Historic Resources Committee

Formal opening of the meeting at 10:00 AM.

Committee members vote to approve the agenda for this meeting.

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

Members of the public are invited to speak on any topic for up to 5 minutes total.

Council will discuss and take comments about updates to virtual meeting capabilities starting at 10:15 AM.

Council will discuss a historical marker planned for Court Square, with 15 minutes allocated starting at 10:20 AM.

Council will discuss and potentially adopt a city policy governing how the city memorializes people, places, and events, with 35 minutes for discussion starting at 10:35 AM.

A 30-minute presentation on the history of Vinegar Hill, a historically significant African American neighborhood in Charlottesville, starting at 11:10 AM.

Brief update on the Albemarle County Historical Society (ACHS).

Brief discussion of the Liberty Bell Replica, a procedural matter.

The chair will report on committee activities and any relevant matters to the full City Council.

Council will continue a discussion from a previous meeting.

Committee staff will provide updates on current work and activities.

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

Discussion of a concept for Vinegar Hill Park, a proposed park development for the Vinegar Hill neighborhood.

A walking tour scheduled for September highlighting Martha Jefferson and Little High neighborhoods, led by J. Rice.

A walking tour scheduled for October highlighting the Barracks Road and Rugby neighborhoods, led by L. Pola.

A walking tour scheduled for December highlighting the Belmont neighborhood, led by D. Berry.

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

Preview of agenda items planned for the September 21st meeting, along with announcements and closing remarks.

Discussion of education-related topics or initiatives.

Discussion of historic public memorials and commemorations, including plaques, signs, markers, and civic events in Charlottesville.

Discussion of educational materials and media produced by the committee, such as maps, brochures, tour books, and digital resources.

Discussion of public engagement events including planning sessions, workshops, and lectures offered by the committee.

Explanation of public comment procedures and accessibility accommodations for committee meetings, including time limits and ADA contact information.

Report that Preservation Virginia currently has four participants enrolled in their African American Fellowship Program.

A request to reconsider a commemorative project for Vinegar Hill, including the possibility of installing a state historic marker in the area of the former Vinegar Hill community.

Welcoming of Jonathan Rice as a new member of the committee.

Recognition and thanks to Jen Trompetter for her service on the committee as she transitions to the Board of Architectural Review.

The committee will continue reviewing and discussing a draft policy, including how to handle nominations and applications, identify funding sources, and work with community partners and city staff. Members proposed edits to make the language, procedures, and outcomes clearer.

Photos from a recent event have been saved and archived, and the committee is thanking L. Pola, H. Keller, and other volunteers who helped make the event successful.

Members will review notes from a virtual presentation given by E. Shillue regarding Historical Records Commission (HRC) meeting minutes from July 10, 2026.

Members will review a virtual update provided by O. Brown.

The chair will lead the group through a detailed review of the HRC's rules of procedure as revised in August 2017.

B. Bergen will provide a check-in update to the committee.

Reference to news coverage of Charlottesville's Liberty Bell replica being rung during July 4th celebrations.

The Liberty Bell subcommittee is continuing to research the replica's ownership and legal history; they will meet before the next HRC meeting in August to decide next steps.

A walking tour of the Lewis Mountain neighborhood is scheduled for July, led by B. Bergen.

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

Walking tours of the Martha Jefferson and Little High neighborhoods are scheduled for September, led by J. Rice.

A walking tour of the Barracks Road and Rugby neighborhoods is scheduled for October, led by L. Pola.

A walking tour of the Belmont neighborhood is scheduled for December, led by D. Berry.

Promotional flyers for all BPAC community walking tours organized by the HRC are available online via the provided Google Drive link.

A previously postponed discussion about creating an online system for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission's walking tour flyers will resume when staff capacity permits.

The committee will discuss decorative banners for Court Square.

Staff will present a budget update for fiscal year 2027 when it becomes available in August.

The committee chair will give a presentation to the City Council in September.

The committee reviewed its current workplan; no new tasks requiring staff action were identified at this time.

A resident's request to install a slate marker on a light post at No. Nothing is being revisited following previous committee review.

The committee will address concerns about maintaining and inventorying the city's historic markers.

Staff shared a book about the built environment and memory in Charlottesville with Tom Seabrook as a resource for historical research.

A committee member announced an upcoming public parks tour led by the Journal of Scholarly Advancement and suggested the committee attend together.

Announcement that applications for Preservation Virginia's African American Fellowship Program will reopen in the fall.