Washington and Lee University, University Library Special Collections and Archives
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for use.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Walker-Wood Families Papers (WLU Coll. 0294), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Alex and Freddye Wood in 2005.
Biographical / Historical
The Walker and Wood families were prominent African-American families during the 20th century in Lexington, Virginia.
C. M. (Clarence Mosby) Wood was born on June 27, 1889 in Middlesex County, Va. He married to Nannie Elizabeth Walker on June 18, 1919. They were married for 48 years. C. M. and Nannie lived in Lexington, Va. in their home named Blandome. After marrying Nannie, C. M. joined his father-in-law, Harry L. Walker, as his business partner and eventual successor. C. M. edited the Lexington Star , sold real estate and insurance, and owned a car dealership, gas station, and ice cream parlor. He died on November 9, 1957.
Nannie Walker Wood was born in Rockbridge County, Va. on January 7, 1900 to Harry L. Walker and Eliza Bannister Walker. She was a member of First Baptist Church for 86 years. She attended school in Lexington, Va. and Hartshorn College for Women in Richmond which later became part of Virginia Union University where she met her future husband, C. M. (Clarence Mosby) Wood. She and C. M. were married on June 18, 1919. They were married for 48 years. During her lifetime, Nannie was affiliated with the following organizations: the Helen Gooch Memorial Missionary Society, the Lady's Auxiliary of First Baptist Church, the Garden Club, the Six O'Clock Club, and the NAACP. Nannie and C. M. had six children. After her husband's death, she managed the family businesses. Nannie died June 18, 1993.
Harry Lee Walker (1875-1941) was the father of Nannie Walker Wood. He married Eliza Bannister. Walker was a butcher who established a successful business selling meat to Washington and Lee, the Virginia Military Institute, and fraternities. He expanded his business to include groceries and seafood, and invested in real estate. Eliza Bannister Walker (1874-1939) was a nurse at the Freedman's hospital in Washington, D. C. and was also a professional singer. Both Harry and Eliza were active in the First Baptist Church and supported various educational and social causes. Eliza was a co-founder of the Virginia Federation of Colored Women.
Blandome is the name of the Walker-Wood home. Built circa 1830, the house's original owner is unknown. It was owned and occupied by a number of white families associated with both Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute. The house was purchased circa 1917 by Harry L. and Eliza Walker. Described as a colonial manse, the house sat on a three acre lot. The property included the main residence as well as cottages and cabins that were available to rent by clubs, organizations, and tourists. Clarence and Nannie Wood next owned Blandome and raised their children there. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
Scope and Contents
This collection includes photographs, ephemera, clippings, correspondence, and printed material created and/or acquired by members of the Walker and Wood families, specifically Harry L. and Eliza Walker and their daughter Nannie and her husband Clarence. Subjects include the Walker-Wood Brothers meat and grocery business, the family home Blandome, properties owned by the families, First Baptist Church, and social organizations in Lexington and Roanoke such as the NAACP and the Virginia Federation of Colored Women. Several of the photographs date to the late 19th century and feature multiple generations of both families. Of particular note are photographs of Freedman's Hospital nurses and a unit of Buffalo soldiers. The families were very active in advocating for the education of African American children in Lexington, and this collection reflects that. The collection includes documents related to the advocacy for and development of Lylburn Downing School and the organization of the Home and School League.
The collection is arranged into series: Walker Family, Wood Family, Blandome House, Walker-Wood Brothers Business, African American Education in Lexington, Churches, Social Activities and Recreation, and Other Files. Other Files refers to material that did not fit within another series.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- African Americans -- Economic conditions
- African Americans -- Education
- African Americans -- Religion
- African Americans -- Segregation
- African Americans -- Social conditions
- Blandome (Lexington, Va.)
- First Baptist Church (Lexington, Va.)
- Lylburn Downing School (Lexington, Va.)
- Virginia -- Lexington
- Walker family
- Walker, Eliza Bannister
- Walker, Harry Lee
- Wood family
- Wood, Alexander Barbour
- Wood, Clarence M.
