Just a reminder, that this Saturday, September 13th at 2:00 P.M., there will
be a ceremony to dedicate recently placed Confederate soldiers’ markers in
the Confederate Section ofthe cemetery. There will be artillery (cannon)
fire at approximately 2:45 P.M.
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.
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.
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]
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.
Check out this link on Scotty Moore, Elvis’ guitar players website. Great shots. Please notice the New Years Day, 1959 picture of Monroe Park in the background as the Pilgrimage of Prayer marched to the Capitol.
Tip of the hat to Todd Woodson at Candyland Music.
Built around 1818, the residence of Quaker abolitionist Samuel Pleasants Parsons at 601 Spring Street is strongly believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. [via]
Blog post on 611 W. Main St. has very cool old photos and music video.
Continue reading
Over the years, Oregon Hill’s boundaries have clearly changed. In fact, some wags say that the actual Oregon Hill neighborhood, as first established, existed mostly further east of it’s current location. Whole streets of row houses (and Pratt’s Castle in Gamble’s Hill) made way for institutional development, like the Virginia War Memorial and Virginia Housing Development Authority. Of course, the neighborhood has been steadily forced to give ground to the expansionist plans of Virginia Commonwealth University. Oregon Hill used to be on Main Street.
As King I declare Oregon Hill’s current boundaries as the following: to the east, Belvidere Street, to the west, Hollywood Cemetery and S. Harrison Street, to the north, W. Cary Street, to the south, the north bank of the Kanawha Canal.
This is necessary for three reasons. One is that VCU, the City, and other entities keep trying to play games with the official borders and that is unacceptable. Secondly, in addition to defining the current area, with this royal declaration, I am unilaterally acting to name Oregon Hill one of the City of Richmond’s Old and Historic Districts.
Some explanation may be in order: Oregon Hill already has Federal and State recognition as a historical district. “Oregon Hill is one of the best examples of an intact working-class Victorian (1837-1901) neighborhood in the United States.” It has many historic structures- from Grace Arents‘ legacy- the William Byrd Community House (the first free library in Richmond), the Arents School (Open High), St. Andrew’s Church, to earlier Quaker and free black buildings- the Jacob House, the John Miller House, and the Parsons House, to name a few. There is no doubt that it is worthy of being included as a City Old and Historical District.
For years, many preservationists have lamented that Oregon Hill had not received this status. If it was just a matter of getting a vote from the neighborhood association, it would have been done years ago. Unfortunately, it had required a petition drive that many absentee landlords and speculators would not want to take part in. With this decree, I bypass the bureaucracy.
While State and Federal status offers some protections, City designation offers more. In the past there has been concern from residents and property owners that going with the designation would surrender too much control to the Commission of Architectural Review (CAR), but since I am King and all final decisions come to my absolute authority anyway, there is now less concern with CAR’s power. I will hear neighbor appeals and rule accordingly.
Which bring me to the third reason for declaring the boundaries. As King, I reserve my right to expand them in the future. Since the City no longer annexes surrounding areas, I might as well annex on behalf of the neighborhood. To be announced…
The Valentine Richmond History Center’s Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour kicks off tomorrow. The tour is every Monday-Saturday from 10-11:30 until October 31st. Meet the guide at the cemetery entrance at Cherry and Albemarle Street. $10 adults; $9 in advance; $5 History Center members and children 6-18 years old; children under 6 are free.