Pierce Street Gateway Raising Funds for Revitalization
Written by Alyssa Wilson, University of Lynchburg Bonner Intern
Standing on Pierce Street in Lynchburg, Virginia are eight historical markers, the most within a two block radius in the state as a whole.
The Pierce Street Gateway, founded in 2018, is working to revitalize and lift up the neighborhood in an effort to tell the stories of the ordinary and extraordinary residents of the Pierce Street Historic District.
Since the creation of the Gateway in 2018, they have also started a community garden, which has been open to the public for the past two years.
The garden provides fresh fruit and vegetables to the neighborhood and is open 24/7 for residents to take what they need.
In addition to being a food source for the community, the garden has also partnered with R.S. Payne Elementary School to teach students about gardening and the legacy of the neighborhood.
The garden is open for volunteers every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. from April to October.
“It’s a great thing to do with friends. Get out there and get your hands in the dirt and spend good time together. That’s what it’s all about,” says Sarah Blankeship, board member and avid volunteer at the garden.
Within the next three years, the Gateway wants to create a museum and community hub within the old Calloway Grocery Store at 1301 Pierce Street which is one of the first Black-owned businesses in Lynchburg.
On Sept. 30, the Gateway will host a Jazz and Sip fundraiser to help raise money to support the revitalization project and the sustainability of the community garden.
The fundraiser, which will commemorate the second anniversary of the opening of the Pierce Street Community Garden, will be hosted at Amazement Square from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m..
The event will feature a jazz band and heavy hor d’oeuvres in addition to an auction that will be released online this Thursday, Sept. 21.
The auction will feature many fantastic items, including a Moore & Giles tote bag, a piece from local artist Kevin Chadwick, Broadway tickets,local art pieces and more. To check out the auction visit https://givebutter.com/c/PSG/auction.
Dr. Ghislaine Lewis, director of Pierce Street Gateway says, “We hope that the community will support this event because all of the money goes to a really amazing cause and we’re really passionate about the work we’re doing on Pierce Street.”
To buy tickets for the event or to learn more about the Pierce Street Gateway, visit their SHARE Greater Lynchburg profile.