HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-20-2022; 4-a - Resolution Authorizing the Installation of a Historical Marker on the Southeast Corner of the Historic Courthouse Lawn 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 20, 2022
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing the Installation of a Historical Marker on the Southeast
Corner of the Historic Courthouse Lawn
DEPARTMENT: Asset Management Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. EJI Basic Historical Marker Design & Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager,
Logistical FAQ 919-245-2308
2. Map Steven Arndt, Asset Management
3. Resolution Services Director, 919-245-2658
Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources
Coordinator, 919-245-2517
Angel Barnes, Capital Projects
Manager, 919-245-2628
PURPOSE: To consider the approval of a resolution authorizing the installation of a historical
marker on the southeast corner of the lawn at the Historic Courthouse.
BACKGROUND: The Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition has been working to
place at least two historical markers in the County — one on the grounds of the Orange County
Old Courthouse at Hillsborough, and one within the Town of Carrboro. The purpose of the
markers is to document the history of racial terror lynchings that claimed the lives of more than
120 Black people in North Carolina, and specifically the four that are known to have taken place
in Orange County.
The Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition has partnered with the Equal Justice
Initiative (EJI), a non-profit organization that provides historical markers for community
remembrance coalitions at no cost, other than for installation of the marker. The wording and
design of the marker is provided by the EJI. More information regarding the EJI Historical Marker
program can be found in Attachment 1.
The proposed location for the marker is the southwestern portion of the Historic Courthouse lawn
as shown on the map in Attachment 2. The dimensions and appearance of historical marker were
reviewed and approved by the Town of Hillsborough. The costs to install the marker are minimal
and estimated to be under $500.
Attachment 3 is a resolution authorizing the installation of the marker on the grounds of the Historic
Courthouse. Upon approval by the Board, the resolution along with a letter will be sent to EJI, and
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EJI can begin the process of creating the marker, which may take several months before it is
ready for installation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: EJI will provide the marker at no cost to the County. The costs to install
the marker are minimal and estimated to be under $500.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is associated with
this item:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race
or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin
or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic
status.
According to the Equal Justice Initiative, installation of historical markers has helped communities
across the nation reckon with tragic histories of racial violence and unresolved trauma.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There are no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impacts associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board:
1) Approve the resolution authorizing the installation of a historical marker on the southeast
corner of the lawn at the Historic Courthouse; and
2) Authorize the Chair to sign the resolution.
A, 1 1
HOW BIG ARE EJI HISTORICAL MARKERS?
EJI sponsored marker panels are rectangular in shape, about 42 inches
wide by 38.5 inches high. The polls (or mounting posts) are non-break-
away 7-foot tall octagonal aluminum posts. The marker, including its 7 ft
post, weighs about 100 lbs.
WHAT ARE THE HISTORICAL MARKER DESIGN FEATURES?
EJI markers generally use a blue plate color; gold lettering; and the
Community Remembrance Project emblem at the top of the marker,
customized for each community's state and county.
WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE TEXT ON THE HISTORICAL MARKER?
EJI markers consist of two sides of text that have different but
connected narrative emphases:
Side One details the narrative of the victim(s) being memorialized.
Side Two provides contextual information about the trauma and legacy
of racial terror lynching in America.
The narrative content of each marker is based on documented research
that EJI and Community Remembrance coalition partners have
contributed. Each marker attempts to convey the individual stories of
the victim(s), while providing broader historical context that helps
audiences understand the scope and legacy of harm created by racial
terror lynchings targeting African Americans. This historical context and
specificity around language is further explained in EJI's Lynching in
America report, available at https:Hlynchinginamerica.eji.org/report/
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE MARKER TO BE FABRICATED
AND SHIPPED? HOW MUCH TIME IS NEEDED FOR INSTALLATION?
Marker fabrication and shipment generally takes between eight to ten
weeks total. EJI advises installing historical markers at least three days
before a scheduled unveiling event and dedication ceremony, to ensure
that the marker has time to set. Local weather conditions should be
considered and discussed with local installers in advance.
Attachment 2
Historical Marker Proposed Location Proposed location
of historical
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RES-2022-050 Attachment 3
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING HISTORICAL MARKER
WHEREAS, racial terror lynching was known widely to occur across the United States in the
aftermath of the Civil War, and from Reconstruction through the middle of the twentieth
century, a practice predominantly inflicted upon Black or African American men, women and
children by white individuals, vigilante mobs and law enforcement officers -- to instill fear and
to thwart the social, economic and political advancement of Black people; and
WHEREAS, between 1865 and 1950, documented racial terror lynchings claimed the lives of
more than 120 Black people in North Carolina, and four are known to have taken place in Orange
County; and
WHEREAS,the Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition has been working to place
at least two historical markers in the County, one on the grounds of the Orange County Old
Courthouse at Hillsborough, and one within the Town of Carrboro; and
WHEREAS, the dimensions and appearance of a historical marker comply with the provisions
of the Historic District Commission of the Town of Hillsborough, and the location on County
property has been approved by Orange County staff, and will be accommodated into the site
renovation plans; and
WHEREAS, the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) provides such markers for community
remembrance coalitions, and approves the wording on the historical markers; and
WHEREAS, the delivery of the sign may take several months once EJI receives site
authorization documentation; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Manager has approved that the labor to install the marker will
be provided by Orange County staff;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does
hereby approve the placement of a historical marker on the grounds of the Old Courthouse
between East King Street and East Margaret Lane;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Equal Justice Initiative shall provide the historical
marker at no charge to Orange County, shall have the marker delivered to Orange County, and
should the historical marker be vandalized or similarly damaged, the Equal Justice Initiative will
replace the sign, at no charge to Orange County; and
BE IT MOREOVER RESOLVED that Orange County will assume responsibility for installing
the historical marker and for maintaining the site after installation.
This the 201h day of September, 2022.
Renee A. Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners