A Beacon of Light Across Virginia

A Beacon of Light Across Virginia. . , "The dance hall was the most popular activity." Community member Bertie Pannell, Visitors from Across the State, The significance of Montgomery Hall Park in the Jim Crow era stretched across Virginia. The segregated park was one of a handful within the state and stood out because of its size and amenities such as the mansion house, pool, ballfields, and even a bowling alley. Spaces were available for a variety of indoor and outdoor gatherings such as vesper services and dances. Activities included camping, swimming, tennis, horseshoes, croquet, ballgames, and picnicking., Local visitors as well as those from across the state crowded into the park and total summer visitation often topped 18,000. It was not unusual for buses from places such as Roanoke, Clifton Forge, Charlottesville, and Lynchburg to make the day-long visit to Staunton. Groups of up to 50 children were often brought from Rockbridge County. Scouting and 4-H groups also came from across the state for overnight camping trips and weeklong gatherings., Expanding Facilities, Thanks to the dedication of the Montgomery Hall Park committee, the facilities continued to expand. Barbeque pits and a camping area were created, and parking lots and sidewalks were constructed. In 1948, tennis courts were added. The pool opened in 1949. Outdoor basketball courts were built in 1956. Much of the mansion house was transformed into a recreation center. Special rooms were created for Girl Scouts, the VFW, and women's clubs. In addition, there was an expanded kitchen, a first aid room, a game room, an 1,800-book library, and a dance hall., (Captions):, A woman and her child visit the park, probably in 1948 because construction for the tennis courts that opened that year is happening behind them., A social gathering inside the mansion house.