April 29, 2009
Contact:
Randy Jones
Department of Historic Resources;
(540)568-8175; Randy.Jones@dhr.virginia.gov
—Markers cover topics in the counties Albemarle, Fairfax, King George, and Pittsylvania, and the cities of Fairfax, Farmville, and Richmond —
Representing the rich spectrum of Virginia history, ten new historical markers approved by the Department of Historic Resources include signs to commemorate a community founded by slaves freed by Thomas Jefferson’s cousin, a marker for the oldest active Jewish cemetery in the South, and one to honor the first Confederate officer killed in the Civil War.
“Free Blacks of Israel Hill,” a marker to be erected in Farmville, recalls the “ninety formerly enslaved persons who received freedom and 350 acres from Judith Randolph under the will of her husband, Richard Randolph, cousin of Thomas Jefferson.” In the marker’s words, “These ‘Isrealites,’ and other free African Americans worked as farmers, craftspeople, and Appomattox River boatmen.” The marker, which was sponsored by the Farmville-Prince Edward Historical Society, notes that “Israel Hill remained a vigorous black community into the twentieth century.”
In Richmond, the “Hebrew Cemetery” marker will highlight a Jewish burial ground established in the early 19th century by the Congregation Beth Shalome, “which was formed by 1789 and merged with the Congregation Beth Ahabah in 1898,” as the marker states. A military section of the cemetery also “contains the graves of thirty Jewish Confederate soldiers.”
“The First Confederate Officer Killed,” a marker planned for Fairfax, honors Captain John Quicy Marr, of the Warrenton Rifles, “who was struck by a stray bullet” and died June 1, 1861 during a skirmish with “a detachment of Co. B, Second Cavalry,” in “the Town of Fairfax Court House,” according to the marker. Marr was “the first Confederate office killed in the Civil War,” as the marker reads, “in the first land conflict of organized military units” during the war. The marker was sponsored by Historic Fairfax City Inc. and the Fairfax County History Commission.
Among the other new markers approved by the Department of Historic Resources last month are signs honoring the achievements of two women in Richmond.
“Grace Evelyn Arents 1849-1926,” to be erected in Richmond’s Oregon Hill neighborhood, recalls Arents’ work “as an urban reformer and philanthropist” who sought “to improve the daily life of individuals regardless of race, gender, or class.” Arents developed a community complex that included a church, school, library, medical clinic, and a house for teachers. She also “established a night school for working children, built public baths and playgrounds, and funded numerous social programs.” The marker states that her “legacy continues in the activities of St. Andrew’s Church, St. Andrew’s School, and the William Byrd Community House in Oregon Hill.” The marker is sponsored by St. Andrew’s School.
Another marker slated for Richmond recalls the life of Mary-Cooke Branch Munford (1865-1938). Munford “served as the first woman on the Richmond School Board, helped organize the Virginia Inter-Racial Committee, advocated equal educational opportunities, and worked to improve rural high schools,” in the words of the marker. It was her efforts that opened the doors of the College of William and Mary to women in 1918. The marker is sponsored by Brownie Troop 411-Mary Munford Elementary School, with funding provided by DHR.
Other recently approved markers include—
“Civil War Action at Mathias Point,” in King George County, which recalls the death of Commander James H. Ward during fighting along the Potomac River, making Ward “the first U.S. Navy officer killed in action in the Civil War.” The marker is sponsored by the King George County Historical Society.
“Historic Green Spring,” in Fairfax County, which highlights “the unique 1942 collaboration” of architect-designer Walter Macomber, who did restoration work for Colonial Williamsburg, and landscape designer Beatrix Farrand, “the sole female member of the American Society of Landscape Architects at its founding in 1899,” at Green Spring, a 1784 brick house. The marker is sponsored by Friends of Green Springs.
“Southern Albemarle Rural Historic District” (Albemarle County), which commemorates “this nationally significant district” that “encompasses 83,627 acres” and “reflects the architectural and cultural influences of former residents Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe.” The marker is sponsored by Jennifer Hallock, a resident in the district.
“Hargrave Military Academy,” Chatham, in Pittsylvania County, which honors this academy founded in 1909 and chartered in 1911 as Chatham Training School, before it permanently added military training “as an integral part of the school’s curriculum” during World War I. The marker is sponsored by the academy.
“Spottswood W. Robinson III,” which recalls the life of this Richmond native who “fought against Jim Crow laws” and “helped to argue the US Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education”; he became “the first African American to serve in a number of judicial capacities,” including Chief Judge of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
All ten markers were approved by DHR’s Board of Historic Resources when it convened for its quarterly meeting on March 19.
The Virginia highway marker program, which began in 1927 with the installation of the first historical markers, is considered the oldest such program in the nation. Currently there are more than 2,100 official state markers, mostly installed and maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
The manufacturing costs of new highway markers are paid for by the sponsors, except for those markers sponsored by the Department of Historic Resources.
More information about the Historical Highway Marker Program is available on the website of the Department of Historic Resources at http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/.
