Meeting Notes
                       Charlottesville Historic Resources Committee
                     Friday, February 11, 2022; 11:00 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.
                                  Remote meeting via Zoom
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....
 HRC Members present            HRC Members not present        Staff present
 Phil Varner, Chair                                            Jeff Werner
 Sally Duncan, Vice-chair                                      Robert Watkins
 Margaret O’Bryant
 Dede Smith
 Genevieve Keller
 Jalane Schmidt
 Kay Slaughter
 Tom Chapman
 Jessica Livingston
 Richard Wilson

   1. Call to order:

      Meeting guests introduce themselves. Sterling Howell is the Program and Volunteer
      Coordinator with the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society. MaDeja Leverett and
      Jake Calhuon are University of Virginia graduate students conducting research on the
      sale of enslaved people at the Albemarle County Courthouse.

   2. Approval of the agenda:

      Dede Smith moves to approve the agenda. Margaret O’Bryant seconds motion. Motion
      passes unanimously.

   3. Public Comment:

      The HRC receives no public comment.

   4. Engagement of the Descendant Community for Court Square/Slave Auction Block site:

      Calhoun, shares one-page research report via email.

      Graduate researchers have so far conducted research between 1831-1842 so far, mainly in
      chancery records.

      Leverett shares a list of names they’ve identified in their research so far.

      Smith and Jeff Werner express importance of coordinating with other research projects so
      redundant work isn’t done.




HRC February 11, 2022 Meeting Notes
      Jalane Schmidt thanks graduate researchers for their work so far, and for Phil Varner’s
      work on the report to City Council.

      Committee members offer feedback on report to City Council.

      Members discuss the need to credit all who have made contributions in report.

      The report needs to identify the committee’s staff support.

      Committee discusses the best language to include in the report. It is important to be
      precise but also use language that a broad audience can understand since it is a public
      document. HRC discusses using terms like trafficking, antebellum, auctions, and sales.

      Schmidt updates committee on planning a lecture for April with Dr. Anne Bailey.

   5. Downtown Walking Tour Map Work Session:

      Smith offers update on walking tour map. Map subcommittee is still figuring out how to
      write an engaging walking tour in so few words. Subcommittee members reached back
      out to map designer and Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society (ACHS) staff for
      feedback. Subcommittee has moved away from Vinegar Hill inset map to allow for more
      text.

      Committee discusses having a walking tour meeting with ACHS to determine best routes
      and sites for map.

   6. Staff Updates:

      Staff announces that the Board of Architectural Review will review plans for a new
      Albemarle County District Courthouse at the February meeting.

   7. Coordinate Agenda for March HRC Meeting:

      HRC will retain similar agenda for March meeting.

   8. Announcements:

      Tom Chapman and Jeff Werner and others gave a presentation on Pen Park through the
      library.

      Chapman announces that he’s been working with Sally Duncan and Renaissance School
      students to put together an exhibit at ACHS.




HRC February 11, 2022 Meeting Notes