HOT OFF THE PRESS:
FULL EXCAVATION OF THE LUMPKIN'S JAIL COMPLEX
BEGINS UNDER SUNNY SKIES!
Years of research and negotiation with the City of Richmond, the Richmond Slave Trail Commission, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, James River Institute, and A.C.O.R.N culminated Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 in the beginning of a full excavation of the Lumpkin's Jail Complex on Richmond's infamous "Devil's Acre" at the parking lot at North 16th and East Broad streets. With a team of archaeologists on site and an enormous steam shovel at their backs, the archaeology crew began the undertaking that Councilwoman Delores McQuinn called "a tribute to our ancestors" and ACORN Director David Herring said was a real "Indiana Jones" moment for Richmond.
A.C.O.R.N. has good reason to be enthusiastic. The organization first became involved with the Slave Trail Commission in 2002 with the rescue of the Winfree Slave Cottage from demolition. When the Winfree Cottage was relocated nearby to the site of Lumpkin's Jail, also the founding place of Virginia Union University, discussion began over how the history of this one-time slave trading center should be explored, and unearthed. Lumpkin's Jail, in the heart of Shockoe Bottom, was once the largest slave market in the southern United States. Matt Laird, archeaologist with James River Institute, says the soil on this location and the layer of asphalt pavement covering the site has likely preserved artifacts they may find underneath the current layer of the parking lot.
Laird's team will be hard at work for the rest of the summer on the Lumpkin's Jail Complex, excavating 5 to 8 feet down in a 40 by 20 foot pit under the summer sun. Thanks to their hard work, as well as that of City Project Development Manager Jeannie Welliver, Councilwoman McQuinn, the Slave Trail Commission and many others, this very important historical site can now be explored, and the slaves who once suffered there be honored.
CLICK HERE for the Online Slave Trade Database for information on thousands of slave-trading ships that criss-crossed the Atlantic from 1500-1900. This database makes it possible to explore information about the points of departure and arrival of slave-trading ships, as well as the names, genders, ages, and origins of those Africans held captive on board, shedding new light on the obscure history of the trans-atlantic slave trade.
CLICK HERE to see pictures of the Lumpkins Jail Complex excavation.
CLICK HERE for extensive coverage of the event by the news media.
A.C.O.R.N. SUPPORTS UNION HILL HISTORIC DISTRICT INITIATIVE
As a part of its mission to conserve Richmond's oldest, most historic, and most endangered communities, A.C.O.R.N. has donated funds in support of Union Hill's Historic District Initiative (UHHDI).
Union Hill is another historic residential gem situated adjacent to the northern boundary of Church Hill on the high western bluff above Shockoe Valley. Bordered on the south by Jefferson Avenue, on the north by Carrington Street, on the west by 25th Street, and by Mosby on the east, the area is a living-history neighborhood located conveniently to downtown Richmond. [Click here to see a map of the proposed boundaries of the Union Hill Historic District.]
The term "Union Hill" first occurs in 1817-- probably referring to the combination of several hills that had been joined by fill and grading over the years. Now, in the 21st century, houses of a remarkable architectural mix still line the irregular, picturesque, and sometimes narrow streets that follow the curve of the hill. Those lining Jefferson Park have clear and spectacular views of the city.
While Union Hill's building lots were laid off in 1805, it was not until 1845 that tradesmen began to build in earnest along the cobblestone streets (many of which still exist today). These shoemakers, coach painters, tailors, carpenters, and mechanics found assistance from The Richmond Building And Loan Fund Association. Many of the frame houses changed hands frequently over the years, but several remained in families for generations. Attractive one-story cottages and two-story dwellings with scroll-saw verandahs, and houses with extended wings and shuttered porches stand along the hilly streets of Union Hill.
In this antebellum period a free-black and white working-class population lived harmoniously. During this same period a large influx of skilled German immigrants settled in Union Hill and added a Lutheran Church to the already established Methodist and Baptists churches. Union Hill still retains a variety of old church buildings, which compliment the small neighborhood environs. It was annexed by the City of Richmond in 1867.
A.C.O.R.N. was pleased to contribute $1,000.00 to help the UHHDI cover printing, mailing and related costs for the distribution of information to all property owners in the community in support of Historic District designation.
For additional information, contact Elaine Odell at (804) 788-4617 or elaine@churchhillphoto.com, or find out more about UHHDI at their blogspot.
DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN: COMMISSION PASSES PLAN !
NOW ONTO CITY COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION.
