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Stafford County leaders joined members of the Walker family to unveil a historical marker noting the old Walker’s Inn, which once stood where Stafford Hospital stands today.

Hundreds gathered at Stafford Hospital on Wednesday afternoon to witness the unveiling of a historical marker commemorating Walker’s Inn. This once-thriving community hub served as a social and cultural landmark for African Americans in Stafford County during the mid-20th century.

The dedication ceremony, part of the Stafford African American Heritage Trail initiative, brought together descendants of the Walker family, local leaders, historians, and community members to celebrate the long-overdue recognition of Walker’s Inn and its role in Stafford’s Black history.

The event was a testament to the power of memory and preservation, featuring powerful speeches from Xavier Richardson, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer of Mary Washington Healthcare, and Connie Hilker, President of the Stafford Historical Society.

A Gathering Place for Generations

According to the historical marker outside the hospital, Walker’s Inn, founded in 1941 by Andrew “Norfolk” Walker and Rosie Tyler Walker, was more than just a restaurant—it was a beacon of joy and resilience during segregation.

Located on what is now Stafford Hospital’s campus, the inn served Black soldiers from Quantico and Fort A.P. Hill and families from Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and beyond. It hosted legendary musicians like B.B. King and Dinah Washington, providing a rare and cherished space for African Americans to dance, celebrate, and build community.

Xavier Richardson, a Fredericksburg native, spoke of the profound regional impact of Walker’s Inn.

“I always knew about Walker’s Inn. I’m 67 years old, so I was never old enough to go to Walker’s Inn. But thank God, on this day, at 67 years old, I finally made it to Walker’s Inn,” he said to applause.

Though he never visited the inn in its heyday, he recounted how it drew people from across the region.

“Even though it was Stafford, people came from all over to party at Walker’s Inn. So I was told. I heard it vicariously. But I’m so proud that this is a part of the history of Stafford, and it’s being recognized as a part of the history of Stafford. And most importantly, that it’s a part of the history of this place—Stafford Hospital.”

Richardson also emphasized that the community owns Stafford Hospital, just as it now owns the story of Walker’s Inn.

“Do you know who owns Stafford Hospital? Look in the mirror. It’s you. We are a non-profit organization. We belong to the residents of this community. I want you to feel that every time you walk through the halls, that you own a piece of this place.”

Introducing the African American Heritage Trail

The Walker’s Inn marker is one of 24 stops along the newly launched Stafford County African American Heritage Trail, a self-guided digital and mobile tour that highlights the contributions of African Americans throughout three centuries of history.

Hilker formally introduced the trail at the event, expressing her excitement and personal connection to the project.

“This project perfectly fits into the mission at the Stafford County Historical Society, as we continue to collect stories of people and places in Stafford, to research and document the facts of those stories with primary sources, to collect supporting material like photos and artifacts to further enhance those stories,” Hilker said.

The trail highlights key moments in Stafford’s Black history, from:

  • Stories of enslavement and resistance at 18th and 19th-century plantations
  • The self-emancipation of thousands of enslaved people crossing the Rappahannock River to Union encampments in the 1860s
  • The emergence of Black churches as centers of community and hope
  • Mid-20th-century entertainment and social hubs like Walker’s Inn

“History Is Not Static”

Hilker grew emotional as she spoke about the story of Anthony Burns, an enslaved man who was held at Hartwood, Virginia, before escaping to Boston, where he became a national symbol of the abolitionist movement. She emphasized how new historical discoveries continue to reshape Stafford’s story.

“This is just one example to show that history is not a static thing. It grows and evolves as new sources are discovered and as existing stories are reexamined in the context of these discoveries,” she said.

Hilker also underscored the urgency of preserving marginalized histories, particularly in light of recent efforts to erase records of minority communities at the national level.

“With this trail, we honor the African Americans of Stafford by featuring the stories of their lives and accomplishments. And I believe it is the digital version of ‘Say Their Name.’”

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Christopher, Erica, and baby Kylah, Mary Washington Hospital [Photo: Mary Washington Hospital]
Mary Washington Hospital celebrated the arrival of the Fredericksburg region's first baby of the new year. Baby Kylah Ann, born at 1:55 a.m., weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce. Daughter to Erica and Christopher of Spotsylvania, Kylah was born five weeks early and received care in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Both mother and baby are doing well, the hospital reports.

Stafford Hospital also welcomed its first baby of the year, Miles Roy, born at 4:59 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 1.5 ounces. Miles’ parents, Jessica and Ken of Spotsylvania. He joins big brothers Garrett, 5, and Jackson, 2.

The hospital did not provide the last names of the parents.

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From The Stafford County Sheriff's Office:

ASSAULT:
Quarles Road, 12/7, 2:44 a.m. Deputy P.J. Leon responded to an assault. The victim advised his intoxicated roommate struck him in an unprovoked attack. After making contact with both parties, the suspect was arrested for assault and battery. He would have a new roommate at Rappahannock Regional Jail where he was held pending his ability to participate in a bond hearing.

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Stafford Hospital, 101 Hospital Center Boulevard in Stafford.

Mary Washington Healthcare's Stafford Hospital has been certified by The Joint Commission (TJC) as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital. The Fredericksburg hospital campus has been certified since 2009.

TJC is an independent, not-for-profit organization that sets standards and accredits health care organizations and programs within the United States. The Acute Stroke Ready Hospital designation is awarded to facilities that meet rigorous standards for stroke care. This includes having a dedicated stroke-focused program, trained staff, and the necessary equipment to diagnose and treat strokes swiftly and effectively. This designation is particularly impactful for Stafford Hospital, as it enhances the hospital's capability to serve a growing community, ensuring that critical stroke care is quickly accessible to those who need it most.

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Runners cross the finish line in 2023.

On April 13, 2024, the 100,000th runner in the Grand Prix Series will cross the finish line. Stafford Hospital will host its Spring Fever 5K in conjunction with the Coldwell Banker Elite Grand Prix Series and Stafford Race Series.

The Grand Prix Series features 12 local races and has been running since 1994. Tamra Wheeler, Public Relations Coordinator for Mary Washington Healthcare, provided a press briefing noting Coldwell Banker has been the title sponsor for the series for 30 years. Wheeler said there have been 318 races, which have raised between $1.2 and $2.2 million for local charities and organizations. 

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Stafford Hospital, 101 Hospital Center Boulevard in Stafford.

Stafford Hospital commemorates its fifteenth anniversary in 2024. Opening its doors in 2009, Stafford Hospital quickly became a cornerstone of healthcare in the region, complementing the existing services and meeting the growing needs of the Stafford community.

Over the past decade and a half, Stafford Hospital has been a hub of healthcare activity, delivering thousands of babies and attending to hundreds of thousands of patients in the Emergency Department. The hospital owes much of its success to the efforts of its dedicated team, supported by numerous volunteers who have contributed countless hours of service.

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Stafford Hospital, 101 Hospital Center Boulevard in Stafford.

A robot is now assisting doctors at Stafford Hospital.

The hospital acquired a $2 million da Vinci XI surgical robot system for doctors to use. Officials said that the da Vinci robot is the first step in planning to build a robust robotics program at Stafford Hospital.

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Employees at Stafford Hospital donned red in observance of "Go Red for Women," which encourages awareness of women and heart disease.

Women who "go red" follow an exercise routine, eat a healthier diet, visit a doctor for tests, and influence others by talking about heart health, according to the organization's website.

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Stafford Hospital welcomed its first 33-week gestation baby to the newly expanded Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in December 2022.

The hospital told us today the child, Bellamy Scotlyn was born on December 23, 2022, weighing 4 pounds, 5 ounces. Doctors and nurses at Stafford Hospital's newly expanded Level II NICU cared for the premature baby and mother.

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