Lincoln Preservation Foundation Serving the Goose Creek Historic District and Surrounding Areas
Grace Heritage Site Restoration: The Saving Grace Project
The Lincoln Preservation Foundation began a partnership with the Friends of Grace Multicultural Center to restore the historic African American Grace Methodist Episcopal Church on Brooks Lane in Lincoln, Virginia.
The church had formally organized in 1872 with services held in the the Lincoln Colored School, sometimes called the Lincoln School (B). Congregation members began construction on the church building in 1884 assisted by local Quakers. It was dedicated on July 30, 1885.
Lincoln Preservation Foundation Receives 2023 Commonwealth History Fund Grant
Purcellville, VA – In 2023, the Lincoln Preservation Foundation was one of eleven recipients to receive a grant from the Virginia Museum History & Culture’s (VMHC) Commonwealth History Fund. LPF was awarded $40,000.00 which was used to replace the original 1885 roof of the Grace Heritage Site, originally known as Grace Methodist Episcopal Church.
The VMHC, in partnership with Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources (DHR), awards grants to history organizations and projects throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia through its Commonwealth History Fund. There are several key selection criteria to be considered for the grants, including the significance of the project or resource, its impact on its community and the Commonwealth, the focus on historically underrepresented topics and communities, and the need for funding and urgency of the project.
The Grace Roof Reconstruction Project is a critical step forward in completing the bricks-and-mortar restoration of the historic structure and will allow interior work to begin. The Lincoln Preservation Foundation, working alongside the descendant community, is dedicated to saving this important landmark and cultural resource. The Grace Heritage Site is a Loudoun County treasure that, despite the test of time, still has much to teach us about the African American story.
More information on The Commonwealth History Fund can be found at VirginiaHistory.org/HistoryFund.
Katherine Shorts Gibson in 1929. She was a member of the Grace Church and one of the last officers of the Loudoun County Emancipation Association in Purcellville. Based on oral histories like those told by Mrs. Gibson, the vibrant story of the local African-American community will be saved.
African American War Veterans' Project
We are working on a local African-American war veteran commemoration. We welcome submissions for this effort. Please tell us about your Loudoun County African-American war vet by contacting us here. We would like names, service info, photos, and burial locations for those who have passed. Thanks for your contributions!
Website by Alex Dukes Design
Katherine Shorts Gibson in 1929. She was a member of the Grace Church and one of the last officers of the Loudoun County Emancipation Association in Purcellville. Based on oral histories like those told by Mrs. Gibson, the vibrant story of the local African-American community will be saved.
African American War Veterans' Project
We are working on a local African-American war veteran commemoration. We welcome submissions for this project. Please tell us about your Loudoun County African-American war vet by contacting us here. We would like names, service info, photos, and burial locations for those who have passed. Thanks for your contributions!
