February 7, 2021

Snow, History, and A Church in Broad Run.

We were blessed with fluffy snow during the night, and then above-freezing temperatures this afternoon so everyone will be able to travel the roads tomorrow. It was pretty while it lasted.



At 3:00 I watched a virtual program sponsored by the Friends of the North Fork. Sarah Kohrs explained what we know about cemeteries of enslaved persons in the Shenandoah Valley, and the traditions that came over from Africa.  The topic is pertinent to Black History Month, and relevant to my own interests in history and archaeology.

I'm sharing a screenshot of one of the opening slides from the Zoom presentation.
 

After the program ended, I went out in the yard to replace a bird feeder that had been completely emptied by starlings. Our snow was visibly disappearing.


A few days ago I spotted this church in Prince William County. This is Oakrum Baptist Church on Thoroughfare Road. I found interesting history on the church's website.
Oakrum Baptist Church was founded in Prince William County in 1865 by freed slave, Alexandra Johnson. He purchased land to build a home and church home for his family.The Rev. James Robinson of Washington, D.C. conducted the services, and quickly, Johnson's small country church needed a larger place to meet.

Thankfully, Johnson and his neighbor, Moses Morrison, provided land around the church for a larger building.



 

4 comments:

  1. ...I need to fill my feeder, but I'm waiting for it to warm up a bit.

    ReplyDelete
  2. i appreciate your snow words ... i agree. when we wake up and see it, it is a real surprise. i miss my childhood, we had way more snow then. so it is a true treat. great shots. happy week. ( ;

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your snowy snots almost make me want to live in snow country again. Almost.

    ReplyDelete

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