About

The Friends of St Luke, Odd Fellows & Household of Ruth are a coalition of community members near and far who deeply care about the preservation of the history and structure of this 1905-06 Hall and the legacy of the people who called this region home. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Mission

The mission of the Friends of St. Luke and Odd Fellows of Blacksburg is to preserve and share the history of the last remaining structure from a historic segregated neighborhood. We aim to honor the community and mutual aid societies through education, engagement, and digital preservation, ensuring this important legacy is remembered and accessible to all.

Goals

The Friends of St. Luke and Odd Fellows of Blacksburg has set forth the following goals:

1. Raise Awareness: Highlight the significance of the St. Luke and Odd Fellows building and artifacts, the last remaining structure from the 1870s African American neighborhood.

2. Inclusive Storytelling: Uncover and share the untold history of the secret and mutual aid societies that thrived in this region from 1890 to the 1960s.

3. Create a Virtual Museum: Develop a virtual platform to preserve and share this history, fostering greater community engagement and accessibility.

4. Educational Opportunities: Offer public education through events like short story competitions, plein air art shows, photography exhibits, and public speaking engagements to promote learning and interaction with this rich history.