Unearthing the Forgotten History of St Luke, Odd Fellows, and Household of Ruth Hall in Blacksburg, Virginia
Tucked away in history, the St Luke, Odd Fellows, and Household of Ruth Hall stands as a vital cornerstone of a once-thriving African American community. Now, nearly erased by gentrification and institutional expansion, its legacy remains largely forgotten. This hall, the last surviving structure of a once-segregated neighborhood, tells the story of resilience, displacement, and the ongoing struggle for historical preservation.
Explore the Early History of St Luke, Odd Fellows & the Household of Ruth
A Pillar of the Community
For generations, the Hall served as a social, economic, and cultural hub for African Americans in Blacksburg. The St Luke, Odd Fellows, and Household of Ruth organizations provided mutual aid, financial support, and social connections to Black residents in Blacksburg and the surrounding area during an era when segregation denied them access to many essential services. Through community gatherings, educational programs, and advocacy, the Hall became a symbol of self-reliance and empowerment.
Gentrification and Displacement
The neighborhood surrounding the Hall flourished despite systemic barriers, but change came swiftly and with devastating impact. As Virginia Tech expanded and the demand for student housing increased, long-time Black residents found themselves pushed out. Real estate developers targeted the area, dismantling homes and displacing families in favor of cheap student housing. What was once a tight-knit community was transformed, leaving the Hall standing as the last testament to a vanished neighborhood.
The Final Blow: Acquisition and Erasure
Despite its historical significance, the neighborhood could not withstand the forces of redevelopment. Real estate investors destroyed or moved homes, eventually selling the land to the Virginia Tech Foundation. Today, nearly every inch of the once-thriving Black neighborhood is covered by new university buildings, erasing physical traces of a rich history that deserves to be remembered.
Remembering and Honoring the Legacy
While the Hall is now owned by the Town of Blacksburg and rented by the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation, its story has been minimized. The history of the people who built, stewarded, and cared for the Hall—and who were integral to the communities of the past—has been largely forgotten. Efforts to reclaim and document this history continue through storytelling, historical research, and community initiatives. Recognizing the contributions of Black communities in the face of systemic erasure is crucial to understanding the full scope of our shared past.
Friends of St Luke, Odd Fellows & Household of Ruth
We invite community members, historians, and activists to join in preserving and sharing this history. If you have stories, photographs, or documents related to the St Luke, Odd Fellows, and Household of Ruth Hall, we encourage you to contribute to ongoing efforts to honor and remember the legacy of this vital community landmark.
