Alderson’s Bricktop Legend Recognized

Thanks   to   a   grant   from   the   William   G.   Pomeroy   Foundation®   in   partnership   with   the   West   Virginia Humanities   Council’s   Folklife   Program   and   installation   by   the   Town   of   Alderson,   a   new   roadside   marker commemorating   the   legend   of   “Bricktop”   Smith   will   be   dedicated   on   Saturday,   February   15   at   12   noon   at Alderson   Alumni   Park.      Alderson   Alumni   Park   is   best   accessed   by   parking   on   the   Monroe   County   side   of Alderson    and    carefully    crossing    the    railroad    tracks    to    the    Gazebo    which    is,    fittingly,    often    used    for concerts.  Ada   Beatrice   Queen   Victoria   Louise   Virginia   Smith   was   born   on   August   14,   1894   likely   on   the   Monroe County   side   of Alderson   in   the   Historic   Business   District   above   a   restaurant   which   her   mother,   Hattie,   ran.     In   those   days   of   the   separation   of   the   races,   her   father,   Tom   Smith,   ran   a   barbershop   which   catered   to white customers.  She   was   nicknamed   “Bricktop”   because   of   her   red   hair.      She   left   Alderson   at   age   4   after   the   death   of   her father   when   her   mother   moved   the   family   to   Chicago.      She   began   her   entertainment   career   in   Chicago and also moved to New York before owning jazz clubs in Paris, Biarritz, Rome, and Mexico. For   the   last   five   years, Alderson   Main   Street,   with   the   support   of   the   Greenbrier   County   Commission,   has held   a   “Tribute   to   Bricktop”   concert   featuring   singer   Susanna   Robinson.      Ms.   Robinson   and   guitar   player extraordinaire Bill Hoffman from Roanoke will be on hand for entertainment at the dedication.  Alderson   Main   Street   applied   for   a   grant   from   the   William   G.   Pomeroy   Foundation   via   the   West   Virginia Humanities   Council’s   Folklife   Program   several   months   ago.      The   Pomeroy   Foundation   is   a   grant-making foundation based in Syracuse, N.Y.  Established   in   2015,   the   Legends   &   Lore®   Marker   Grant   Program   gives   communities   the   opportunity   to commemorate   a   part   of   their   local   cultural   heritage   that   might   not   typically   be   found   on   a   historic   roadside marker.   This   unique   grant   program   is   the   only   nationwide   effort   of   its   kind.   For   examples   of   Legends   & Lore markers, visit the Pomeroy Foundation’s interactive, digital marker map. The   Pomeroy   Foundation   worked   in   close   partnership   with   the   Humanities   Council   to   make   these   grants available   through   the   foundation’s   Legends   &   Lore   program.   The   West   Virginia   Folklife   Program   at   the West   Virginia   Humanities   Council   is   supported   in   part   by   the   National   Endowment   for   the Arts   (NEA),   and is   dedicated   to   the   documentation,   preservation,   and   support   of   West   Virginia’s   vibrant   cultural   heritage and   living   traditions.      Since   2006,   the   Foundation   has   funded   nearly   1,000   historic   roadside   markers   and plaques nationwide. Grants cover the cost of a marker, pole and shipping. Alderson   Main   Street   President   Judy   Lohmeyer   said,   “Please   join   us   for   this   dedication   ceremony   and   a small   reception   afterward   at   the   Christ   Our   Savior   Lutheran   Church.      We   are   so   appreciative   of   the Pomeroy Foundation for the funding for this marker.”  Mayor Travis   Copenhaver   said,   “I   thank   the   Pomeroy   Foundation   and Alderson   Main   Street   for   making   this possible   and   the   town   crew   for   its   installation.      This   marker   is   just   one   more   way   we   can   celebrate   and present the special history of our town.” PHOTO   CAPTION:      Singer   Susanna   Robinson   and   guitarist   Bill   Hoffman   performing   at   a   “Tribute   to Bricktop”   concert.      They   will   perform   at   the   dedication   of   the   “Bricktop”   Smith   marker   sponsored   by   the Pomeroy Foundation, the WV Humanities Council, and Alderson Main Street. (Click photo for larger view)