After several hours of concentrated discussion, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to pass the Downtown Master Plan along to City Council for consideration in September. This Revised Draft of the Master Plan is fairly intact, although several accommodations favored corporate interests on key points rather than considering what might be best for all citizens. For example, the approved plan calls for Mayo Island and Echo Harbor river front property to include both development options and some public access to these parcels. The initial draft of the plan suggested the city should acquire and set aside these properties for parks and public access. Overall, A.C.O.R.N. is pleased with the total outcome for the Master Plan document and will work to ensure that City Council will adopt this plan in September. CLICK HERE to read the RTD article on the topic.
Planning Commission members have spent countless hours listening to interests from all perspectives. Please take a quick moment and thank them for their hard work and for Passing the Plan along to City Council.
- CLICK HERE and send an email thanking Planning Commission members
- CLICK HERE to review the Revised Draft approved by the Planning Commission
SOS FOR DOWNTOWN RICHMOND!
BOND FUNDING GONE FOR THE FORMER MURPY HOTEL.
We lost the landmark Murphy Hotel... after years of neglect... which resulted in the demolition of a proud old building deemed "unsafe." Now we need your help to achieve the promised rehabilitation of the historic Hotel Richmond (aka, the Ninth Street Office Building) and new construction on the now-vacant 8th Street site.
PROPOSED DESIGN FOR NEW BUILDING
Preservation and community representatives-- including the APVA Preservation Virginia, Historic Richmond, A.C.O.R.N., the City of Richmond, Richmond Renaissance, Capitol Square, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and the Virginia Department of General Services-- met many times for several months to consider designs and other considerations for both the rehabilitation and the new construction. The funds spent (almost $13 million) for all the planning and preparation for a new building are at stake because lawmakers are in disagreement about the projects to be included in the bond package.
TO DATE:
- No funding was appropriated in the Bond Bill for rehabilitating the Hotel Richmond OR constructing a new building along Broad Street
- A new building may still be on the horizon. General Assembly has decided a new building along Broad Street on the site of the former Murphy Hotel will be developed in accordance with the Public-Private Educational Facilities Infrastructure Act (PPEA).
At the moment, a vacant lot will remain on the landscape of Broad Street between 8th & 9th Streets until the language is developed to construct a new building in a PPEA venture. CLICK HERE for information on how to contact information for your representatives, bond bill conferees and the governor. Let them know it is NOT acceptable to have an ENTIRE empty block face along the main street of Richmond ~ Virginia's Capital.
A.C.O.R.N. RECOGNIZES BLACKS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUILDING OF RICHMOND'S NEIGHBORHOODS
THE SECOND PRINTING IS HERE! A second printing of this well-received publication has been delivered to retail locations around Richmond. Many thanks to everyone for the interest in this subject, which is so crucial to understanding Richmond's history and how its neighborhoods have evolved.
Slaves and free blacks played a vast role in the construction and design of America's cities; yet they are largely unrecognized for the role they played in the construction and design of one of America's most historic cities-- Richmond Virginia. To bring attention to the contributions of African Americans to the city's architectural heritage and to encourage the preservation of what remains of this impressive legacy, the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods (A.C.O.R.N.) has proudly published Built by Blacks: African American Architecture and Neighborhoods in Richmond, VA.
Fountain Books reported Built by Blacks as its #1 bestselling book in 2006 in just 15 days! A.C.O.R.N held a Book Signing Party, and the author, Selden Richardson, along with Editor/Photographer Maurice Duke were on hand to personally autograph the book.
Read the full Press Release / Retail locations, reviews & comments
A.C.O.R.N. ENCOURAGES NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION THROUGH ITS HISTORIC TAX CREDIT SERVICE
![[Click here to see a map of the proposed boundaries of the Union Hill Historic District.]](images/UnionHillHDBoundaryMap2008.jpg){kind=link}
Typically utilized as a tool for developers for large, commercial renovation projects such as Tobacco Row or Rocketts Landing, historic tax credits can also greatly benefit the individual home owner renovating a historic structure for a residence. A.C.O.R.N. has initiated a Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Service help people navigate the 3-Part application process. Most of the large projects in Richmond have utilized Historic Tax Credits and the small developer or homeowner can use this very same tool. READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY » Not only do historic tax credits provide a tax benefit to the user, the economic impact in the state of Virginia since the inception of the program in 1998, has been enormous. A new brochure has been published by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources quantifying the impact of the historic tax credit. The new booklet, Prosperity Through Preservation quantifies the total economic benefit to the Commonwealth to be $1,519 MILLION! To say the Historic Tax Credit Program has been a success is an understatement. An online version of the booklet will be available soon but in the meantime, contact A.C.O.R.N. via phone (804-422-2148) or email
( info@richmondneighbohroods.org ) if you would like a hard copy of this booklet that shows that preservation of our historic architecture pays!
