Local History and Special Collections Branch, Alexandria Library
Old Town Civic Association (MS291)
Myers, Jacob Christian
Tuttle, Thomas
MS291
5.94 Cubic Feet
12 document boxes, 4 folders in assorted oversize box, 4 items in assorted media box
1951-1992
English
.
Historical Note
The Old Town Civic Association (OTCA) is a local civic organization in Alexandria, Virginia which was originally founded in 1951 and later incorporated as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit in 1971. The stated mission of the OTCA is to "preserve the historic and residential character of Old Town [Alexandria]" and the organization aims to serve as a "collective voice" for residents of the Old Town neighborhood. Past presidents of the Old Town Civic Association include Jacob Christian Myers, Thomas Tuttle, William Lynch, Andrea Diamond, Kleber Masterson, Carol Anderson, and Gil Zimmerman.
During the early years of the OTCA (c.1950s-1970s), the major focus of the organization and its members was urban renewal. By the 1980s-1990s, their main concerns had shifted towards efforts to limit commercial development in Old Town Alexandria. Through the history of the Old Town Civic Association (and these records), it is possible to track the local community's interest in historic preservation and urban planning and the politicization of these issues.
Content Description
This collection contains the records of the Old Town Civic Association (OTCA), documenting the administration and activities of the organization. Materials in this collection date from the founding of the organization in 1951 through the early 1990s, though the bulk of materials are from the 1980s and 1990s. Included are administrative records, outreach and publicity materials, correspondence, memos, notes, meeting minutes, newsclippings, legal documents, legislative reports, ephemera, architectural drawings and blueprints, maps and plans, audiovisual media, and memorabilia objects.
Notes on Arrangement
This collection was originally arranged and described in 1993. The finding aid was later updated in 2023 and some minor changes were made to the arrangement. Whenever possible, the original filing scheme of the Old Town Civic Association has been maintained.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
[item description], Old Town Civic Association Records, MS291, Alexandria Library, Local History / Special Collections, Alexandria, Virginia.
Old Town Civic Association (Alexandria, Va.)
Old Town (Alexandria, Va.)
Community development -- Alexandria -- Virginia
Urban development -- Virginia -- Alexandria
Urban renewal.
Series 1: Administrationc.1970-1991Scope and ContentsThis series contains administrative records of the Old Town Civic Association. Materials include meeting notes and minutes, correspondence, membership records, financial records, and records documenting strategic planning for the organization.
Bills paid, 1973-1981MS291-01-00101001Constitution, 1973MS291-01-00201002Donation list, 1980MS291-01-00301003Incorporation papers, 1975MS291-01-00401004Meeting, 11 March 1987 (folder 1 of 3)MS291-01-00501005Meeting, 11 March 1987 (folder 2 of 3)MS291-01-00601006Meeting, 11 March 1987 (folder 3 of 3)MS291-01-00701007Meeting, 4 January 1987MS291-01-00801008Meeting, 12 November 1986MS291-01-00901009Meeting, 8 October 1986 (folder 1 of 2)MS291-01-01001010Meeting, 8 October 1986 (folder 2 of 2)MS291-01-01101011Meeting, 11 June 1986MS291-01-01201012Meeting, 14 May 1986MS291-01-01301013Meeting, 12 March 1986MS291-01-01401014Meeting, 8 January 1986MS291-01-01501015Meeting, 4 December 1985MS291-01-01601016Meeting, 9 October 1985MS291-01-01701017Meeting, 7 March 1984MS291-01-01801018Meeting, 6 January 1982MS291-01-01901019Meeting agendas, 1979-1985MS291-01-02001020Meeting minutes, 7 November 1984MS291-01-02101021Meeting minutes, October 1985 - June 1987MS291-01-02201022Meeting minutes, 1973-1974MS291-01-02301023Meeting minutes, June 1979 - October 1981MS291-01-02401024Membership list, undatedMS291-02-02502025Original membership list, undatedMS291-02-02602026Nominating committee, 1991MS291-02-02702027Objectives for 1970sMS291-02-02802028Possible meeting speakers, 1984-1985MS291-02-02902029President's correspondence, 1981-1982MS291-02-03002030President's correspondence, 1983MS291-02-03102031President's correspondence, 1984MS291-02-03202032President's correspondence, 1985MS291-02-03302033President's correspondence, 1986MS291-02-03402034President's correspondence, 1987MS291-02-03502035President's incoming correspondence, 1973-1975MS291-02-03602036President's outgoing correspondence, 1973-1975MS291-02-03702037Series 2: Politics1991-1992Scope and ContentsThis series contains records documenting the Old Town Civic Association and its relationship with the Alexandria City Council in the early 1990s.
