The Attic Storehouse

Guest Blog by Fletcher Dalton

Member of the MARC Board of Directors & Publicity Committee

Washington Mills Benefits Booklet, courtesy of Fletcher Dalton

I untied the faded ribbon from a dusty box in my attic and found my father’s benefit review and medical plan from Washington Mills Company in Mayodan.

(The company, makers of Spruce sportswear, sleepwear and underwear, was for years the largest employer of local people.)  The benefits review brought back memories of my father and his years as a courier for the company.

Washington Mills employees, including Mr. Dalton, Bullins Collection

William Elbert Dalton, courtesy of Fletcher Dalton

My father’s benefit package shows workers busy at machines, having lunch in the break room, and engaged in other activities in various rooms at the plant.

​Rummaging in the attic last year also revealed a wealth of material about Madison’s Freetown, an area within Madison where freed Afro-Americans built their own homes, schools and a library, restaurants and grocery stores, churches and various social meeting places.

What memories, written or photographic, are stored in your attic? Are there intriguing facts or items concerning your home town or other towns (or notable residents) in Rockingham County? Are you willing to share these with readers of the MARC Newsletter or Blog?

If so, contact the MARC. We look forward to hearing from you.