“They want to take it all away.” - Parker-Gray resident, when asked about the plans to tear down the American Legion Hall.
"The Historic Alexandria Foundation believes that buildings provide an essential link to the past, reminding us of who we are and where we came from." - Historic Alexandria Foundation
In the 1960s, during the time of Federal Urban Renewal Programs, residents and preservationists in Alexandria, Virginia organized, fought back against plans for wholesale destruction of older buildings and homes, and ultimately changed the way people thought about real estate and the community.
The Old Town portion of Alexandria modernized in some places, but a significant portion of the older homes was saved. Because of this, the historic district is now one of the most popular destinations in the region. Developers know they dare not tread there, unless it’s for a rehabilitation of an existing building or home.
These ideals and standards seem to be different, however, on the other side of Route One, in Parker-Gray, the historically African-American neighborhood. A controversy sizzles in the city over whether or not to save an old American Legion Hall, one that raises questions about equal treatment.
The building in question is located in the heart of the historic district near the corner of N. Fayette and Queen Street (224 N. Fayette). Bill Cromley, a local developer, wants to tear it down and build condos. The wooden, one story building housed the only American Legion post in Alexandria for black veterans in the 50s and 60s. The Post was named for William Thomas, the first African-American soldier from Alexandria to die in World War I. Before that it served as a childcare center (Carver School) for African-American families in the 1940s. It’s been vacant for some time, with an ugly chain link fence and overgrown grass not helping its looks.
Boyd Walker, a concerned Alexandrian, leads an effort to save the building. Walker formed and chairs the Greater Alexandria Preservation Alliance to help in the cause of saving the historic building and others.
Other organizations have leant their support. Preservation Virginia recently placed the building on its list of the ten most endangered historical structure in the state, noting:
This building is one of the most significant historical structures remaining in Alexandria's formerly segregated Uptown/Parker-Gray Historic District, which was listed on the Virginia Landmark Registry in 2009 and the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. As the former Carver Nursery School, it is one of the very few remaining formerly segregated school buildings in Alexandria.
Michael Lee Pope of the Alexandria Gazette Packet has been covering the story, noting the latest:
…a group of historic preservationists has assembled a legal challenge to the demolition permit, charging that letting the building fade away would be a civil-rights violation. By minimizing the importance of Africa-American history and ignoring the cultural significance of the old nursery, the lawsuit alleges, the city has engaged in racial discrimination. A trial date in November has been set.
It’s difficult to know how everyone in Parker-Gray feels about this issue, but in a piece by WAMU’s Jonathon Wilson, Gwen Day, who attended the day care center in the 1940s, is quoted as saying:
So many times our buildings have been destroyed before we even knew what was on the drawing board, or what was coming up.
Cromley has stated that the building has a seedy past including drug use. Some local residents I talked to challenged those memories. No such problem exists now, and in the longer perspective, one must realize that some of the buildings that were saved in Old Town had their seedy sides, including houses of prostitution.
One business owner near the building said she wants to see something attractive and useful go up, and does not like the prolonged inaction. She agreed adaptive re-use would serve the community.
This preservation/redevelopment game is tricky. It’s easy for outsiders like myself to make comments when I don’t live there. And I have to admit this building is rather non-descript.
Preservationists, however, include “plain buildings” as part of any plan that can maintain a neighborhood’s character. Walker has also pointed out that:
"It may be a simple, modest building but there’s not another one like it."
And it should also be noted that there are a few structures in Old Town that, depending on one’s point of view, are less attractive than this one.
Keep in mind, too, that re-development continues in Parker-Gray, with plenty of options for perspective home buyers.
Vast improvements have been made for African-Americans. Segregation is a thing of the past, but one can’t help but be worried about the more subtle dividing lines that linger. Buildings are being destroyed in the Parker Gray Historic District while on the other side of Patrick and Henry, they are not (other than the public housing on the north side).
Here’s hoping the court’s decision is favorable for those who want to see this building saved and re-used. African-Americans are as much a part of Alexandria’s history and heritage as are others. They deserve to be treated equal in all matters, including historical preservation.
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