Living in a city with such a rich cultural heritage is truly a unique privilege. Take a stroll through downtown sometime. Stop for a moment to explore the diverse architecture and numerous historic sites and landmarks that surround you. Soak in the sights and sounds that envelope you. Note the people walking past—some headed to work or on their way home, others off to explore one of the city’s historic sites or patronize one of the many unique shops, eateries, and arts venues that line its streets.

This is the legacy we’ve inherited: a vibrant historic landscape shaped by three centuries of human experience, where past and present remain deeply and indelibly linked. It is this legacy that defines the unique sense of place and quality of life that makes Fredericksburg such a special place to live, work, and play. It is a fundamental part of what draws people here—residents, tourists, and investors alike—and, therefore, key to sustaining our city’s economic and cultural vitality for the present and future.

Since 1955, the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation has been working to protect this important legacy and the many economic and cultural benefits it provides. Whether it’s helping owners repair and maintain their historic homes, lobbying City Council for preservation-friendly policies, or sponsoring a new history publication, our staff and dedicated team of volunteers work hard every day to ensure that future generations enjoy those same benefits.

But we need your support; now more than ever. On Tuesday May 6^th, the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region is hosting the Community Give event—a 24-hour, online fundraising drive for nonprofit organizations in the Fredericksburg area. Please consider logging on and making a donation. Your contributions will not only help HFFI continue its important mission, but a strong showing on that day may also earn us additional cash prizes to be awarded by the Community Foundation throughout the course of the event.

So, on May 6th, find a computer and give ‘til it hurts! Help us keep Fredericksburg the kind of place we love to call home and visitors love to return to.

For more information on the Community Give, please visit their website.
Click HERE on May 6th to donate.

 

HFFI’s Annual Meeting, held on Sunday, March 23rd, was a wonderful afternoon of awards and presentations. A big thank you to Elizabeth Daly for sharing her presentation on the early female preservationists of Fredericksburg.  
 
It was also HFFI’s great pleasure to help honor Rev. Lawrence Davies, this year’s recipient of the Trail to Freedom Committee’s William H. Carney Award, recognizing members of the community for their selfless contributions to the preservation of Virginia’s African-American history. 
 
HFFI’s 2013 Preservation Awards, which celebrate exceptional contributions made by individuals and groups to historic preservation in the Fredericksburg area, were presented to the following recipients:
 
E. Boyd Graves Preservation Award
William E. Glover and Jeannie P. Dahnk
The sensitive renovation of the home at 1601 Caroline Street
 
Hilldrup Properties, Inc.
The sensitive rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the historic buildings at 521 and 523 Sophia Street
 
John H. Reid
Repairing and preserving the stone wall and historic building at 1210 Princess Anne Street
 
Susan M. Johnston
The historically sensitive rear addition made to the historic home located at 1316 Caroline Street
 
Executive Director’s Special Recognition Award
The City of Fredericksburg
For supporting archaeological research at the Riverfront Park site
 
President’s Exceptional Service Award
Emily Taggart Schricker
For her dedication and extraordinary work in support of HFFI and local preservation
 
The Lillian D. Reed Volunteer Award
Jan Waltonen
For her quality research work and many contributions to the HFFI Marker Committee
 
Pillars of the Community Award
Robert James Grogan (1952–2014)
For his efforts, as editor of Front Porch magazine, to promote awareness, appreciation, and the preservation of our community’s colorful past and diverse historic places
 
Paula S. Felder (1927–2012)
For her lifelong dedication and many important contributions to the study and interpretation of Fredericksburg’s past.
 
 
The Foundation’s Board of Directors thanks the recipients for their commitment and dedication to making this city the truly unique place that it is.
 

 

 

Interested in reading more about Fredericksburg’s history? Be sure to check out the latest issues of Front Porch Magazine and the Fredericksburg Guidebook, which feature articles by two of HFFI’s hard-working volunteers. 
 
In the Spring issue of the Fredericksburg Guidebook, Barbra Anderson, a presenter and tour guide for the Foundation’s annual Vintage Route 1 event, discusses the fascinating history of the Renwick Courthouse. one of Fredericksburg’s most important historic landmarks and longest-standing civic icons.
 
Want to feed your inner fashionista? Pick up a copy of the Front Porch Magazine’s April issue and enjoy Emily Taggart Schricker’s article on the 19th-century dress shops and clothing stores of downtown Fredericksburg. 
 
Also in this month’s Front Porch is an article by Elizabeth Daly from the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center with information on the recently released book, The Circle Unbroken: Civil War Letters of the Knox Family of Fredericksburg. The piece offers a wonderful taste of what awaits in this exciting new book published jointly by the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center and HFFI.