Blackwell Family Reunion History
On March 28, 1952, during the dinner hour in the home of Estelle Blackwell in Richmond, Virginia, after the eulogy and burial of her brother, Nay Woodrow Blackwell, Estelle said, “The family should gather often for a happy occasion.”
The tasty food enjoyed by relatives following the sad event marked the beginning of the Blackwell Family Reunion.
Estelle’s brother, Hammett Blackwell II, designated as Acting President, agreed with the relatives to meet once a year to liven up the members’ spirits and bond linked ties.
Relatives attending the birthday party of Estelle and Hammett on January 22, 1953, organized and adopted the name, “The Blackwell Family Reunion.” A year or two later, Hammett added the word “club,” and then the title of the family organization became the “Blackwell Family Reunion Club.”
The social was held annually on the second Saturday in August during revival of either Cedar Creek Baptist Church or Gitfield Creek Baptist Church in Lunenburg County, Virginia.
The birthday meeting grew into larger gatherings that moved from the small indoor birthday party to the outdoor yards of family members’ farms, where some of the food was prepared and served picnic-style. The weather was hot and some food spoiled; therefore, the family decided to use community centers and changed the date to the fourth Saturday in October when the weather is cooler. They carried their food in baskets or boxes and served it buffet-style. Relatives became weary of carrying food to centers and moved to banquet service in hotels.
In 1986, the words “reunion club” were dropped and Association was added and the organization voted for its new name to be “The Blackwell Family Association.”
