Among the Heritage Center's many collections, one has tremendous implications for African American history in the area. Ruth Coder Fitzgerald, a come-here and former Peace Corps volunteer and her husband, Barry, realized there was a void. There was no definitive history of the local African American population, even though African Americans had been in the area as long as European settlers. Most were brought as slaves, although by the Civil War, Fredericksburg had nearly an equal number of free men and women.

Mrs. Fitzgerald sought to rectify this omission. For nearly ten years, she researched, studied and interviewed to gather information. In 1979, she published A Different Story. Before she died in 2013, Mrs. Fitzgerald donated her research and her husband's photographs to the Heritage Center. Recently, the Center has had some of those tapes converted to digital format.

This time of self-isolation or quarantine seemed to be the perfect time to do some transcription. Mrs. Fitzgerald recorded James Randall Montague (1888 - 1979) and his wife, Rosa (or Rose Bud) Juggins Montague (1900 - 1980) on 15 February 1978. Mr. Montague's father, Thornton, was born a freeman, but his grandfather, Edward, was born in slavery. Mr. Montague had some memories of his grandfather, but had not discussed slavery with him. Mr. Montague only had a little schooling, typical for the time; he had to work. He worked in Washington, DC, Amherst, NJ, Indian Head, MD and finally for the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad in the Brooke area. In 1921, he married Rosa; they were married until Mr. Montague died in 1979. In the interview, they reminisced about going to school. Mrs. Montague went to school until she was 10, and only a few days a week because she was needed at home. As an adult, she did domestic work, recalling the names and temperaments of her employers. They both spoke of their teachers, Bettie and Naomi Lewis, Annie Morton Hamn and Mrs. Richardson. Both were long-time members of Mount Hope Baptist Church (near Brooke and Andrew Chapel Roads). When he was 12, Mr. Montague recalled being baptized in Silk Worm Pond. The church was built on land donated by Armistead Dishman, a successful African American.

There are more tapes and more history. When the Center reopens, we hope you will visit the Center and take advantage of our research material.