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News Release: Loudoun County Hosts Discussions of Courthouse History November 21 and 25. Details...
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors directed the county Heritage Commission in September 2017 to review the "full historic significance" of the Loudoun County Courthouse grounds and its statues and to make recommendations on additional memorials “to fully reflect the history of the grounds and Loudoun County.”
The commission appointed a subcommittee, which worked on the project over a 16-month period. The subcommittee consulted with experts and community members who provided insight and technical assistance, including the Black History Committee of the Friends of the Thomas Balch Library, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Douglass Alumni, Carver Alumni, and the Loudoun Freedom Center. They also invited experts to conduct a peer review of the historical narrative.
The commission’s scope of work did not include recommendations about any current memorials or statues. Virginia state law, Va. Code § 15.2-1812. Memorials for war veterans, states that it is “unlawful for the authorities of the locality, or any other person or persons, to disturb or interfere with any monuments or memorials…”
On June 4, 2019, the commission presented its research and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
At this meeting, the Board accepted the Heritage Commission’s recommendation to publish the historical report developed by members of the commission.
The Board forwarded the commission’s other recommendations to a future Finance, Government Operations and Economic Development Committee. Those recommendations are:
The commission seeks public input on this project on an ongoing basis.
Email the Heritage Commission to provide feedback and share historical resources.
If you have questions about the project, email Heidi Siebentritt in the Department of Planning and Zoning or call 703-777-0246.