Macdonald Landmarks Project

MACDONALD LANDMARKS PROJECT

Macdonald Avenue during WWII, Private Collection

As part of the streetscape improvement project for West Macdonald Avenue, the Community Redevelopment Agency is sponsoring a project that will: * Create new Sculptural Markers from Garrard to 19th * Provide a Gateway at West Entrance to Macdonald * Incorporate Community History * Mark Significant Places * Enhance Macdonald Streetscape * Provide Interpretation for Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Downtown Richmond

Atchison Village

Winters Building, now home to East Bay Center for the Performing Arts.

A number of historic buildings still stand along Macdonald Avenue that may be the focus for this project; just two examples are Atchison Village, a housing complex built for WWII shipyard workers, and the Winters Building, which had a dance hall, florist shop, and furniture store, and also served as a civil defense station during WWII. Other historic sites are still being identified. But there are also important stories where buildings have been demolished that the Landmarks project may interpret.

The Macdonald Landmarks team is directed by historian and cultural planner Donna Graves; lead designer is Michael Reed of Mayer-Reed Design; additional team members include sculptor James Harrison, writer Chiori Santiago, and photographer Lewis Watts. This creative team worked together on a series of sculptural markers that along Richmond’s Bay Trail that was dedicated in 2004. Developed by the Community Redevelopment Agency for the City and Rosie the Riveter National Park, the Bay Trail markers explored a variety of themes -- from wartime discrimination in housing and hiring, to injustices against Richmond’s Japanese American and Italian American residents during WWII, to what people did for fun when they got off work at the Kaiser shipyards. For more information on the Bay Trail markers, visit www.rosietheriveter.org/baytrailmarkers.htm

Richmond Bay Trail Markers

After an initial phase of research and community dialogue, the Macdonald Landmarks team will begin preparing designs with a projected installation date tied to the Macdonald Streetscape project in 2007.

MEMORIES OF MACDONALD: COMMUNITY HISTORY EVENTS

Waiting for the Train at the Southern Ruben Savin in front of his pharmacy on Pacific Station, 17th & Macdonald. Macdonald Avenue. Photos Courtesy Richmond Museum of History

Memories of Macdonald is an invitation to the people of Richmond to share their recollections and reflections of Macdonald Avenue, the city’s main downtown thoroughfare. Memories of Macdonald will preserve first-hand accounts of the Avenue’s many evolutions, and will contribute to the development of a series of permanent interpretive markers along Macdonald Avenue being commissioned by the Richmond Community Redevelopment Agency. As the heart of Richmond’s downtown, Macdonald Avenue is one of the best places to create dialogue with Richmond’s diverse residents, and we propose to do so in a number of ways. Memories of Macdonald is a 6-month project designed to explore and share memories, concerns and hopes for Macdonald Avenue. Memories of Macdonald is being developed by several community

partners including the Community Redevelopment Agency, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, Richmond Main Street Initiative, the Richmond Museum of History and Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park. Memories of Macdonald, planned for Summer-Fall 2006, invites you to a series of public events: Memories of Macdonald Story and Photo-Gathering Event Sat August 5th 2-4 PM Richmond Museum of History This event received generous support from Lennar/Emerald Communities. Walking tours of Richmond’s Main Street September 2006 For more information, please call Betty Soskin, Comunity Outreach for Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park at (510) 232-1547. Talking About Macdonald Thursday October 26th 6:30-8 PM East Bay Center for the Performing Arts Dance Swap Party Sat November 11th 3-5 PM East Bay Center for the Performing Arts Stay tuned to this site for additional information on these events.