City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 21, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: GRETCHEN BULOVA, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Retroactive Grant Application to the Virginia Museum of History and Culture for the Commonwealth History Fund Grant Program.
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ISSUE: The Office of Historic Alexandria seeks to apply for a Commonwealth History Fund Grant from the Virginia Museum of History & Culture to fund a detailed implementation plan and phased course of action to prepare the Murray-Dick-Fawcett House for public opening.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Retroactively approve submission of the grant application; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required to accept and implement the grant, if awarded.
BACKGROUND: The Commonwealth History Fund was established by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture to support and encourage meaningful history, education and preservation projects throughout Virginia. The Fund provides thousands of dollars in grants annually to organizations across the Commonwealth. In the first five years of the program, VMHC has awarded more than $2 million to nearly five dozen museums and educational organizations.
When the City acquired the Murray-Dick-Fawcett House in 2017, the former owner retained a life tenancy for the property. Now that the life tenancy has ended, the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) can begin transforming the site into a museum and educational center focused on domestic life in Alexandria during the 18th and 19th centuries. Significant foundational work has already been completed, including a documentary study that incorporates previous research and engagement with descendants, a Historic Structures Report, and a Comprehensive Plan.
The next step is to develop a detailed implementation plan and phased course of action to prepare the property for public opening.
DISCUSSION: If awarded this grant, the funds will support a consultant to develop a detailed implementation plan and phased course of action to prepare the Murray-Dick-Fawcett House for public opening. The estimated cost of this project is $100,000.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no match required by the City for this grant.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
STAFF:
Emily Baker, Deputy City Manager
Liz Williams, Deputy Director, OHA