Commems Collection Classic: 1937 Roanoke Colony - Ephemera III

Here I present a piece of ephemera that has a sorta, kinda, if you squint hard enough, link to the 1937 Sir Walter Raleigh-Virginia Dare (aka the "Roanoke") commemorative half dollar. Of course, I speak of the original sheet music for the "Virginia Dare March."

I remember when I came across this piece, it caught my eye because of the line art version of Eleanor Dare holding Virginia that was included on the sheet music's front cover - it depicts Eleanor and Virginia as they are seen on the reverse of the coin. For those familiar with the Roanoke half dollar, the image of Eleanor Dare is likely instantly familiar.

As you can see from the image below, the song was composed by Pearl Baum Scharff of Roanoke Island; it was written in the early 1930s. Ms. Scharff was born in Wanchese, Dare County, NC on September 13, 1890 and died, at the age of 105, on February 28, 1996 in Nags Head, Dare County, NC. From what I've read, she was a piano player who was also a song writer; her husband appeared in multiple roles in the original 1937 production of "The Lost Colony" at Manteo, NC (on Roanoke Island, the site of the historic colony). FYI: The play continues to be staged every summer between late May/early June and August.

Paul Green, author of "The Lost Colony" play, had the composition played for him in 1934; he is said to have enjoyed it very much and encouraged Ms. Scharff to get it published.

I don't read music, so I can't "play" the song in my mind. I have not been able to locate a recording of the song, so I have never heard it performed. It appears to be somewhat of a soundtrack for the adventure experienced by the colonists as it features sub-titles for various sections of the music (the sections are too brief to be considered movements, IMO). They are as follows:

- Happiness of the Colonists over their new home
- Rejoicing over the birth of Virginia Dare
- Christening of Virginia Dare
- Approach of the Indians
- Indian Call
- Colonists in Confusion
- Farewell to Roanoke Island

The March was part of the 350th anniversary celebrations held at Old Fort Raleigh in 1937. It was played by the US Marine Band on August 18, 1937 and was included on the live radio broadcast of the proceedings. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the crowd at the festivities, and was a highlight of the radio broadcast. (I've discussed his address here: 1937 Roanoke Colony Memorial - FDR At The Anniversary Celebration.)

Note: A bit of "The Lost Colony" trivia: In 1952, Andy Griffith played Sir Walter Raleigh.

March of virginia Dare Sheet Music




1937 Roanoke Colony Memorial Half Dollar



For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more on the Roanoke half dollar, see: Commems Collection.