by Mary Campagna
There will be a Dumas Legacy Revival on Thursday and Friday, June 28 – 29 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Gilmer Ave., NW conducted by Rev. Kenneth Wright at 7:00 p.m. A 5-K race starts at 8:45 a.m. in Washington Park on Saturday, June 30. Vendors, sponsors, runners, walkers, and volunteers are needed; and a 7:00 p.m. concert will follow on Henry Street. Bring your chairs! Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Details of these events may be found on the Dumas Legacy Facebook page. The Dumas Hotel Legacy, Inc. activities are sponsored in partnership with Miriam’s Hand, Inc. Why should you participate?
The Dumas Hotel Legacy, Inc. is a group of concerned citizens attempting to buy the old hotel building back from Total Action for Progress (TAP), owners of the property since 1990. TAP has referred to it as the Dumas Center for Artistic & Cultural Development.
Should the purchase go through, the building will provide creative programs for youth to explore the arts, educational programs, business training and a venue for the performing arts. Meeting space will also be available for patrons.
All proceeds from the Legacy weekend activities will go toward purchase of the venerable Dumas where Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington once performed. The Dumas is one of the last cultural landmarks of Henry Street in Historic Gainsboro; it is also a symbol of the heart of the African American community and it should represent a legacy of hope for all Roanoke citizens.
