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Council approves display of "Newtown Before Urban Renewal" mosaics in City Hall lobby for August
Summary
Council approved a one‑month display of a 20‑panel mosaics exhibit documenting life in the Newtown neighborhood prior to urban renewal; the artist and local residents contributed historical research and captions.
Harrisonburg City Council on June 10 approved a request to display a 20‑panel mosaics exhibit titled Newtown Before Urban Renewal in the City Hall lobby for the month of August.
Artist Barbara Campbell presented the panels and described her research process, which drew on oral histories, archival materials, and local residents’ recollections to depict social and cultural life in the city’s historic Newtown (Northeast) neighborhood. Campbell said she worked closely with residents and historians to verify captions and imagery; Mayor Reid and several council members praised the project for preserving community memory and elevating little‑known neighborhood history.
Council approved the display by roll call. Staff and the artist said the panels are heavy and that logistics for installation and security will be coordinated; the city will host three panels as part of a separate community connector event in July to broaden public exposure before the August lobby display. Council members encouraged the artist and staff to explore a permanent or more broadly accessible location in the future.
Campbell said a principal goal is to make the community’s history visible in public spaces and to honor the people and institutions — such as the Colonnade, Lucy Sims School, Bethel AME Church and local musical traditions — that gave the neighborhood cultural life before urban renewal and displacement.
Council members thanked the artist and community participants for the work and urged staff to finalize logistics for the August display.
