Lecturer To Examine Civil Rights and Race Relations in Virginia Public Education

William Byrd Community House is pleased to announce the next lecture in its Hans S. Falck Lectureship on Social Responsibility, Civil Rights and Race Relations in Virginia Public Education: A Case Study in Social Change, for Thursday, October 23, 2008 from 7-9PM at St. Andrew’s School Auditorium (236 S Laurel St., Richmond, VA 23220). For additional information and directions call: 804-643-2717 or visit the WBCH website at: http://wbch.org.

Continue reading

1990 Park Plans

Still on the theme of plans. Last post was of a prospectus for a museum that never happened. This post is of something that did happen- the linear park along Belvidere. These plans (link takes you to .pdf file, which may take a little time to load) are dated 1990, but the idea for the park goes goes back much further. Before the new Lee Bridge was built and U.S. 1 was created, Belvidere was a one lane, tree-lined, residential street like Laurel St. Sadly, the last house that faced Belvidere was destroyed earlier this year. The park concept was thought of as something that would offer a buffer from the increasing traffic of Belvidere and also lead to peaceful passage to the river. The hope was also that it would extend north to Monroe Park and northern neighborhoods as a real greenway for the City. The river connection finally came into place with the help of grants and attention from resident Napi Ippolito. Although grant money and assistance has been sought for the northern extension from Idlewood, that has not yet happened. I know a lot of us were hoping that this small greenway could become part of the East Cost Greenway. Anyway, I am hoping others can add more in the comments on this post.

What Might Have Been Or What Could Be?

The mayoral race is running hot and heavy. Meanwhile, the Downtown Master Plan still simmers

I have been hinting at various other plans, both past and future, and with Murden’s help I am going to try to unearth and present some past ones here.

Starting with this prospectus for a Virginia Transportation Museum (this is a big .pdf file and it may take time to load) that would have gone just below Oregon Hill and the Virginia War Memorial. I found it in the local history section of ‘the Book Lady’s’ booth in the Super Flea on Midlothian.

While I worry about losing more private/public green space, I like the idea as an urban, intermodal, FUNCTIONING museum that would tie in canal, bicycle, train, auto, streetcar, and pedestrian uses. Imagine how cool it would be as a stop on the East Coast Greenway, right above Tredegar Iron Works/ Civil War Center. I understand that some talk about this possibility for the Byrd Pump House in the future.

Anyway, think about it when you visit the site during the Richmond Folk Festival.

Hollywood Cemetery walking tour on Sunday

Learn about the history, artwork and symbolism of Hollywood Cemetery, as well as the famous personalities buried there, including two U.S. Presidents, writer Ellen Glasgow, Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Civil War Generals George Pickett and J.E.B. Stuart, and thousands of Confederate and Union soldiers in a special 2-hour walking tour on Sunday, July 13, from 2-4PM. Meet your guide at the cemetery entrance at Cherry & Albemarle Sts. [via]

See It While You Can- City Auditorium

One of the few good things about the VCU rec center project is that VCU will finally properly renovate the historic City Auditorium building. Right now you can really see and appreciate this magnificent architecture of the original structure, though sans its supporting stables. It was the ‘white elephant’ arts center project of its day, and went through a couple of uses, including a farmer’s market as well as concert hall. It hosted a number of famous speakers, including Presidents.

See it while you can, because it is supposed to be enveloped by the construction of the massive, 100,000 sq. ft. rec center.