Welcome to the Blue Ridge Scouting History Blog, celebrating stories from the Roanoke Area Council, Piedmont Area Council, and Blue Ridge Mountains Council, BSA. You’ll find here a good assortment of narratives, photos and artifacts from over the years, going back to our first council’s origins in 1915. This project has had many versions over the past 25 years, and has grown into a robust archive of stories, images, newspaper articles and other source documents. If you wish to contribute any of the above, please contact the editor by using our Contact Form. In the name of preservation, we appreciate your help!
-
Roanoke Sea Scouts on the Chesapeake Bay During WWII
Sea Scouts in the Roanoke Area Council began during World War II, with the first local ship being chartered in December, 1942, at Oakland Baptist Church in the Williamson Road area. The next boat to form was in May, 1944, at Calvary Baptist Church, closer to downtown. Later that same summer, in August, 1944, these…
-
William Eaton, Roanoke Scout from 1930s
In late October, at a gathering of friends, my old Troop 50 mate Ralph Eaton mentioned that he might have something of interest to the archives. “I have an old scout shirt that belonged to my grandfather, it’s been in the basement for years. It has a Camp Powhatan patch from the 1930’s.” My mind…
-
Interview with Longtime Scouter John Munton
by Stephen Warren A well-known BRSR Camp Staffer from the 1970s, John was also part of the first year of the High Knoll Trail program. He stopped by my house to drop off some of his patches and mugs for the archive, and we spent time reminiscing about his early scouting days. John Munton was…
-
A Bargain at Any Cost
As long as I can remember, a Scout uniform has always seemed expensive. Here’s a newsflash: It is cheaper now than it was in 1915 when so many kids were joining the movement! Converted to today’s dollars, a uniform in those days cost $257 and that didn’t include a neckerchief, but it did include a…
-
A History of the Blue Ridge Mountains Council Scout Reservation
As Recalled by Joe Davis, Scout Executive of BRMC (1956-1960) This Narrative was Compiled by Ben Crawford of Blacksburg, VA in June, 1998 It was the November 1956 meeting of the Blue Ridge Council Executive Board when Dr. Charles Martin took me aside to inform me that he had received authorization to sell the mountain…
-
1978 Camp Powhatan Map Donated to Archive
In 1978, James Potter painted this map of Camp Powhatan which (I believe) was placed in a kiosk at the edge of the parade field. A few years later, in 1983, his younger brother Mark repaired and updated the map. The modified painting eventually became outdated and was removed. I’m not sure of the year,…
-
History Displays Added to Camp Powhatan for 2025
By Stephen Warren One of the biggest opportunities for the Blue Ridge Scouting History Project this year has happened at Camp Powhatan. Following a successful Winter Camp, in which a pop-up museum was displayed in the lounge for purposes of merit badge instruction, the suggestion was made by leadership to put some history displays on…
-
Camp Dubernwaski
A Brief History of Camp Dubernwaski of Max Creek Village, Virginia(circa 1935-1941) By Stephen C. Warren – February, 2025 Background: During the height of the Great Depression, the United States Congress passed the Federal Emergency Relief Act of May, 1933, and created the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). Over the next 18 months, more than…