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Who will you Remember and Honor?
Memorial Day is an American Holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U. S. Military.
Memorial Day was declared a national holiday through an act of Congress in 1971, and its roots date back to the Civil War era when citizens of Waterloo, NY and Charleston, SC as well as others felt the need to bury and honor those who had given their lives so bravely.
Visiting Omaha Beach on the shores of Normandy, France, visitors may remember many heroes who turned the tide of WWII, those who fought and died and were buried never to return to their United States of America.
Photos taken at Omaha Beach June 2012
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The Bristol Historical Association is dedicated to the identification, preservation, interpretation and presentation of local history. |
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REMEMBERING BUILDINGS OF LONG AGO
Text by Barbara Smith
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The mission of Bristol Historical association is to identify, preserve, and present Bristol’s history. Part of this history is wrapped up in our buildings. Buildings define our city’s landscape, point of view, and direction. They establish the relationship we have with our surroundings. When they are gone, it disorients us, if just for a moment; you know, “Turn right at such and such a building!” Buildings must go for a number of reasons -- sometimes to increase property values, accommodate expansion, have a better use of land, or just because a building is no longer safe.
I thought it would be fun to look back at a few buildings that are now gone. See if you can identify them mid-demolition and reminisce a little. In the last newsletter, I wrote about such a situation regarding the old King Rogers Grocery and the building of the new Tennessee Middle School. Do you remember these...
Hecht’s Bakery was founded by Herman Hecht in 1905, when bread was five cents a loaf. The business grew rapidly, and in 1922, the bakery’s new building was constructed at the corner of Seventh and Shelby Streets. Herman Hecht’s son, Armand, became the manager in 1948. Many citizens say they remember the wonderful aroma of baking bread wafting up the street. According to BHA’s late historian, Bud Phillips, Hecht’s Bakery was the first to offer wrapped bread. In addition to bread, the bakery sold a wide variety of baked goods. Later, the building housed The Bristol Products Business. It was razed in 2021.
United Coal, now The United Company, purchased Sullins College for Women in 1977, to use as their corporate offices. The building pictured here was Reynolds Hall, a dormitory on the west end of the present Martin Hall. Two dormitories were added in the 1920’s to house the growing Sullins student body, Reynolds dorm to the west and Holston dorm to the east are both now gone. The United Company owners have been passionate about the upkeep of the property, including the original main dormitory, Martin Hall, which has been beautifully renovated and restored.
As this former Bristol restaurant was being demolished, prominent signage was uncovered which advertised a unique amenity from a bygone era -- air conditioning. As is the case for many restaurant buildings, this one has had multiple owners, names, and menus. One of the first restaurants in this location was The Windsor Restaurant, a Bristol favorite, famous for its wedge salad and blue cheese dressing. After the Windsor closed, Mexican Restaurants gained popularity, and the property was reincarnated, first as La Carreta, and later as Emiliano’s.
The orange bricks lying on the ground were from the La Carreta era during which the building was painted bright orange.
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Community Remembrance Project
April 17, 2023
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"The Community Remembernce Project" presentation April 17, 2023, at the Bristol Library was attended by many who were given an "invitation to learn" printed by the Bristol Herald Courier.
Tina McDaniel and Preston Mitchell spoke about "understanding the racial terror, lynchings of the the south - "The Struggle to Remember", and it was their effort to shine a light on the history and stories of events in and around Bristol. The Bristol Virginia School Board adopted a resolution on this same day expressing their support of the work being done by this committee to foster meaningful education, dialogue and interaction that lead to truth, healing, and community growth.
You may contact Tina McDaniel at Tina@BristolsPromise.org or Preston Mitchell at pwm2q@uvawise.edu.
Watch BTES CH 207 and see the Guide when you may see the program replayed.
Thank you Chris Sykes, Supervisor of Television Production, Bristol Tennessee Essential Services, for recording our BHA Programs.
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NEW LIBRARY EXHIBIT: AMERICAN MILITARIA |
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The Bristol Historical Association is proud to announce a newly installed exhibit at the Bristol Public Library featuring American Militaria. This patriotic collection consists of items on loan from several local Army veterans.
