Have you ever looked at a local spot and thought, “This place deserves to be commemorated?” Our city is full of history, much of which is indicated by markers around town.
Historical markers reveal significant places, streets, neighborhoods, buildings, businesses, and cultural events from the past or present. Think: First African Baptist Church, Old City Hall, and the Reconciliation Statue.
But not all significant areas get the attention they deserve. What about a marker for the legendary Bagel the Beagle? Or the Richmond Gun Hole? We want to put these places on the map — literally.
Help us put some unofficial historical locations on the map.
Map via Proxi
Rules + details
Submit your historic place for a chance to be featured nationwide on our historical marker map. Our favorite submissions will then be featured in our newsletter, where we’ll put it to a vote. Who knows? Maybe it will receive an official historical marker.
Submissions are open through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Finalists will be selected by our team and announced in our newsletter. These finalists will then go head-to-head in a vote for our readers’ favorite. The winner will be announced later in December. No promises that it will get an actual historical marker, but it will be one in our hearts.
Want to know more about official historical markers around town? Check out the Historical Marker Database.
Weinstein Author Series: Larry Roeder + Barry Harrelson | 6-7:30 p.m. | Library of Virginia | Free | The authors will discuss their new book, “Dirt Don’t Burn: A Black Community’s Struggle for Educational Equality Under Segregation.”
Drivin N Cryin | 7 p.m. | The Broadberry | $25 | The Atlanta rock band will play a show with special guest Gloom Girl MFG.
Friday, Nov. 15
Merry Midtown | 6-9 p.m. | Libbie Mill – Midtown | Free entry | Get your holiday season started with music, food trucks, seasonal drinks, carriage rides, and vendors in the market square.
Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites | 6:30-7:45 p.m. | Gottwald Playhouse | $49+ | Expect instrumental renditions of your favorite tunes by Prince, Childish Gambino, D’Angelo, and Lauryn Hill.
Saturday, Nov. 16
Yarn Ball | 12-5 p.m. | James River Cellars, Glen Allen | Free entry | Relax with a glass of wine, food from Bikini Panini, and an afternoon of all things yarn.
Re-Think Design: Art of the Card Workshop | 1-3 p.m. | The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design | Free | Studio Two Three will lead this screen printing workshop — make your own personalized card and explore the museum’s exhibition.
Rainbow Roll | 6-9 p.m. | Rollerdome | $10 | Roll the night away at this all-ages event with drag performances and tunes from DJoey — admission includes skate rental and donation to VA Pride.
Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope’s infrared sensitivity, scientists like Dr. Sheth can study galaxies in greater detail. | Photos provided by NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI + Science Museum of Virginia
While outer space may feel out of reach for us here on Earth, world-renowned astrophysicist Dr. Kartik Sheth is bringing it a little closer during the next Sunrise Science talk at the Science Museum of Virginia.
Starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, hear from Dr. Sheth about:
His research on how galaxies form, including our Milky Way
His unique career journey through government roles, nonprofits, the White House, and his current position as Associate Chief Scientist at NASA
Whether you love science or just want to learn more about the cosmos, this talk is a great opportunity to hear from a leading expert at NASA. We have a feeling it will be out of this world.
Pro tip: Space is limited at this free event, so reserve your spot early.
At its Tuesday, Nov. 12 meeting, City Council adopted an ordinance to redesignate the site of the Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground as a cemetery. The move should aid local preservation efforts. A process is ongoing to design a permanent memorial for the site.
Pets
The city will open an animal adoption center in the Fan. City Council approved an ordinance at its Tuesday meeting to spend $2 million on a Cary Street building that will be turned into a more visitor-friendly Richmond Animal Care & Control center. (The Richmonder)
Regional
Henrico is almost done with construction of the Cobbs Creek Reservoir, which has been in the works for over two decades. The Cumberland County facility will be able to hold up to 14.8 billion gallons of water and is the largest municipal reservoir in Virginia.
Development
A group of vacant buildings on Broad Street just west of Arthur Ashe Boulevard could be demolished by the end of the year. Developer Steve Leibovic has filed permits to raze the buildings, which have been dormant for around five years. Plans to redevelop the site are still in limbo. (Richmond BizSense)
Richmonder
Local rapper Mad Skillz could bring home some Grammy gold in 2025. His album “The Seven Number Ones” was nominated for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. Winners will be announced in February. (ABC 8News)
Arts
RVA Galleries is planning a pop-up art gallery for the holiday season at Willow Lawn. Find it on the weekends next to J.Crew Factory starting tomorrow, Nov. 15. Featured artists will include photographer Bill Draper, ceramicist Tom Hayes, and painter Linda Shaw.
Eat
The Mantu outpost in Short Pump that was once an express location is now a full service restaurant. The modern Afghan menu also includes pizzas — the restaurant is in the former Two Guys Pizza next to the Regal movie theater.
Outdoors
The Virginia Capital Trail announced what local organizations will receive grants through its Outdoor Equity Fund. Recipients include Autism Society of Central Virginia, Black Girls RUN! Richmond, Richmond Cycling Corps, and Sportable. See the full list.
I won’t lie, I shuddered when I saw that the sun will set before 5 p.m. today. At least a slew of holiday markets are on the horizon — we’ll have our official roundup soon.
