On June 12th 90 people were invited to attend the ribbon-cutting for the “Trailblazers” mural on the wall of Collage Therapy. The building is located at 254 East Davis St. Bryan Lam is the owner and he got a grant to help with the cost of a mural on the side of the building facing the Culpeper Train Station. Culpeper Renaissance Inc. (CRI), partnered with Lam. Fran Cecere from Windmore Foundation for the Arts got involved with the project because one donor, Aaron Greso, had donated money especially for a mural.
A successful merchant Henry Lightfoot, well-loved physician Dr. Elijah Barber, female entrepreneur Ruby Beck, Hall-of-Fame ball player John Preston “Pete” Hill, law enforcement pioneers Rosco Ford and Ella Drumgoole, and a freedom-seeking Union soldier representing 120 men from Culpeper who joined the Union army are all portrayed in a new mural, “Trailblazers,” by Layton Scarbrough.
The program for the ribbon-cutting was joyful with prayers offered by two pastors. Culpeper’s Mayor and members of the Board of Supervisors welcomed the people and acknowledged the people who helped make this possible. The surviving family members spoke about their ancestors, telling funny, touching, and honest stories about the accomplishments of these trailblazers.
Knackels Bakery made dozens of cupcakes with a copy of the mural on top of the frosting. They were free and delicious, but many of us did not want to bite into the mural. There was singing, and a disk jockey played after the ribbon cutting.
Bowles Southern Fried food truck was there selling fish fries just like the people living in that part of town had enjoyed every Friday and Saturday night many years ago.
We were all very happy that the rain held off and that there were some trees to provide shade and a little shelter from the summer sun.
