History Reinvented: The Stairs to Nowhere
In this new season of History Reinvented we’ll uncover stories of Pine Camp.
In the late 19th century, the 160 acres along the northern border of the city of Richmond was known as the City Farm or City Jail Farm. Later on, Richmonders who were battling contagious diseases, including smallpox and tuberculosis, were isolated on the property.
But because this was the post Civil War South and the height of the Jim Crow era, only white patients were treated until eventually a separate house was built for the city’s Black population. When vaccinations were finally able to stem the diseases, the land and buildings began to take on new life. And while the whites only building remained, the Black ward was torn down.
It’s here where mysteries are being uncovered and the history of those patients and the land itself is being rediscovered. And it’s here where the land is taking on a new life which will allow new stories to emerge.
You can support my independent efforts by buying me a cuppa.
https://buymeacoffee.com/ian_stewart
History Reinvented: The Stairs to Nowhere
Wrap up Season 2 & an Ask
Now comes the time for me to think about Season three. But I need your help…I’m debating a couple of areas to dive into the history and future of and those include Brown’s Island and Belle Isle which have a rich and troubled history with the city but are turning into a special space for the city; And it includes the Nickel Bridge, which just celebrated its centennial—that could be lumped in with some transportation history as well, such as the rail cars that once moved Richmonders.
What are your thoughts? What would you like to hear about? You can let me know in a few different ways—either on my Buzzsprout fan page; or in the comments wherever you listen or via my email, which is in the show notes.
And here’s where else I need your help…I do these on my own, I’ve got no sponsors or corporate backers–if you are interested in sponsoring the next season, let me know.
Or if you want to help, I’ve created a new Buy me Coffee link that allows you to help support my efforts as a freelance reporter and podcaster. https://buymeacoffee.com/ian_stewart
Or you can Venmo me a few dollars at Ian-Stewart-82 to buy me some coffee or gas.
You can also help support my efforts by sharing this podcast on all your socials and by rating it and leaving a comment.
Also, here’s another question…I know many podcasts are moving also to YouTube–is that something you’re interested in? If so, let me know. Not sure how I’ll do that, since I’m an audio reporter by trade but I’d be interested if there’s a demand.
Be sure to check out my other podcast, called The Mechanics of Transportation in which I talk to local Richmond and national experts about all things transportation. And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud.
Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad.
I’m Ian Stewart, thanks for tagging along.
History Reinvented is a Big Soap Production.
Email me: Ian07stewart@gmail.com. Venmo: Ian-stewart-82
Follow me on Blue Sky at Ianstewartcycles.bsky.social; Threads & Instagram at just_ianstewart
As I look back over the second season of History Reinvented, Pine Camp, the stairs to nowhere, we started meeting VCU Professor Marie Vergamini and her students worked to uncover the stories of the Black Tuberculosis hospital at Pine Camp.
They literally dug up mounds of dirt to find artifacts and the stories about the people who were at the hospital during that time.
We also discovered the other sanatorium in Richmond, the one with some neighborhood pushback and a link to Civil War spies. And we of course found the stairs to nowhere. We moved on into the present, talking with the people behind Pine Camp now, including Diane Hayes who runs the community center; and we moved into the future to walk the trails with Emily Monroe and trail maker Kit West.
Now comes the time for me to think about Season three. But I need your help…I’m debating a couple of areas to dive into the history and future of and those include Brown’s Island and Belle Isle which have a rich and troubled history with the city but are turning into a special space for the city; And it includes the Nickel Bridge, which just celebrated its centennial—that could be lumped in with some transportation history as well, such as the rail cars that once moved Richmonders.
What are your thoughts? What would you like to hear about? You can let me know in a few different ways—either on my Buzzsprout fan page; or in the comments wherever you listen or via my email, which is in the show notes.
And here’s where else I need your help…I do these on my own, I’ve got no sponsors or corporate backers–if you are interested in sponsoring the next season, let me know.
- Or if you want to help, I’ve created a new Buy me Coffee page that allows you to help support my efforts at https://buymeacoffee.com/ian_stewart
- Or you can Venmo me a few dollars at Ian-Stewart-82
- You can also help support my efforts by sharing this podcast on all your socials and by rating it and leaving a comment.
Also, here’s another question…I know many podcasts are moving also to YouTube–is that something you’re interested in? If so, let me know. Not sure how I’ll do that, since I’m an audio reporter by trade but I’d be interested if there’s a demand..
Be sure to check out my other podcast, called The Mechanics of Transportation in which I talk to local Richmond and national experts about all things transportation. And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud.
Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad.
History Reinvented is a Big Soap Production.. I’m Ian Stewart, thanks for tagging along