Do you know what an MRE is? Why were the World War I soldiers called "doughboys?" What led to the use of dog tags? Does the folding of our flag into a triangle have any meaning? Answers to these questions and more can be found by viewing this special exhibit.
Items on display include a beautiful blue silk embossed flag of the 319th regiment, officer's mess kit, officer's hats, insignia and medals, helmets from WWI and WWII, documents, and more.
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The exhibit is located on the second floor of the Bristol Public Library near the circulation desk and will be on display through the month of July. For more information, or if you have a collection you would like to share through an exhibit, please contact Joyce Kistner at joyceannkistner@gmail.com or 276 669 2448.
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"Bees Visit the Robert Preston House"
The Robert Preston House will have many visitors in years ahead, but the Bees are not ones we welcome. J.R. and Karen Sexton from Lee County, Va. have removed our latest swarm this April, 2023. As this is the second time, it was decided to remove a section of the floor in the east second floor bedroom. The Queen was captured and a vacuum system was brought to place the unwelcome bees in their hive box. The floor was replaced, and the entrance window was scrubbed with steel wool to prohibit more bees. The Queen and her hive are many miles away now.
There are many tasks done by the Preston House committee, and the BHA wishes for everyone to visit the Robert Preston House. We are required to finish the road and bathroom facilities required by Washington County, Va.
Read more and see videos about the historic house on our BHA website at:
www.bristolhistoricalassociation.com
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Bristol Virginia Historic Preservation Award Recipients
The Historic Preservation Award Committee for the City of Bristol, Virginia has awarded the 2023 Historic Preservation Awards.The purpose of the award program is to recognize and honor property owners and developers who engage in preservation and maintenance projects on properties located in the City of Bristol, Virginia. ndnder
“Restoration and long-term maintenance of residential and commercial properties encourages revitalization, and preserves the rich history, culture, and landscape of our city,” according to Catherine Brillhart, Committee Chair.
2023 HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS
CITY OF BRISTOL, VIRGINIA
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023
CITYWIDE(Property is located outside a historic district within Bristol,VA)
10:00 AM NewPeoples Bank
901 West StateStreet
Bristol, VA
EUCLID AVENUE HISTORIC DISTRICT
11:00 AM Leonard Home
441 Euclid Ave.
Bristol, VA
SOLAR HILL DISTRICT
1:00 PM CAMPBELL HOME
238 Oak Street
Bristol, VA
BRISTOL DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT
2:00 PM Southern Churn
677 State Street
Bristol, VA
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Become A Member Today!
Not a Member?
Need to Renew your Membership?
Click HERE for a Membership Form
or simply send your check to BHA
P.O. Box 204 Bristol, TN 37621
Join us now and enjoy learning about and enhancing our knowledge of the history of Bristol.
BTES Channel 207 shows past BHA programs
You can read past newsletters and stories and view both historical and modern photos on our website, always up to date with the latest news.
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REMEMBER BRISTOL'S MEMORIAL SITES |
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The Pemberton Oak, thought to be over 600 years old, was located off 421 just east of Bristol. In September 1780, beneath this majestic tree, Col. John Pemberton and Overmountain Men from the area, including Virginia, assembled to join other patriots at Sycamore Shoals on the Watauga River at Elizabethton, Tn. On October 7, 1780, the combined patriot forces defeated British Major Patrick Ferguson and his Loyalist troops at the Battle of King's Mountain in South Carolina. Thomas Jefferson called it "the tide of success which terminated the Revolutionary War."
The Pemberton Oak fell in 2002.
Thanks to Roy Williams for his photo and report in 2014.
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The Return of the Historic Pemberton Oak
May 18, 2023
The historic Pemberton Oak has been transported back to Bristol to be stored safely at the Permatile Company facilities. Steve McKinney has stored this important piece of historic wood for over ten years, and we thank him for his gift of time and dedication to BHA. Our Committee led by Mary Beth Rainero will decide where this important, beautiful Oak piece will reside. Look for upcoming Newsletters to inform you of where you might see this historic slice of Bristol history.
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Editor: Amy Hopper
Design : Rebekah McGrady
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