In the 1930s and 1940s, African-Americans in Roanoke were restricted to just a few neighborhoods. One was Gainsboro, just over the tracks from downtown. Among the many businesses started by black entrepreneurs in Gainsboro was "Dreamland," a swimming pool and dance hall. Dreamland is gone, but Jesse Dukes and Allison Swaim spoke to a few Roanoke residents who still remember.
On Saturday, December 7, the public is invited to the Gainsboro Community Story Share from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Gainsboro Branch YMCA, 108 Orange Ave NW.
This radio documentary was produced by Jesse Dukes and Allison Swaim for WVTF and Big Shed Media, with support from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. It was edited by Shea Shackelford.