Botetourt native Norvel Lee (1924-1992) won a gold metal in boxing for the USA at the Olympics Games in Helsinki, Finland, in 1952. These are his boxing gloves and shirt, which were donated to the Botetourt Museum of History and Culture by his family. Norvel attended Academy Hill School in Fincastle, trained as a Tuskegee airman during WWII, graduated from Howard University, was an officer in the US Air Force Reserves and was a champion of the Civil Rights movement. A historic VDOT marker was dedicated in Eagle Rock on September 17, 2022, and a section of Rt. 220 was named the Norvel Lee Highway. The book “NORVEL LEE “ by Kenneth Conklin is available along with this display at the BCHS Museum. The Olympics bring all countries and people together despite their diversity.
~ Botetourt Musuem of History & Culture
