Kincaid, Alonzo Harden, A.N. Jackson, Rev. T.J. Jemison, Kenneth Jones, John Miller, George Taylor, and Dr. Charles Waller., Serving in park supervisory capacities were Givens, Catherine Jones, Lelia Dawson, Mae Dawson, and Shirley William. Athletic directors included Earl Brown, Edward Coleman, Alphonso Hamilton, and Jackson. John Johnston was the resident caretaker for much of the park's existence., (Captions):, Staunton newspaper article announcing the 1951 summer opening of Montgomery Hall Park. The article notes that "Since the beginning it [the park] has been operated by a committee of Negro citizens, now headed by John T. Miller.", Montgomery Park letterhead from the 1950s., Minutes from the first meeting of the Montgomery Hall Park Recreation Committee., A 1958 letter from the Augusta Rockingham Girl Scout Council to the park committee requesting permission to "operate their Day Camp for colored Girl Scouts at Montgomery Hall Park again this year."