- Wood, Nannie Walker
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Walker, Eliza Bannister
- Walker, Harry Lee
- Wood, Alexander Barbour
- Wood, Clarence M.
- Wood, Nannie Walker
Container List
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 1
Eliza Walker: Old Folks Home and Orphanage Campaigncirca 1917-1920Scope and Contents
Front cover includes an image of Eliza and three orphaned children: one born without hands, one cannot walk, and one cannot talk per the description
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 2
Eliza Walker: Compositionscirca 1900-1935
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 3
Eliza Walker: Virginia Federation of Colored Women Convention1921 June 30
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 4
Eliza Walker: Address and Expenses Book Walletcirca 1891
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 5
Eliza Walker: NAACP Program and Biographical Note1975 September 27, undatedScope and Contents
Walker was memorialized at this NAACP banquet held in Roanoke, Virginia. The biographical note describes how Walker supported the Civil Rights movement.
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 6
Harry L. Walker: Account Book and Bank Book1902-1903, 1940-1941
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 7
Correspondence1912, 1913, circa 1920s, undatedScope and Contents
Includes a typescript plea to the white citizens of Lexington who hired outside servant help
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 8
Nannie Walker: Notebook on the BIBLE1914
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 9
Nannie Walker: Drawings and Sketches1916Scope and Contents
While a student at Hartshorn Memorial College
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 10
Nannie Walker: Notebook on the BIBLE1916
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 11
Nannie Walker: Notebook on the BIBLE1917
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 12
Nannie Walker: Algebra Student Notebookcirca 1917
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 13
Harry L. and Eliza Walker Biographical Informationundated
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 14
Property Tax Bill and Payment for Thornton Bannister1896Scope and Contents
Eliza Walker's father
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 15
Handpainted Photograph of Nannie Bannistercirca 1880sScope and Contents
Eliza Walker's sister
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 16
Photograph of Buffalo Soldiers including Alexander Bannistercirca 1890sScope and Contents
C Troop, 9th Cavalry Spelled Banister on headstone
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 17
Photographscirca 1890-1930, undatedScope and Contents
Includes images of Harry L. and Eliza Walker, Nannie Walker, Harry T. Walker, and extended family including relatives of Harry L. and Eliza such as parents and siblings.
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 18
Photographscirca 1890-1930, undatedScope and Contents
Includes images of Harry L. and Eliza Walker, Nannie Walker, Harry T. Walker, and extended family including relatives of Harry L. and Eliza such as parents and siblings.
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 19
Clarence M. Wood: Certificates1914, 1919
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 20
Clarence M. Wood: English Literature Student Notebook1918
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 21
Clarence M. Wood: Latin Student Notebookcirca 1918
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 22
Clarence M. Wood: Philosophy Student Notebookcirca 1918
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 23
Clarence M. Wood: Biology Student Notebookcirca 1918
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 24
Clarence M. Wood: Photographscirca 1916-1918Scope and Contents
A profile portrait image of Clarence in cap and gown while a student at Virginia Union University that was originally part of a larger composite photograph. Also included is a photograph of an unidentified student also in a cap and gown and a photograph of Pickford Hall.
A group photograph that includes Clarence with his co-workers in the service industry at a job he held during the summer to earn money for his education.
A postcard photograph that includes Clarence with his fellow football players. On the back is a message written by him to Jack Wood of Norfolk, Va.
