Community organizer asks commission to support yearlong Fayetteville bicentennial and 'This Place Matters' signage

Maitland Rice, a community member, urged the Historic District Commission to back yearlong bicentennial programming and to coordinate placement of 31 "This Place Matters" markers across Fayetteville and Washington County.

Rice told commissioners that Washington County already has signs ready and said organizers plan to leave them in place even if they are stolen. “We want this to be a year long celebration, not a 1 day celebration, not a weekend celebration,” Rice said, adding that multiple events should let every community “have their own event” under an umbrella structure so no group is overlooked.

The speaker asked the commission to help convene stakeholders and to ensure participation by Black, Indigenous and other communities of color. Rice said he planned to meet separately with the Black Historic Commission and asked commissioners to share potential sign locations by email.

Commission staff acknowledged they are coordinating with the mayor’s office and city staff on bicentennial planning; no formal action was taken at the meeting. Commissioners did vote to add Rice to the meeting agenda so he could address the commission during new business.

Why it matters: The request seeks ongoing city coordination and an inclusive structure for bicentennial public programs and interpretive signage. Any formal city partnership, funding, or permit requirements would need further staff follow-up.

Next steps: Rice said he will share the list of 31 candidate sign locations and the commission indicated willingness to help connect community groups and city staff as planning continues.