Brooks Smith
Brooks Smith
Brooks Smith is a Richmond lawyer, writer and storyteller. His Rediscovering Richmond commentary series has aired regularly on WCVE Public Radio since September 2005. Through these commentaries, Brooks has reprised all manner of forgotten tales that tell the story of Richmond.

Stories from Brooks Smith...

The Quaint Game of Quoits

Brooks Smith in Essays

Essayist Brooks Smith, rediscovering Richmond's sports history, has found that in the 18th century, Virginians enjoyed a game called quoits.

The Boys of Tuckahoe

Brooks Smith in Essays

Essayist Brooks Smith has rediscovered a glorious year when the Tuckahoe Little League won all the marbles.

When Richmond Hosted a Major Golf Tournament

Brooks Smith in Essays

Essayist Brooks Smith, rediscovering Richmond's sports history, recalls the high point of the city's connection with golf.

Soap Box Derby Days

Brooks Smith in Essays

Essayist Brooks Smith -- rediscovering Richmond sports history -- retells some memories of the Soap Box Derby.

Strawberry Hill and Camptown

Brooks Smith in Essays

Essayist Brooks Smith, rediscovering Richmond's sports history, tells about two distinctively different horse races.

Baseball

Brooks Smith in Essays

Major League Baseball will begin soon, and Richmond will be getting a new Minor League team this year. Richmond has a long history of baseball tradition.

How Richmond Missed a Chance to be an Amateur Sports Mecca

Brooks Smith in Essays

Brooks Smith recalls an ill-fated effort to bring a world Olympic festival to Richmond.

Olympians

Brooks Smith in Essays

At least 20 Richmonders have competed as Olympians, and more than likely, the true number is double or triple what is found in the local archives.

A Horse Named Planet

Brooks Smith in Essays

Secretariat’s larger-than-life mystique tends to eclipse the triumphs of many great race horses from the Richmond area. However, one stands out as maybe the best of the forgotten.

Plum Street Boys

Brooks Smith in Essays

Affectionately known as the Plum Street Boys, or simply the Boys, Robert Watkins and deVeaux Riddick are creative geniuses who have been together – on stage and off – for over fifty years.