- Mixed Materials [35101206592334] box: 1 folder: 25
Clarence M. Wood: Virginia Union University Football Team1916
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 1
Clarence M. Wood: Letter from Virginia Governor James H. Price1940 July 2
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 2
Nannie Walker Wood and Clarence M. Wood: Wedding Invitation1919 June 18
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 3
Nannie Walker Wood and Clarence M. Wood: Fire Inspection Report for Multiple Properties1957 OctoberScope and Contents
Properties: Blandome, tenant dwelling, Dari Delite building, Esso Station, Baker-Ford Sales, Buddy's Place, Fuller Street dwelling
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 4
Nannie Walker Wood: Account Book of Children's School Expenses1940-1941
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 5
Nannie Walker Wood: Financial Notebook1946-1953Scope and Contents
Personal expenses, income from rental properties including the Willson-Walker building
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 6
Nannie Walker Wood: Funeral Program1993 June 23
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 7
Nannie Walker Wood: Evaluation Survey for Three Properties1956 April 20
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 8
Nannie Walker Wood: Wedding Photograph1919 June 18
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 9
Alex Wood: Presentations for Rockbridge Historical Society and Virginia Military Institutecirca 2001
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 10
Photographscirca 1920-1970
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 11
Photographscirca 1920-1970
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 12
Correspondence1941, 1947, 1975, 1977, 1999, 2002, undated
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 13
Two Star Service Handheld Flagcirca 1942-1945
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 14
Photographs1919-1970
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 15
Clippings and Ephemeracirca 1920-1983
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 16
Historycirca 1930-1970
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 17
Correspondence1958, 1972, undated
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 18
"Orson Fowler the Domestic Octagon and 'The Little House at Blandome'" by F. Leonard Darby1974 May 22Scope and Contents
Student paper written for Art 107: American Architecture at Washington and Lee
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 19
Copy of the Registration for the National Register of Historic Places2001
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 20
R. T. Harbison Compositions about Blandome and Lilly's Lunchundated
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 21
Records1919, 1923
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 22
Ephemeracirca 1919-1925
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 23
Photographs of Walker-Wood Bros. Meat and Grocery Storecirca 1919-1925, 1957, undatedScope and Contents
The building was later called the Willson-Walker House
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 24
Home School League Minute Notebook1922Scope and Contents
Clarence M. Wood was secretary. Organization was formed at the encouragement of Rev. W. N. Holt. The first meeting was held at Blandome. The purpose was to better education for African Americans in Lexington.
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 25
Home and School League1923
- Mixed Materials [35101013594341] Oversize: Folder 1
Issue of THE LEXINGTON STAR Newspaper1922 November 23Scope and Contents
THE LEXINGTON STAR was a African American newspaper that aimed to promote public support for the education of African American children. Clarence Wood was the editor. This is the first issue printed. In addition to the full issue is the front half of the same.
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 26
Lylburn Downing School1930-1937
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 27
Lylburn Downing School1922, 1929, circa 2001, undated
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 28
Writing Fragments by Clarence M. Wood Pointing Out Education Discrepancies19[xx] July
- Mixed Materials [35101206592458] box: 2 folder: 29
Copy Prints and Photocopies1944 April, circa 2008, undatedScope and Contents
copy prints and photocopies of school classes and buildings, original print of the 7th grade First Aid class at Lylburn Downing School
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 1
First Baptist Church: Anniversary Booklets1953, 1954, 1967, 1976
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 2
First Baptist Church: Anniversary Booklets1992, 2014, 2018
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 3
First Baptist Church: Photographs and Copy Printscirca 1890s, 1976, circa 2008, undatedScope and Contents
The circa 1890s photograph is a Michael Miley image of the Pastor and congregation posed in Miley's studio.
- Mixed Materials [35101013594341] Oversize: Folder 1
Unidentified Group at the First Baptist Churchcirca 1880s-1890sScope and Contents
Per Alex Wood in 2007, photograph might include Reverend Lucas and his wife. He further noted that the woman next to last in the first seated row was Charlotte Harvey, Nannie's cousin. Charlotte was born into slavery, and in 1865 when she was six, she was hanging on a gate when "Yankees" came and freed her. Wood said that Charlotte remembered this all of her life. She was in the Harrisonburg area when she was freed.
