For Black History Month, the Salem Museum highlights an item from the Carver School. The Carver School was an important educational and cultural anchor which served Roanoke County’s Black students during the time of segregation.
Like any school, athletics were an important part of student life at the Carver School. This letterman sweater is from the early 1960s. It belonged to Wayne Harris who lettered in football, basketball and choir. Like many Carver students, Harris followed his teachers into education, and went on to be the Superintendent of Roanoke City Public Schools.
This Carver letterman sweater is on display in the Salem Museum’s exhibit “A Winning Tradition: Salem’s Champions Gallery.” It is one of many pieces of local Black History visitors can discover at the Salem Museum.
“A Winning Tradition” highlights the history of local schools and sports complexes, and the stories of many Champions in athletics, academics, the arts, and civic and professional life. The centerpiece of the gallery is the Champions’ Kiosk, providing visitors with an interactive, searchable record of all of Salem’s Champions, with pictures and text to record their stories.
The Salem Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and located at 801 E. Main St.
