Fairfax County will hold a community meeting later this month to gather feedback on its efforts to document one of the region’s oldest African American communities.
The first meeting — scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the Gum Springs Community Center (8100 Fordson Road) — will give community members a chance to learn more about the timeline and goals of the Gum Springs Heritage Resources Study.
The kick-off meeting is being organized by Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck’s office and county staff in conjunction with the New Gum Springs Civic Association and the Gum Springs Historical Society and Museum.
“Gum Springs, the oldest free sustained African American community in Fairfax County, traces its roots back nearly 200 years,” the county said in a press release. “The upcoming study seeks to explore, document and preserve the community’s rich heritage from its inception through the late twentieth century.”
Despite its rich history, which dates back to its founding in 1833 by freed slave West Ford, Gum Springs has faced threats from urban sprawl, road construction, gentrification and a booming housing market, prompting action from community leaders.
In recent years, community leaders have advocated for official recognition of the neighborhood’s boundaries, more historical markers and educational initiatives.
The Board of Supervisors approved funding in 2020 for a study to preserve the area’s history by identifying key historical themes and buildings, collecting oral histories, and recommending preservation strategies.
A selection committee was formed in January 2023 to review proposals from various consulting firms. Ultimately, the Norfolk-based consulting firm Commonwealth Preservation Group was chosen to lead the study this past January.
According to the county, the project team will conduct an architectural survey of Gum Springs this summer and fall, a process that will involve background research, writing descriptions and photographing buildings. The Gum Springs Civic Association will also select 10 to 12 residents to share their oral histories.
A follow-up community meeting is planned for this fall, allowing more residents to share their stories and materials. A final report is expected to be published by fall 2025.
