Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood is one of the nation’s most important centers of Black culture. Jackson Ward’s geographic boundaries are generally considered to be Broad Street to the south, Belvidere Street to the west, and the ravine of Bacon’s Quarter Branch to the north and east. The neighborhood’s boundaries have been altered physically and legally over the years, most notably by the construction of Interstate 64/95. This physical border now separates the northern portion of Jackson Ward from its historic borders to the south.
Jackson Ward remained vibrant until interstate highway construction in the 1950s split the neighborhood into southern and northern halves. Most of the neighborhood located south of the interstate highway was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 as the Jackson Ward Historic District and, in 1978, was designated a National Historic Landmark. These historic designations recognized Jackson Ward’s value to Richmond and the nation for its remarkable architecture and as one of the nation’s most important centers of African American culture. The portion of Jackson Ward north of the interstate highway is equally rich in African American history and culture but retains little historic architectural fabric. Homes in North Jackson Ward were typically more humble and less ornate than those in the southern portion. Many of North Jackson Ward’s homes were constructed of wood, with relatively few homes constructed of more durable masonry. The area developed piecemeal but was fully built out by 1905.
Jackson Ward has been the subject of numerous planning efforts, most recently focused on reconnecting north and south. Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority in partnership with the City released a draft Jackson Ward Community Plan in May 2023. The planning effort was funded by a Department of Housing and Urban Development Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant. The plan centers on the redevelopment of the Gilpin Court public housing community but covers the entire Jackson Ward neighborhood. Historic Richmond provided comments focused on incorporating historic preservation of the Jackson Ward built environment as a community priority which touches every aspect of life.
To read the full comment letter, click here.