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History Reinvented: The Stairs to Nowhere

History Reinvented: The Stairs to Nowhere

By: Ian Stewart
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About this listen

In this new season of History Reinvented we’ll uncover stories of Pine Camp.

In the late 19th century, the 160 acres along the northern border of the city of Richmond was known as the City Farm or City Jail Farm. Later on, Richmonders who were battling contagious diseases, including smallpox and tuberculosis, were isolated on the property.


But because this was the post Civil War South and the height of the Jim Crow era, only white patients were treated until eventually a separate house was built for the city’s Black population. When vaccinations were finally able to stem the diseases, the land and buildings began to take on new life. And while the whites only building remained, the Black ward was torn down.


It’s here where mysteries are being uncovered and the history of those patients and the land itself is being rediscovered. And it’s here where the land is taking on a new life which will allow new stories to emerge.



© 2025 History Reinvented: The Stairs to Nowhere
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Episodes
  • Historical Trash
    Oct 17 2025

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    On this installment of History Reinvented, Pine Camp, the stairs to nowhere, I walk a new bike and running trail on the edge of Pine Camp, right near John Marshall High School with Emily Monroe, a long time bike advocate and all around cool person in Richmond.

    The beginner friendly loop, nicknamed the glass loop, is filled with invasive species, and families of deer — we see it all. The loop was once a pirate loop. This is the future of Pine Camp.

    History Reinvented is created solely by me, Ian Stewart. I’m a freelance journalist, and a longtime, former public radio reporter. I’ve got no sponsors at this time–so, if you’d like to sponsor this podcast series, let me know. I’d love to do other deep dives into the history of Richmond or surrounding areas.

    If you like History Reinvented and want to support my efforts then please consider subscribing to it . You can also help support my efforts by sharing this podcast on all your socials and by rating it and leaving a comment .

    If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. You can also Venmo me a few dollars at Ian-Stewart-82 to buy me some coffee or gas. Thanks!

    Be sure to check out my other podcast, called The Mechanics of Transportation in which I talk to local Richmond and national experts about all things transportation. And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music Show on Mixcloud.

    Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad.

    Support the show

    History Reinvented is a Big Soap Production.
    Email me: Ian07stewart@gmail.com. Venmo: Ian-stewart-82
    Follow me on Blue Sky at Ianstewartcycles.bsky.social; Threads & Instagram at just_ianstewart

    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
  • It's all about the Culture
    Oct 13 2025

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    In this episode of History Reinvented: Pine Camp the stairs to nowhere, we leave the past and head into the present. I speak with Diane Hayes of the Parks and Rec department in Richmond. She’s the cultural arts manager there at Pine Camp.

    Growing up in Richmond, she’s seen the changes at Pine Camp and is now at the center of all the really cool activities that are going on there.

    History Reinvented is created solely by me, Ian Stewart. I’m a freelance journalist, and a longtime, former public radio reporter. I’ve got no sponsors at this time–so, if you’d like to sponsor this podcast series, let me know. I’d love to do other deep dives into the history of Richmond or surrounding areas.

    If you like History Reinvented and want to support my efforts then please consider subscribing to it . You can also help support my efforts by sharing this podcast on all your socials and by rating it and leaving a comment .

    If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. You can also Venmo me a few dollars at Ian-Stewart-82 to buy me some coffee or gas. Thanks!

    Be sure to check out my other podcast, called The Mechanics of Transportation in which I talk to local Richmond and national experts about all things transportation. And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud.

    Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad.

    Support the show

    History Reinvented is a Big Soap Production.
    Email me: Ian07stewart@gmail.com. Venmo: Ian-stewart-82
    Follow me on Blue Sky at Ianstewartcycles.bsky.social; Threads & Instagram at just_ianstewart

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Your Stay in Pine Camp
    Oct 3 2025

    Send us a text

    In this episode of History Reinvented: Pine Camp the stairs to nowhere, I take us inside the Library of Virginia. It’s here that the great Librarians pulled a special pamphlet from their collection.

    It’s called "Your Stay at Pine Camp." I say pamphlet but it’s got more than 20 plus pages of information, including drawings of stick figures, and a glossary of terms to help patients. It was put together and distributed by the Richmond Department of Public Health.

    The tiny booklet is not available for checkout, so I could only read it in one of the rooms at the library, which is why this shortened episode is just me, talking above a whisper because, well you know, I’m in a library.

    History Reinvented is created solely by me, Ian Stewart. I’m a freelance journalist, and a longtime, former public radio reporter. I’ve got no sponsors at this time–so, if you’d like to sponsor this podcast series, let me know. I’d love to do other deep dives into the history of Richmond or surrounding areas.

    If you like History Reinvented and want to support my efforts then please consider subscribing to it . You can also help support my efforts by sharing this podcast on all your socials and by rating it and leaving a comment .

    If you do subscribe I’ll be sure to thank you at the end of each episode. You can also Venmo me a few dollars at Ian-Stewart-82 to buy me some coffee or gas.

    Be sure to check out my other podcast, called The Mechanics of Transportation in which I talk to local Richmond and national experts about all things transportation. And, if you like music, check out Ian’s World O’ Music show on Mixcloud.

    Plus, you can always look for my freelance work on outlets like Virginia Mercury, The Richmonder, Richmond Magazine and on the podcast Full Disclosure with Roben Farzad.

    Support the show

    History Reinvented is a Big Soap Production.
    Email me: Ian07stewart@gmail.com. Venmo: Ian-stewart-82
    Follow me on Blue Sky at Ianstewartcycles.bsky.social; Threads & Instagram at just_ianstewart

    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
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