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 4
First Baptist Church: Ephemera1906, 1915, 1931, 1969, 1987, 1992, 2012, 2018, 2019, undatedScope and Contents
Includes bulletin, funeral programs, a church manual, a Thanksgiving souvenir, cantata program, a broadside for Congressman Oscar De Priest event, and broadside for a musical and vocal contest
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 5
First Baptist Church: "More Kitchen Joy Cookbook"2011 Fall
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 6
Cedar Hill Baptist Church1987, 2014, undated
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 7
The Charity Nightingales1931
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 8
Fraternal Orders1925, undated
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 9
Historical Information about the Rockbridge Branch of the NAACP, 25th Anniversary Dinner Programcirca 1971, 1971 March 5
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 10
Photographs1950, 1955, undatedScope and Contents
Original prints of the Roanoake, Va. Link Chapter (October 1950), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Members (1955)
Copy print of the Rose Inn (print made circa 2008)
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 11
Green Pastures Recreation Area2007, 2019, undated
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 12
Correspondence1929, 1935, 1936Scope and Contents
June 8, 1929 letter written by former VMI cadet, John G. James stating that he entered VMI in 1862 and was at the Battle of New Market. He donated money towards helping the Walker Club Colored Cemetery and asks that a rose bush be placed at the grave of the African American head cook at VMI should he be buried there who was known as "Judge" by the cadets. James does use racist language in describing this individual.
May 22, 1935 letter to H. H. Bozeman of Lexington from the Stonewall Jackson Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America informing him that the Lexington District Council voted against forming a troop of African American Boy Scouts.
February 25, 1936 letter to the Rockbride Walker Club from W. F. Day of Knoxville, Tenn. inquiring for information about his wife's family.
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 13
Clippingscirca 1911-2017Scope and Contents
Several of the clippings are specific to family members and/or events documented elsewhere in the collection.
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 14
Ephemera1931, 1941, 1948, 1985, 1987, undatedScope and Contents
Includes ticket for "Septha and His Daughter" at the Lyric Theater to benefit Jackson Hospital (June 2, 1925), an undated envelope that once housed a midwife permit, the McCormick Celebration program (September 25, 1931) among other items.
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 15
Photographs of Freedman's Hospital Nurses on Horsescirca 1910
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 16
Photocopies, Copy Prints, and Photographs1927, 1987, undatedScope and Contents
Includes original prints featuring Col. Kerlin of VMI
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 17
Jacob Ruff House1982, undated
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 18
"A Study of the Status of Negroes in the Social Arrangement of Lexington, Virginia," by Ellis Nathaniel Zuckerman1949 MayConditions Governing Access
This paper is under copyright and cannot be digitized and made available in full online.
Scope and ContentsWashington and Lee University student Sociology term paper
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 19
"Architecture Project: The Appalachian Pickin' Parlor" by Anthony M. Murray1974 SpringConditions Governing Access
This paper is under copyright and cannot be digitized in full and made available online.
Scope and ContentsWashington and Lee student paper for Architecture 107
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 20
"The Willson-Walker House: A Provincial Neoclassical Revival Building" by Wayne Kille1980 February 1Conditions Governing Access
This item is under copyright and cannot be digitized and made available online in full.
Scope and ContentsStudent paper for Dell Upton's American Vernacular Architecture Class (UVa.?)
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 21
Printed Material1839, 1871, 1874, 1989Scope and Contents
Southern Literary Messenger (August 1839), The University Monthly: A Journal of School and Home Education (March 1871), Washington and Lee University broadside (December 8, 1874), The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography (July 1989)
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 22
LIFE Magazine1969 August 22
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 23
LIFE Magazine1969 September 12Scope and Contents
Coretta Scott King cover
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 24
Financial Documents1798Scope and Contents
Includes William Caruthers, Elinor Paxton, and other Lexington/Rockbridge individuals
- Mixed Materials [35101206592573] box: 3 folder: 25
Letters sent to John Randolph and Laura Powell Tucker1878, 1884-1885Scope and Contents
These letters may have been found by the Walker family they moved into Blandome, which was once owned by the Tuckers.
- Mixed Materials [35101013594341] Oversize: Folder 1
"To the Citizens of Lexington" Broadside1829 NovemberScope and Contents
re: establishment of the fire engine company