Meeting Notes
                        Charlottesville Historic Resources Committee
                        Friday, May 13, 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             Kay Slaughter                  Jeff Werner
 Sally Duncan, Vice-chair       Genevieve Keller               Robert Watkins
 Margaret O’Bryant
 Dede Smith
 Tom Chapman
 Richard Wilson
 Jalane Schmidt
 Jessica Livingston
 John Mason

   1. Call to order:
      Chair Phil Varner calls meeting to order. Robert Watkins calls attendance.

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

   3. Approval of Meeting Notes:
      Varner requests that the “members present” list be edited in the April Historic Resources
      Committee meeting notes.

      Smith moves to approve April meeting notes as amended. John Mason seconds motion.
      Motion passes unanimously.

   4. Public Comment*
      The HRC receives no public comment.

   5. Engagement of the Descendant Community for Court Square/Slave Auction Block site:
      Jalane Schmidt updates committee on lecture held by Dr. Anne Bailey in May at public
      library. Shares that event was a success with good attendance in-person and virtually.
      Talk is recorded and available online
      (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw2WQlTSr4c)

      Schmidt shares how research being conducted on sales of enslaved people at Albemarle
      County Court Square ties into broader scholarship to map domestic slave trade. Shares
      Slave Voyages website (https://www.slavevoyages.org/)

      Two additional researchers will join Jake Calhoun and MaDeja Leverett this summer on
      court square research.




HRC May 13, 2022 Meeting Agenda
   6. Downtown Walking Tour Map Work Session:
      Dede Smith offers update on walking tour map progress. Subcommittee was unable to
      make much progress over last month but encourages other committee members to
      contribute to writing.

      Smith asks if subcommittee is able to meet outside monthly HRC meeting times. Watkins
      shares that subcommittee may be able to meet through public Zoom meeting. Will ask
      City’s communications staff and report back before June HRC meeting.

   7. Pen Park Cemetery Signage:
      City staff report that city management has expressed desire to recognize site of enslaved
      burials at Pen Park cemetery. Sign will not interpret history but will acknowledge what
      the site is while more research and engagement is conducted.

      Committee members appreciate simplicity and straightforwardness of suggested sign.
      Members suggest adding “men women and children” and identifying Pen Park as a
      “plantation” in sign text.

      Members have discussion over usefulness of terms like “plantation” but agree that the
      suggested text for the sign will be effective for simple site identification.

   8. Staff Updates:
      Staff updates committee on completion of Phase I architectural survey of Downtown
      Mall.

   9. Coordinate Agenda for June HRC Meeting:
      Committee plans to retain similar agenda for June HRC meeting.

   10. Announcements:
       HRC members discuss premiere of new documentary about Vinegar Hill: Raised/Razed,
       directed by Jordy Yager and Lorenzo Dickerson. Documentary available online:
       (https://vpm.org/raisedrazed)




HRC May 13, 2022 Meeting Agenda
                                         Mission Statement
The mission of the Charlottesville Historic Resources Committee is to advocate for historic
preservation; to promote an appreciation of local historic resources, both tangible and intangible;
and to encourage and coordinate, with appropriate municipal agencies, civic organizations,
institutions and individual scholars, the documentation and interpretation of local history.

The Charlottesville Historic Resources Committee achieves its mission through:
   • Education
   • Public commemoration (historic plaques, signs, markers, and civic festivals and
      ceremonies)
   • Publications (maps, brochures, tour books, and digital media)
   • Public meetings (planning sessions, workshops, and lectures)
   • And through other means.

* Regarding public comment(s). The HRC values community participation and input and
welcomes public comments at meetings. At the beginning of each meeting, not more than 10
minutes will be allowed for the introduction of any guests and public comments. Speakers may
speak for a maximum of two-minutes and shall begin by identifying their name and address. The
intent is to allow public input; not initiate a dialogue or debate with the committee. Subsequent
to this meeting segment, by majority approval the HRC may amend the agenda to allow further
discussion; however, the motion should also establish a time limit for that discussion.
Additionally, prior to adjourning--and applying the conditions above--the HRC may allow a
period not to exceed five minutes for public comment.




HRC May 13, 2022 Meeting Agenda