Fredericksburg Parent

www.FredericksburgParent.NET 21 Fredericksburg Parent has partnered with Feltman Brothers to give away not one but three unique Feltman Brothers Christmas outfits. We have a 9-month-old boy white pantaloon outfit, hand smocked in red and green, a white 12-month, hand smocked girls dress and a 3T holiday sweater set in ecru, red and green. These retail for $85 each. We are running a giveaway contest on Facebook and Instagram for these adorable outfits. Beginning November 15th, comment and share on our pages and you will be entered to win in a random drawing on November 24th. Happy Holidays! And a huge thank you to Feltman Brothers! Fredericksburg Parent and Feltman Brothers Growing Up on Historic Ground: 1103 Winchester Street WRITTEN BY MARTIN DAVIS If you are looking for interesting buildings to show your family over Thanksgiving, consider checking out 1103 Winchester Street. The build- ing first housed a church and later served as a community gathering place for Black residents during segregation. The structure at 1103 Winchester St. has been an important gathering spot for Black residents in the Fredericksburg area since the late 1800s, functioning as a church, a canteen for Black children, and a USO site for Black soldiers during World War II. According to 2017 research by Roger Engels for the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation's marker program, the property was originally part of the Kenmore estate and was sold to George and Albert Ray, Black resi- dents of the city, in 1874. Albert Ray, a teacher in segre- gated schools in Fredericksburg and Falmouth, ran for City Council in 1876. He was also a pastor and led a group that split from Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) to form Second Baptist Church in 1878. He sold a portion of his property on Winchester Street to the church, which built a 28-by-36-foot structure that now forms the front part of the present-day house. However, the church was never financially successful, and the building was sold in 1910 to Robert Harris, a grocer. In 1925, it was purchased by the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World, often called the "colored Elks," according to the marker research. The Elks used the building for their meetings, and it became a community hub for other Black residents during segregation. Black troops stationed at Fort A.P. Hill during World War II gathered there for USO programming, and the site hosted a canteen for Black youth beginning in at least 1945. In August of that year, The Free Lance–Star reported that Lorraine Ferguson was "crowned queen of the two colored playgrounds in the city" at a ceremony held at the Winchester Street canteen. In February 1950, the paper reported that the city's Recreation Commission was seeking other buildings to serve as the canteen's head- quarters. Gladys Todd, the canteen's supervisor, told the commission that the Elks building on Winchester Street was too cramped, with ceilings too low for basketball. However, seven years later, articles in The Free Lance–Star suggest that the canteen was still active at the Winchester Street building. The local Elks lodge ceased operations in the 1990s, and in 2007, the building was sold to James Jarrell and his wife as an investment, accord- ing to the marker research. The Jarrells initially planned to demolish the structure but discovered it was in good condition. They decided to convert the building into a dwelling. More information about HFFI's marker program, including eligibility and application details, can be found on the organization's website, at hffi.org. You can also visit its gift shop at 1200 Caroline Street for historical gifts for the holidays.

• Cover