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Current exhibit: Archived Exhibit: Celebrating the 150th Birthday of Paul Goodloe McIntire
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05.  Gifts to His Hometown

Mr. McIntire’s generosity extended beyond the boundaries of the Grounds at the University of Virginia and effectively shaped the cultural and physical landscape of his birthplace, Charlottesville, Virginia.

In the 1930s, Mr. McIntire enjoyed extended European tours, traveling to Great Britain, Italy, France and Germany.58   According to his cousin Ruth Burnley Anthony, “Mr. McIntire loved to travel and had been over a large part of the world. He thought Italy and Mexico two of the most interesting countries. One trip which he enjoyed very much was a trip from the southern tip of Africa up to the top of the continent. He used many modes of travel, walking whenever possible, riding on camels, also using trains and boats.“59   Mr. McIntire donated many artifacts that he avidly collected throughout his journeys, including books, maps,
drawings and architectural illustrations, to the city so that the children of Charlottesville could share his experiences of travel.60

He also bequeathed records and talking machines to Albemarle County schools, hoping that the students of every school would have the opportunity to hear the records and that the records would enrich the students’ education.61

In the same spirit, Mr. McIntire created a scholarship fund in 1929 for the high-achieving graduates of McIntire High School.62   He donated another $15,000 to the school in 1940 and provided comparable funds to Lane High School, as well as $50,000 to seven other area high schools.63

Furthermore, Mr. McIntire founded the public library system, called the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, for the Charlottesville and Albemarle communities on March 21, 1919.64   In addition, Mr. McIntire created five public parks, named McIntire, Lee, Belmont, Washington and Jackson.65   Mr. McIntire also provided the statues of Lee and Jackson, located in their respective parks; Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and Sacajawea, positioned at the intersection of McIntire and Ridge Roads; and Lewis and George Rogers Clark, placed at the intersection of Jefferson Park Avenue and West Main Street.66

End notes:
58.  William G. Shenkir and William R. Wilkerson, Paul G. McIntire: Businessman and Philanthropist (University of Virginia: McIntire School of Commerce Foundation, 1988), 29.
59.  Ruth Burnley Anthony, “Paul Goodloe McIntire Day” (speech, McIntire High School, Albemarle, VA 20 May 1942).
60.  William G. Shenkir and William R. Wilkerson, Paul G. McIntire: Businessman and Philanthropist (University of Virginia: McIntire School of Commerce Foundation, 1988), 18.
61.  Ibid, 18.
62.  Ibid, 19.
63.  Ibid, 19
64.  Ibid, 22-23.
65.  Stowe Keller, “Paul Goodloe McIntire, Biography,” Charlottesville Parks and Grounds, http://www.stowekeller.com/Portfolio/CityParks/Biography/PaulMcIntire.html (accessed April 15, 2010).
66.  Ibid.

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