Cooperative Living October 2020 - 13

CivicPride | Story and photos by Gregg MacDonald, Staff Writer
A History of African
American Fellowship
Farmville site is one of 12 additions to
Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail
s a little girl, Rhita Cordell looked forward to three
days every year: her birthday, Christmas and " The
Turnout " at the Fellowship Hall of The Benevolent
Society of the Loving Sisters and Brothers of Hampden
Sydney in Farmville, Va.
Now, succeeding generations will be able to appreciate
what Cordell remembers so vividly.
A
The antebellum Fellowship Hall is being added as one of
a dozen new expansion sites to the Civil Rights in Education
Heritage Trail across Virginia.
For Rhita and her husband, William Cordell, a
frequent singer at The Turnout, the fellowship hall's
addition to the civil rights trail is a dream come true.
" William and I have been doing our best to keep
this history alive, " she says. " This recognition will go
a long way toward helping with that. "
HISTORIC HALL
Established in 1843, most likely by free Blacks, the
Beneficial Benevolent Society of the Loving Sisters and
Brothers of Hampden Sydney originally consisted of two
mutual benefit groups for African American men and women
of the Hampden Sydney District of Prince Edward County.
The Beneficial Benevolent Society, also known as the
Brethren Society, was composed of men, while its associated
group for women was called the Loving Sisters of Worship.
The society's two arms shared the expenses of maintaining
a joint fellowship hall, but ran their organizations separately.
As the social and spiritual heart of their community, the
fellowship hall became the center where assistance was
made available to members when tragedy struck families.
A century later, when Prince Edward County public
schools were closed from 1959 to 1964, the fellowship hall
was used to educate local children.
The hall was also used during times of celebration. As
far back as Cordell can remember, the society's Fellowship
Hall turned into a melting pot of revelry on the first Saturday
of August each year, as members and former members
of both organizations and their extended
families gathered.
They came from as far away as New
Jersey and Oklahoma for a large social
gathering that included home-cooked food
and live music. People turned out in such
large numbers that the event affectionately
became known as The Turnout.
" My mother and I were always so excited
co-opliving.com
VIRGINA
CROSSROADS
William Cordell at a historic fellowship hall in Farmville newly
added to the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail.
about that day, " Rhita Cordell remembers. " I knew so
many of the members as a child. They used to make
homemade ice cream that was the best I ever tasted. "
William Cordell is a gospel singer in the band
The Royal Supremes, who have performed at The
Turnout for many consecutive years.
" The Turnout is always a good time for friends and family
to reflect on African American history, " William says. " I am
glad the hall is getting the recognition it deserves. "
ENLISTING HISTORY
The trail's 12 new sites will be built on its original 41
locations, expanding the stories that recount how African
Americans, Native Americans and women fought for the
right to equal education.
Additionally, the original sites will be updated with newly
uncovered information and media. The self-guided driving
tour ranges from a one-room schoolhouse in Buckingham
County to a Petersburg site of the earliest-known high school
for African Americans in Virginia.
Virginia's Crossroads, a consortium of Southside Virginia
counties and localities, manages and markets the trail. As
driving tours become more of a focus for tourism, " heritage
trails like the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail are
an essential attraction to safely guide visitors, " says Magi
Van Eps, chair of Virginia's Crossroads.
Rita McClenny, president of Virginia Tourism Corp.,
agrees. " The expansion of the Civil Rights in Education
Heritage Trail comes at an incredibly important time, as
travelers seek authentic under-told and untold stories
that helped shape the history of our country, " she says.
" Travelers will be able to discover important legacies from
the fight for equal education, taking a deeper dive into the
moments that changed our country forever, " she adds. 
For more information, visit vacrossroads.com/
pdf/civil-rights-in-education_brochure.pdf.
October 2020 | Cooperative Living | 11
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Cooperative Living October 2020

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