City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 4, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: GRETCHEN BULOVA, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources for the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund Grant Program.
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ISSUE: The Office of Historic Alexandria is applying for a Virginia 250 Preservation Fund Grant from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources to fund the design and construction specifications based on the Historic Structures Report and Comprehensive Plan recommendations for the Freedom House Museum.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve submission of the grant application; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents to apply for, accept, and implement the grant, if awarded.
BACKGROUND: The Virginia Department of Historic Resources received $20,000,000 in the 2024-2026 Virginia Biennial Budget to initiate a grant program to support improvements at significant historic sites and history museums in Virginia in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the 1776 United States Declaration of Independence (also known as the nation’s Semiquincentennial).
The Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street is what remains of a slave pen complex responsible for trafficking thousands of Black men, women, and children from the Chesapeake Region to the labor markets of the Deep South between 1828 - 1861. The museum has recently completed both a Historic Structures Report and a Comprehensive Plan to serve as preservation and interpretation road maps for this nationally important site. The rehabilitation of the exterior of the building is underway and funding is being sought to begin the interior rehabilitation.
DISCUSSION: If awarded this grant, funds will support the design, engineering, and construction specifications to make the interior building ADA accessible and improve visitor flow through the interior museum exhibition spaces. A major component of the design is extending elevator access to the basement of this National Historic Landmark. Slave dealers operating the Alexandria Slave Pen warehoused enslaved men in the basement and carried out the business of the trade in the floors above and in the surrounding yards. The basement is currently only viewable by walking down a narrow flight of stairs. Ensuring that all visitors have access to this authentic and significant space was the foremost recommendation of the recently completed Freedom House Museum Comprehensive Plan. Once the design and specifications are completed, the next step will be to fundraise for the construction and the exhibition development.
FISCAL IMPACT: This grant, if fully awarded, will provide up to $1.8 million to fund the design, engineering, and construction specifications to expand ADA accessibility and the visitor’s experience at the Freedom House Museum. A minimum one-third match is a requirement of this grant program. OHA plans to fund the remaining $600,000 for this project through additional fundraising.
STAFF:
Emily Baker, Deputy City Manager
Liz Williams, Deputy Director, OHA