This wonderful photo is from a relation of W. R. Fensom, who built the livery stable at 917 Green Alley. The photo shows Fensom’s mother seated in the vehicle, which is in front of 140 S. Cherry (now demolished at the corner of Cumberland and Cherry). Fensom’s plumbing business was to the rear of this building.

The man in the middle with the hat on is Ashby D. Fensom Sr. I think the older woman sitting in the car is Mrs. Emma Arline Rowe Fensom White. She is the mother of William Rowe Fensom and Ashby D. Fensom Sr.

Welcome to the new Oregon Hill community new blog. We’ve been working on this for a few weeks and it seems like everything is good to go, so spread the word. Wanna get involved?

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VCU’s latest plan to demolish one historic livery stable in the Oregon Hill Historic District and to move another is strongly opposed by the neighborhood’s civic association. “We strongly object to VCU’s biased study that the livery stable at 917 Green Alley proposed for demolition lacks integrity,” stated OHNA President Scott Burger. “It is obviously the University that lacks integrity by going back on their promise to not encroach further into our historic neighborhood. The latest in a long string of misrepresentations on the project is VCU’s assertion that it will make the 100,000 sq. foot addition fit in with the modest 1,500 sq. foot Oregon Hill homes.”

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1914 Foster photograph of C. W. Antrim & Sons, “Better Acquaintance Week.” Hugh Antrim is the gentleman in the white suit standing on the left streetcar third from the left of the Morara Coffee sign. Source, John Antrim.

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Livery stables are very rare survivals in the City of Richmond. The livery stable at 917 Green Alley, built in 1909 by William Rowe Fensom, is the best example of the 6 or so left in the city.

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Being not nearly as hot as last week, today is a great day to wander on over to the Byrd House Market (open from 3:30-7PM). Musical entertainment this will be provided by Mike Vogil.

Style Weekly’s The Arts 25 profiles locals that include Minimum Wage Recording’s Lance Koehler and artist Adam Juresko.

Just got back from walking the dogs- man, the VCU traffic congestion is out of control. Makes me so much eager to post some thoughts on the latest draft map of western downtown from the City’s Community Development downtown planning process…

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Mary West delights toddlers and pre-school age kids with her engaging story telling today @10AM in Story Time In the Library, and later the Byrd House Market is open from 3:30-7PM. Musical entertainment at the Market this week will be provided by Jim O’Brien playing acoustic guitar.

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Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association members have new information of a 1994 attempt by VCU to acquire/demolish 911 Green Alley and demolish 917 Green Alley, but the EIR was rejected by the DEQ, in large part because the DHR cited the rarity of surviving livery stables in Richmond. It is indisputable that thirteen years later these same livery stables are an even rarer historic resource.

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The 5th District meets with Councilman Marty Jewell, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6 p.m., at the Sun Trust Riverview Bldg., 1001 Semmes Avenue, James River Conference Room, 1st floor. For more information, call 646-5764.

Note: This is the same night as the regular monthly Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting.

On Wednesday, September 19, VCU will conduct a test of emergency sirens on both the Monroe Park and MCV Campuses. The sirens will begin at 12:00 noon and will sound for one minute and then sound a 30 second “all clear” even tone as part of a full test of VCU’s multi-level emergency communications system.

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The City is conducting a disaster training class for all City residents, Saturday, Sept. 15, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Landmark Theatre. Participants will learn fire safety, first aid, terrorism and severe weather preparedness.
Register online or call 646-7000.

The Fall Comedy Festival II starring Arnez J, Joe Clair and hosted by Anguz Black is Sat., Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m., at the Landmark Theatre. Advanced tickets are $31.50. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of the Virginia Peninsula. No employee discounts are available.

There will be a Richmond History Center Oregon Hill Sunday Walking Tour this Sunday, September 16, from 2-4PM. Meet at St. Andrew’s Church (227 South Laurel Street). Cost is $10 per person, $9 in advance, and $5 for History Center Members.

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Reverend April Greenwood of St. Andrews Episcopal wants people to know that the church is sponsoring a Fall Fair in the Grace Arents Community Gardens on Sept 30, Sunday, from noon to 3. Kids games, prizes, used book sale, plant sale, fire truck, food, etc. for the Oregon Hill neighborhood. Hope to see everyone on the 30th.

Also, don’t forget, St. Andrew’s has a Celtic Candlelight Service every 2nd and 4th Wed. at 6 pm

This from a neighbor on Cherry Street:

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Quite a doozie- I arrived home at 1:30 AM to see an RPD Paddy
wagon and patrol car stationed in front of a house on the 200 block
of Cherry (maybe 2 or 3 houses from Idlewood) with lights going and
kids and trash everywhere. I had to park a block or so away and when
I got out of the car, you could hear the roar of 300 to 400 partying
college students swarmed in the backyard of the house, screaming at
the top of their lungs. Bikes and cars parked everywhere and kids
wandering the streets with open containers of beer looking for a
place to pee.

I sat on my front porch in amazement as the police
left and more and more kids with more and more beer arrived and the
NOISE GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER! At 2AM, the RPD returned- this time 5
patrol cars and a paddy wagon with lights blazing. They entered the
backyard on foot with flashlights to disperse the crowd and swarms of
kids swelled into the streets. It took the officers maybe 25 minutes
to walk the streets sending the 300 or 400 partiers on their way as
the streets were choked with alcohol impaired children, most on foot
or on bike and all loud. All finally calmed down but after a half
hour or so the dull roar started back up although I finally made it
to sleep.

200 and 300 blocks Cherry used to be among the most peaceful on the
Hill with the proximity to Hollywood Cemetery. This garbage has got
to stop.

The Byrd House Market is open from 3:30-7PM. Musical entertainment at the Market this week will be provided by Pam McCarthy. Check out Storytelling in the Garden with Jane plus FREE kid’s activities sponsored by Polka Dot Arts, the Waldorf School, St. Andrew’s Church and the Laptop Librarian.

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Kicking & Screaming

Friday Night Movie - September 21
at dark (approx. 7:30 P.M.)
Pleasants Park
Grilled hot dogs, chips, and beverages served

I recognize that VCU President Dr. Trani may be the most powerful person in Richmond, I realize that this is “tobacco country“, and I doubt if any local mainstream media will touch this, but I do think it is important to note that Oregon Hillians are not the only ones to question the character and integrity of his actions…

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This is a a video of 5th District Councilperson Marty Jewell speaking at City Council last Monday. He is explaining his reasoning for his vote on the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation.

For background information on the controversial CenterStage plan, see Scott
Bass’ story in the latest Style Weekly or follow the ongoing
story at http://saverichmond.com

One of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association’s main assertions in the controversy over the proposed rec center is that VCU needs to fully consider alternative sites before demolishing the historic stables or Green Alley.

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Vacant Richmond currently lists 32 vacant properties in the Oregon Hill neighborhood, with another 11 identified in the “VCU neighborhood”.

The Byrd House Market is open from 3:30-7PM. Musical entertainment is an open acoustic jam session, so bring what you play. There will also be an Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting @ 7PM at the William Byrd Community House, and a 5th District meeting with Councilman Marty Jewell @ 6PM at the Sun Trust Riverview Bldg. 1001 Semmes Avenue, James River Conference Room, 1st floor.

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The headline of the RTD article says it all: VCU gym plans move ahead -
State official OKs proposed expansion of Cary St. facility into Richmond’s Oregon Hill. VCU has aproval from the state to move/demolish the 2 stables and to build a 125,000-square-foot student rec center in their place.

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