The Beverly Allen Historic Preservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in West Point, Virginia dedicated to preserving and highlighting stories and spaces related to people of color in this region.
Our focus is on expanding the ways existing organizations work together locally, regionally and nationally to honor, preserve and celebrate inclusive and transformative storytelling in our historic town and region:
- Research
- Education
- Collaboration
- Outreach
- Vision
- Engagement
- Remembrance
One of our primary goals is community collaboration designed to preserve/respect the past, celebrate the present, and honor the future by supporting the next generation of local historians and community change makers. Until we work together for collective impact, historical trauma and historical amnesia will continue to be at odds. Truth. Authenticity. Reconciliation. Join us as we work together to make the vision a reality.
We have endorsed and adopted the following values as our framework for collective impact in our local community:
THE VALUE OF HISTORY STATEMENT
TO OURSELVES
IDENTITY » History nurtures personal and collective identity in a diverse world. People discover their place in time through stories of their families, communities, and nation. These stories of freedom and equality, injustice and struggle, loss and achievement, and courage and triumph shape people’s personal values that guide them through life.
CRITICAL THINKING » History teaches vital skills. Historical thinking requires critical approaches to evidence and argument and develops contextual understanding and historical perspective, encouraging meaningful engagement with concepts like continuity, change, and causation, and the ability to interpret and communicate complex ideas clearly and coherently.
TO OUR COMMUNITIES
VIBRANT COMMUNITIES » History is the foundation for strong, vibrant communities. A place becomes a community when wrapped in human memory as told through family stories, tribal traditions, and civic commemorations as well as discussions about our roles and responsibilities to each other and the places we call home.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT » History is a catalyst for economic growth. Communities with cultural heritage institutions and a strong sense of historical character attract talent, increase tourism revenues, enhance business development, and fortify local economies.
TO OUR FUTURE
ENGAGED CITIZENS » History helps people envision a better future. Democracy thrives when individuals convene to express opinions, listen to others, and take action. Weaving history into discussions about contemporary issues clarifies differing perspectives and misperceptions, reveals complexities, grounds competing views in evidence, and introduces new ideas; all can lead to greater understanding and viable community solutions.
LEADERSHIP » History inspires leaders. History provides today’s leaders with role models as they navigate through the complexities of modern life. The stories of persons from the past can offer direction to contemporary leaders and help clarify their values and ideals.
LEGACY » History, saved and preserved, is the foundation for future generations. Historical knowledge is crucial to protecting democracy. By preserving authentic and meaningful documents, artifacts, images, stories, and places, future generations have a foundation on which to build and know what it means to be a member of the civic community.
Beverly Allen Historic Preservation Foundation 