Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission to hold “Visioning Charette” meeting to create a Heritage District

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Tuesday, 10 May 2011

Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission to hold “Visioning Charette” meeting to create a Heritage District

To include Richmond Slave Trail, United States National Slavery Museum, Richmond African Burial Ground, Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Site and a state-of-the-art Genealogy Center

WHAT (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission will hold a “Visioning Charrette” to create a Heritage District, United States National Slavery Museum and Genealogy Center on the Richmond Slave Trail.

On Sunday, April 10, 2011, more than 2,500 people joined the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission and the City of Richmond in the Unveiling of 17 Historic Markers along the Richmond Slave Trail.

This was a monumental step and the Commission is now in the process of planning a next phase of establishing a proposed Heritage District that will include the Richmond Slave Trail, a United States National Slavery Museum, Richmond African Burial Ground, Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Site and a state-of-the-art Genealogy Center.

To move this historic project forward, the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission has scheduled a two-day “Visioning Charette.” The attendees of this “Visioning Charette” will spend two days discussing and creating the vision for the development of the Heritage District, a U.S. National Slavery Museum, Genealogy Center and other aspects of the Richmond Slave Trail.

To develop the Heritage District in a spirit of collaboration, partnership and inclusion, a Public Hearing will be scheduled in June to give the public an opportunity to provide input and comment on proposed plans for the project.

WHEN Thursday, May 12, 2011
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Friday, May 13, 2011
8:00 a.m. - Noon

WHERE Dominion Resources, Conference room
120 Tredegar Street
Richmond, Virginia

WHO The Honorable Delores L. McQuinn, Chairman, Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission, Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates 70th District,

CONTACT For more information, please contact The Honorable Delores L. McQuinn, Chairman, Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission, at 804.698.1070, or deldmcquinn@house.virginia.gov

Background _________________________________________________________________________

Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission
The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission is a government entity that was established by Richmond City Council in 1998 by Resolution Number 98-R 102-107, as amended by Resolution Number 2004-R125-131. The Commission includes 17 members that are appointed by Council to serve for three year terms. Membership includes at least one member of Council (who is given first option of serving as Chairman) and three members of the Hope in the Cities of Richmond organization.

Since its creation, the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission has worked to help preserve and present the history of slavery in Richmond. Over the years, Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission projects have included:

• 2011
Unveiling of 17 Richmond Slave Trail Markers located throughout the Shockoe Bottom area of Richmond, marking sites that help tell the historic journey, human impact, and the role Richmond played in the tragic history of slavery.

• 2009
Development of the conceptual Richmond National Slavery Museum
Richmond City Council provides annual staff assistance and financial support for the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission. Council staff support includes providing fiscal management, public information, writing, publication creation, graphic design, special event and project management, promotions and fundraising. Additional staff support is provided by the Richmond City Administration through the Richmond Department of Economic Development, which includes project engineering and management.

• 2009
Development of the Richmond Slave Trail Marker Program, Signage and
Commemorative Site: Lumpkin’s Slave Jail

• 2008
Discovery of Lumpkin’s Slave Jail historic foundation and architectural
artifacts.

• 2008 – 2009
Phase II Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment: which
included engineering and storm water engineering

• 2007
Richmond International Unveiling of Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue,
erected in 2007 at 15th and E. Main Streets. Included design and construction of
the Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statute plaza and erection of the statue.

• 2006
Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment

• 2003
Acquisition of Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue


Lumpkin’s Slave Jail
Lumpkin's Slave Jail was the largest slave holding facility in operation in Richmond, Virginia from 1840 until the end of the U.S. Civil War in 1865. During that time, Richmond was home to the largest domestic slave export business in the United States. Owned by Robert Lumpkin, the jail was a place that tens of thousands of African men, women and children were "stored" before being transported to slave owners living in states where slavery was legal. Following Lumpkin's death shortly after the Civil war, his common law widowed wife Mary Lumpkin, who was African-American, inherited the estate. In 1867, she leased the jail to Reverend Nathaniel Colver, who established a school for freed slaves at the site. Founded by the American Baptist Home Missionary Society and the National Theological Institute, the school grew into what is now Virginia Union University.

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______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
Office of the Chief of Staff
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
skinnesr@ci.richmond.va.us (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
______________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.

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