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.
History Reinvented: The Stairs to Nowhere
Meet the Researchers
On this episode of History Reinvented – Pine Camp, the stairs to nowhere, we meet the team doing the research to uncover the history of the Black Hospital, which was torn down basically as soon as the Tuberculosis pandemic began to subside once vaccines became available. The white hospital, at least parts of it, still stands today–though, the building is boarded up.
One of the highlights of our introduction to each other and what they’re doing, is how dedicated they are to digging up the history of the place and the people, like the Black Nurses, who were integral to getting Black patients to seek treatment.
I met Marie Vergamini and her students on a typical humid day a few months ago at Pine Camp. We camped ourselves at a picnic table near the entrance to this really cool trail that weaves around some outdoor sculptures and some recently installed historical markers.
So pull up a seat and meet Marie and her students.
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History Reinvented is created solely by me, Ian Stewart. I’m a freelance journalist, and a longtime, former public radio reporter. I’ve got no sponsors at this time–so, if you’d like to sponsor this podcast series, let me know.
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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.
Email me: Ian07stewart@gmail.com. Venmo: Ian-stewart-82
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