City Council retreat, 1992MS291-02-038020381992 Legislative PackageMS291-02-03902039City Council Candidates' Night, 1991MS291-02-04002040Series 3: Case Files1953-1992c.1981-1992Scope and ContentsThis series contains materials documenting the specific issues (cases) that were of concern to the Old Town Civic Association. During the 1950s the major focuses were parking, traffic, parks and trees, and housing codes. During the 1970s-1990s the major focuses were development in Alexandria, as well as zoning and planning concerns. Materials in this series include memos, correspondence, notes, ephemera, newsclippings, and plans and blueprints. Newsclippings and plans can also be found in Series 6: Plans and Blueprints.
Airport, 1983-1984MS291-02-04102041Alexandria waterfront, 1988-1989MS291-02-04202042Alexandria waterfront, undatedMS291-02-04302043Case ideas, 1984-1985MS291-02-04402044Curb cuts, 1991MS291-02-04502045Commercial zones downtown, 1990MS291-02-04602046Development: 800 North Washington Street, 1990-1991MS291-03-04703047Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, 30 April 1992 - June 1992MS291-03-04803048Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, 4 April 1992MS291-03-04903049Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, April 1992MS291-03-05003050Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, February 1992MS291-03-05103051Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, January 1992MS291-03-05203052Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, October - December 1991MS291-03-05303053Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, June - September 1991MS291-03-05403054Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, 26 June 1991MS291-03-05503055Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, March 1990 - January 1991MS291-03-05603056Development: City Marina / Katie Lang property, 1990-1991MS291-03-05703057Development: City Marina / Katie Lang property, undatedMS291-03-05803058Development: Community "Y" proposal, 1990-1991MS291-04-05904059Development: Community "Y" proposal, February - March 1990MS291-04-06004060Development: Community "Y" proposal, 1989 - January 1990MS291-04-06104061Development: Community "Y" proposal, undatedMS291-04-06204062Development: DIP urban renewal plan, September 1991 - April 1992MS291-04-06304063Development: DIP urban renewal plan, May - September 1981MS291-04-06404064Development: Dominion Lands / 400 South Union Street, 1988-1990MS291-04-06504065Development: Dominion Lands / 400 South Union Street, undatedMS291-04-06604066Development: Ford plant, 1990MS291-04-06704067Development: Ford plant, 1986-1989MS291-04-06804068Development: George Washington Parkway / Potomac Greens, July 1991MS291-04-06904069Development: George Washington Parkway / Potomac Greens, 1989-1990MS291-04-07004070Development: George Washington Parkway / Potomac Greens, November 1989MS291-05-07105071Development: Heliport, 1985-1986MS291-05-07205072Development: Jones Point, 1990-1991MS291-05-07305073Development: Old Town Center, 1990MS291-05-07405074Development: Wilson Bridge, c.1991 (folder 1 of 4)MS291-05-07505075Development: Wilson Bridge, c.1991 (folder 2 of 4)MS291-05-07605076Development: Wilson Bridge, c.1991 (folder 3 of 4)MS291-05-07705077Development: Wilson Bridge, c.1991 (folder 4 of 4)MS291-05-07805078Development: Wilson Bridge, undatedMS291-05-07905079Board of Zoning Appeals, reports and dockets, 1989-1991MS291-06-08006080Planning Commission dockets, 1989-1991MS291-06-08106081Elderly housing project, 1981-1982MS291-06-08206082Historic