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ABOUT THIS PHOTO

The Albemarle County Courthouse in downtown Charlottesville. Albemarle was carved from Goochland County in 1744. The original county seat was located at Scott’s Landing (now Scottsville) on the James River to the south. After the town of Charlottesville was founded in 1762 — named for King George III’s new bride, Queen Charlotte— a modest wood-framed courthouse was built on this site. It was later replaced in 1803 by a two-story brick structure that still forms the northernmost (or back) portion of the Courthouse. The statue honoring deceased Confederate soldiers was installed in front of the Courthouse in 1909. A decorative fountain for horses is visible on the right. Photo by Rufus Holsinger (1866-1930), November 4, 1912. (courtesy of the Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia).

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VISION

Our vision is to reimagine and reinvent the role of the historical society in the twenty-first century: to be a strong civic organization that embraces, in all that we do, the diversity of our community’s history and experience, and promotes a greater understanding of our past, to enlighten the present and foster an inclusive history for future generations.

MISSION

History is not the past; it is the story we tell about the past. Every person in Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville has a unique and powerful story to tell. Through collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of our community, we are committed to informing, inspiring, and bringing together all people, creating opportunities for new relationships and new understandings.

VALUES

Our work is grounded in a belief in the worth and dignity of every human being. We respect people, communities, and cultures. We value discovery, creativity, integrity, and diversity. We believe in the potential for history to enrich our lives and to create stronger relationships and more vibrant communities. We approach our work with integrity and transparency.