The Voice That Awed Roanoke

Mayor A. R. Minton (center) greets Marian Anderson (center, holding coat) along with Rev. William Simmons (right) and others from Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Roanoke was once privileged to host Marian Anderson, who had “a voice that only comes along once in a hundred years.”

Saunders vs Almond

Black-and-white portraits of Stuart Saunders in round glasses and J. Lindsay Almond in a striped tie, both in suits.

An epic battle of wills between two Roanokers changed the course of Virginia’s history.

Sears Town

Sears Town the weekend prior to its grand opening in 1957.

Roanoke was once home to the largest Sears store in the American South.

Roosevelt in Roanoke

President Roosevelt’s visit offered one of the most exciting events in our local history.

President Roosevelt’s visit offered one of the most exciting events in our local history.

Roanoke’s Secret Library

This 1950s image shows the interior of the library with Virginia Lee behind the main desk.

In the 1940s the Gainsboro librarian was directed to rid the library of materials deemed subversive by white politicians. They thought she had, but they failed to look in the basement!

Secret Link