ordinance, September 1990MS291-06-08306083Historic ordinance, October 1990MS291-06-08406084Housing, 1986MS291-06-08506085Housing, 1982-1983MS291-06-08606086Impact of special activities, 1986MS291-06-08706087Lawsuits: Community "Y", 1990MS291-06-08806088Lawsuits: 909 Cameron Street, 1991MS291-07-08907089Miscellaneous cases, 1990-1991MS291-07-09007090Miscellaneous cases, 1953, 1981-1983MS291-07-09107091Parking, 1989-1991MS291-07-09207092Parking, 1987-1988MS291-07-09307093Cameron Street parking lot, c.1991 (folder 1 of 2)MS291-07-09407094Cameron Street parking lot, c.1991 (folder 2 of 2)MS291-07-09507095Parking proposal, 1986MS291-07-09607096Parking proposal, 1985MS291-07-09707097Old Town Small Area Plan, 1990MS291-07-09807098Old Town Small Area Plan, 1989MS291-08-09908099Old Town Small Area Plan, 1988 (folder 1 of 3)MS291-08-10008100Old Town Small Area Plan, 1988 (folder 2 of 3)MS291-08-10108101Old Town Small Area Plan, 1988 (folder 3 of 3)MS291-08-10208102North Old Town Small Area Plan, public hearing 1991 (folder 1 of 4)MS291-08-10308103North Old Town Small Area Plan, public hearing 1991 (folder 2 of 4)MS291-08-10408104North Old Town Small Area Plan, public hearing 1991 (folder 3 of 4)MS291-08-10508105North Old Town Small Area Plan, public hearing 1991 (folder 4 of 4)MS291-08-10608106North Old Town Small Area Plan, March - September 1991MS291-08-10708107North Old Town Small Area Plan, January - March 1991MS291-08-10808108North Old Town Small Area Plan, December 1990 - January 1991MS291-08-10908109North Old Town Small Area Plan, November 1990MS291-09-11009110North Old Town Small Area Plan, April - October 1990MS291-09-11109111North Old Town Small Area Plan, February 1990MS291-09-11209112North Old Town Small Area Plan, September 1989 - January 1990MS291-09-11309113North Old Town Small Area Plan, August 1989MS291-09-11409114Sutton Place Gourmet, 1990MS291-09-11509115Traffic, 1981MS291-09-11609116Transportation, 1982MS291-09-11709117Transportation: Cameron Valley, 1989-1990MS291-09-11809118Transportation: waterfront taxi / Metromarine, 1991MS291-09-11909119Tree planting, 1956-1988MS291-09-12009120Tree planting, undatedMS291-09-12109121Zoning, 1975-1985MS291-09-12209122Zoning: Non-conforming use, August - October 1990MS291-09-12309123Zoning: Non-conforming use, June 1990MS291-10-12410124Zoning: Non-conforming use, February - April 1989MS291-10-12510125Old Town Zoning, 1990MS291-10-12610126Proposed waterfront zoning ordinance, 1982MS291-10-12710127Zoning: Special use permit, 210 King Street, 1987-1988MS291-10-12810128Zoning: Special use permit, Anchorage House, February - May 1985MS291-10-12910129Zoning: Special use permit, Anchorage House, September 1984 - January 1985MS291-10-13010130Zoning: Special use permit, Anchorage House, undatedMS291-10-13110131Zoning: Special use permit, Cavanaugh's Brew Pub, July 1991MS291-10-13210132Zoning: Special use permit, Cavanaugh's Brew Pub, September 1991MS291-10-13310133Zoning: Special use permit, Fitzgerald's Restaurant, 1992MS291-10-13410134Zoning variances, 1989-1990MS291-10-13510135Zoning variances, 501 Duke Street, 1990MS291-10-13610136Zoning code, 1990MS291-10-13710137Zoning code, September - November 1989MS291-11-13811138Zoning code, April - June 1989MS291-11-13911139Zoning code, 1988MS291-11-14011140Series 4: Publicity1951-1991Scope and ContentsThis series contains records documenting the outreach and public relations efforts of the Old Town Civic Association. Materials include reports, newsletters, newsclippings, and marketing materials. This series includes oversized materials.
