Historic Resources Committee

Official start of the meeting at 10:00 AM.

Council members will vote to approve the agenda for today's meeting.

Council will review and approve the official minutes from the July 10, 2026 meeting.

Residents will have 5 minutes at the start of the meeting to make public comments or introduce themselves.

Council will hear comments about updates to virtual meeting options, lasting 5 minutes.

An hour-long discussion about a historical marker being placed at Court Square, starting at 10:20 AM.

Council will review and discuss the city's policy for memorializing people and historical events, taking 10 minutes starting at 11:20 AM.

A 10-minute discussion at 11:30 AM about the history of Vinegar Hill, a historically significant neighborhood in Charlottesville.

City leadership will review a request submitted by CSEM (Center for the Study of Enslaved and Marginalized Peoples or similar organization).

Council will discuss recommendations made by the Human Rights Commission regarding memorialization efforts.

A subcommittee will provide an update on efforts to research and establish ownership of a Liberty Bell replica in Charlottesville.

Committee members may share announcements if there are any.

A trial or test run of a nomination process will be conducted.

Council will examine existing and proposed historical markers and signs throughout the city.

Discussion of a concept plan for Vinegar Hill Park, proposed by L. Knotts.

Planning for neighborhood walking tours scheduled for August, focusing on the Fifeville neighborhood.

Planning for September neighborhood walking tours led by J. Rice covering Martha Jefferson and Little High neighborhoods.

Planning for October neighborhood walking tours led by L. Pola covering the Barracks Road and Rugby neighborhoods.

Discussion of a Liberty Bell Replica located in Belmont, led by D. Berry.

A subcommittee will provide an update on their recent work or findings.

The Historic Resources Committee will review agenda items related to the Comprehensive Plan update scheduled for August 14, 2026.

The chair of the Historic Resources Committee will report to City Council on the committee's activities and decisions from September 21st.

Time set aside for additional notes or items to be determined later.

The committee discusses education initiatives and programs.

The committee oversees historic plaques, signs, markers, and civic festivals and ceremonies that commemorate Charlottesville's history.

The committee produces publications such as maps, brochures, tour books, and digital media to share local history.

The committee organizes public meetings including planning sessions, workshops, and lectures for community engagement.

Guidelines for public comment and accessibility accommodations for Historic Resources Committee meetings, including procedures for residents to provide input and how to request disability accommodations.

Preservation Virginia is currently supporting four participants in their African American Fellowship Program.

Community members are asking the Historic Resources Committee to reconsider a commemorative project for Vinegar Hill, including installing a Virginia historical marker near the former Vinegar Hill community location.

Jonathan Rice is being welcomed as a new member of the Human Relations Commission.

The HRC is thanking Jen Trompetter for her service before she left to join the Board of Architectural Review.

The HRC will discuss proposed edits to clarify language, processes, and outcomes in the memorialization policy.

The HRC will review photographs from a recent event and thank the volunteers and members who contributed to its success.

HRC member E. Shillue will provide a virtual update to the commission.

HRC member O. Brown will provide a virtual update to the commission.

The chair will lead the HRC through a review of the organization's rules of procedure from August 2017.

B. Bergen will provide a check-in on the Liberty Bell replica project.

News coverage of the Liberty Bell replica and its role in local July Fourth celebrations will be referenced.

The Liberty Bell subcommittee is continuing research on ownership and title of the replica and will reconvene before the next HRC meeting to decide next steps.

B. Bergen will lead a walking tour of the Lewis Mountain neighborhood in July.

A walking tour of the Fifeville neighborhood is scheduled for August.

A procedural update on Martha Jefferson and Little High school properties scheduled for September discussion, led by J. Rice.

A procedural update on Barracks Road and Rugby Avenue properties scheduled for October discussion, led by L. Pola.

A procedural update on the Belmont property scheduled for December discussion, led by D. Berry.

Community members can access walking tour flyers created by the Historic Resources Committee through a shared online folder.

Continued discussion about developing an online system for the BPAC walking tour flyers, which was postponed and will resume when staff capacity allows.

Discussion about banners to be displayed at Court Square.

A budget update for the 2027 fiscal year will be provided in August.

The Historic Resources Committee chair will present to City Council in September.

A review of the committee's work plan found no outstanding staff action items at this time.

A resident's ongoing request for a slate marker at a light post on North Nothing Street, based on previous committee discussions.

Discussion of the city's historic marker inventory and concerns about maintenance of existing markers.

Staff shared a book about the built environment and memory in Charlottesville with community member Tom Seabrook.

D. Berry announced a public parks tour led by the James Still African American Heritage Committee and invited the Historic Resources Committee to attend together.

Applications for Preservation Virginia's African American Fellowship Program will reopen in the fall.