The Orange County African American Historical Society (OCAAHS) in partnership with the Town of Orange and the Orange Downtown Alliance/LOVE Orange (the Main Street Program successfully accomplished a landmark project for a rural Virginia community.
A small vacant dirt lot centered in the historically vibrant Black commercial and residential area of the town during the decades of segregation was repurposed into a beautiful park with interpretive signs.
The dirt lot is owned by the town but unanimously approved for this purpose of this partnership by the Town Council. What an improvement its presence has gifted to the community. It is well landscaped with vegetation, benches, walkways, and three interpretive panels researched, written, and produced by members of the OCAAHS sharing highlights of the historic area. ODA under the leadership of director Charlotte Cole and the auspices of the local and state Main Street program secured the major funding for the design and build out of the park. It is another wonderful example of a Right the Record Project and again I was honored to be a partner as well.
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