Annual Party Reports, 1987-1990MS291-11-14111141Annual Party Reports, 1984-1986MS291-11-14211142Annual Party Reports, 1980-1983MS291-11-14311143Old Town Crier newsletter, 1987-1991MS291-11-14411144Old Town Crier newsletter, 1981-1985MS291-11-14511145Old Town Crier newsletter, 1955-1958MS291-11-14611146Membership noticesMS291-11-14711147Old Town Crier masthead, c.1950sMS291-OS##-148Miscellaneous publicity materialsMS291-OS##-149Newsclippings, 1951-1991MS291-OS##-150Series 5: Related Organizations1975-1991Scope and ContentsThis series contains records documenting the Old Town Civic Association's partnerships and interactions with other local Alexandria organizations and city government agencies. Materials include correspondence, memos, notes, and ephemera.
Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations, c.1985MS291-11-15111151Board of Architectural Review (BAR), 1987-1991MS291-11-15211152Citizens for the Abatement of Airport Noise, 1990-1991MS291-11-15311153City of Alexandria annual reports 1980, 1985, 1986, 1991MS291-12-15412154City of Alexandria, roster of boards, commissions, and committees, 1983MS291-12-15512155Historic Alexandria Foundation, c.1990MS291-12-15612156Inter-Service Club Council, 1985MS291-12-15712157Waterfront Commission, 1975MS291-12-15812158Series 6: Plans and Blueprintsc.1969-1990Scope and ContentsThis series contains oversized plans, architectural drawings, maps, and blueprints from various projects.
Miscellaneous plans, maps, and blueprints, 1969-1990MS291-OS##-159Series 7: Audiovisual Mediac.1990-1993Scope and ContentsThis series contains audiovisual media records documenting the activities of the Old Town Civic Association. Included in this series are two video recordings on VHS tapes and one audio recording on microcassette.
Conditions Governing AccessAccess to materials in this series are restricted due to format and preservation concerns. Please contact Local History and Special Collections staff for more information.
Audio recording of city council candidates' commentsMS291-AM01-1601 Cassettes1 micro cassette tapeApril 199101160Scope and ContentsAudio recording of the comments made by candidates for Alexandria City Council at an event at Lyles Crouch School in April 1991. Recordings were made by Jane Knarr on her personal recording device
Video recording of city council public hearing on Community "Y"MS291-AM01-1611 Cassettes1 VHS tape24 March 199001161Scope and ContentsVideo recording of a public hearing held by the Alexandria City Council about the Community "Y" project on 24 March 1990. Handwritten label on the VHS tape identifies the content of the recording. A handwritten note attached to the VHS case reads, "Polaroid tape, CC Pub Hear on Carr Project April 18, 1990, Bob has it"
Video recording of Old Town Civic Association meetingMS291-AM01-1621 Cassettes1 VHS tapec. 199301162Scope and ContentsVideo recording of a 1993 meeting of the Old Town Civic Association. Handwritten label on the VHS tape identifies the content of the recording and also says, "Keith - copy, Past presidents"
Series 8: MemorabiliaScope and ContentsThis series contains memorabilia objects related to the activities of the Old Town Civic Association.
Support the Small Area Plans buttonsMS291-AM01-16301163Scope and ContentsTwo pinback buttons which both read, "SUPPORT THE SMALL AREA PLANS"