A Guide to the Village Preservation and Improvement Society, 1885-2023 Village Preservation and Improvement Society Record Group 4-8

A Guide to the Village Preservation and Improvement Society, 1885-2023

A Collection in
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
Collection Number Record Group 4-8

Mary Riley Styles Public Library

Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 North Virginia Avenue
Falls Church, VA 22046
Phone: (703)-248-5030
Email:
URL: https://www.mrspl.org/

2024 ( CC0 1.0 )

Processed by: Catherine Wilson, Mary Riley Styles Public Library

Repository

Falls Church History Room, Mary Riley Styles Public Library

Collection Number

Record Group 4-8

Title

Village Preservation and Improvement Society, 1885-2023

Language

Materials in this collection are in English .

Abstract

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection...

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Village Preservation and Improvement Society transferred their files to the Mary Riley Styles Public Library by resolution on January 2, 1980.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description...

The Society was founded in 1885 as the Village Improvement Society of Falls Church. It was one of hundreds of such societies around the country modeled after the famous Laurel Hill Association of Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

The Society's early objectives were to improve and ornament the streets of Falls Church by planting and cultivating trees, cleaning and repairing the sidewalks, and carrying out other acts to beautify and benefit the culture and prosperity of the village. The Society planted the street trees we see in historic photos, built the first sidewalks, and organized parades and the town-wide July 4th celebrations with baseball and ice cream socials. It helped to start the first library in Falls Church and initiated the first Arbor Day in Virginia (1892).

The Society was renamed in 1923 as the Falls Church Citizens Association and, after a few decades of intermittent activity, it was reestablished in 1965 as the Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS). In March 1973 it received Certification of Incorporation from the State Corporation Commission.

VPIS is still an active association. Their website is https://www.vpis.org/ .

Scope and Content

Some of the records of the original Society from 1890-1918 are included in addition to the records from 1965 to the present. There are meeting minutes, membership records, with the bulk of the files concerning their projects and their rewards programs.

Arrangement

The early records of the Society were separated into Series 1. File names were retained as they were labeled. Occasionally a file was renamed to more accurately reflect the contents or split into two smaller files. Some loose papers were filed into appropriate folders. In the interests of efficiency files were arranged into series. Files are arranged chronologically or alphabetically, depending on the series.

The newsletter published by VPIS was named the VPIS Newsletter through August 1978; with the November 1978 issue it was changed to The Village Way .

There are also numerous video recordings and publications in the Falls Church Local History Room.

The files were arranged into the following series:

Series 1: Village Improvement Society (1885-1923?)

Series 2: Constitution and Bylaws -- Incorporation

Series 3: Annual Reports

Series 4: Presidents and Boards of Directors

Series 5: Membership

Series 6: Executive Meetings

Series 7: Membership Meetings

Series 8: Financial Reports

Series 9: Committees

Series 10: Correspondence

Series 11: Programs

Series 12: Projects

Series 13: Rewards, Prizes

Series 14: Subject files

Series 15: VPIS Newsletter

Series 16: Village Way

Series 17: Publications

Series 18: Newspaper Clippings

Series 19: Miscellaneous File

Series 1: Village Improvement Society
- File 1
  1890-1900
- File 2
  1911-1912
- File 3
  Amusements, 1899-1900, 1901, 1902
- File 4
  Amusements, 1910
- File 5
  Bylaws and Constitution, 1897, 1907
- File 6
  Dinners and Dining, First Banquet, March 1, 1901
  
  [has cards – need envelope]
- File 7
  Financial Transactions, 1896-1899
- File 8
  Financial Transactions, 1901-1903
- File 9
  Fourth of July Celebrations, [no date]
- File 10
  Fourth of July Celebrations, 1892
- File 11
  Fourth of July Celebrations, 1895-1897
- File 12
  Fourth of July Celebrations, 1897
- File 13
  Fourth of July Celebrations, 1899
- File 14
  Fourth of July Celebrations, 1900
- File 15
  Fourth of July Celebrations– expenses and contributions, no program, 1901
- File 16
  Fourth of July Celebrations– expenses and contributions, no program, 1902
- File 17
  Fourth of July Celebrations– expenses and contributions, no program, 1903
- File 18
  Fourth of July Celebrations– programs, has a sheet with no date, 1911
- File 19
  Fourth of July Celebrations [photograph], 1918
- File 20
  Meetings, 1911-1912
- File 21
  Projects – East End Well, 1901
- File 22
  Projects – Piano, 1899-1900
- File 23
  Projects – Sidewalks, 1897-1907
- File 24
  Projects – Street Lighting, 1890-1903
- File 25
  Projects – Street Signs, 1901-1902
- File 26
  Speeches and Addresses, [1910]

Box 1

Series 2: Constitution and Bylaws
- File 1
  Constitution and Bylaws, 1965-1973
- File 2
  Incorporation, 1973
- File 3
  Resolution Transferring Records, January 2, 1980

Box 1

Series 3: Annual Reports
- File 1
  Annual Reports, 1966, 1969
- File 2
  Annual Reports, 1993-1999

Box 1

Series 4: Presidents and Boards of Directors
- File 1
  Boards of Directors, 1966-2006
- File 2
  Presidents - Mel H. Bolster, 1965
- File 3
  Presidents - Elwood H. Street, 1966-1968
- File 4
  Presidents - Robert L. Hubbell, 1972
- File 5
  Presidents - Louis T. Olom, 1974-1976
- File 6
  Presidents - Edward B. Strait, 1979

Box 1

Series 5: Membership
- File 1
  Membership Campaigns, 1965-1994
- File 2
  Membership Lists, 1965-1968
- File 3
  Membership Lists, 1969-1971
- File 4
  Membership Lists, 1973-1976
- File 5
  Membership Lists, 1977-1978

Box 2

Series 5: Membership, (continued)
- File 6
  Membership Lists, 1979-1980
- File 7
  Membership Lists, 1981-1984
- File 8
  Membership Lists, 1989, 1998-1999
- File 9
  Membership Reports, 1980-1981
Series 6: Executive Meetings
- File 1
  Executive Meetings (Provisional Committee), March-August 1965
- File 2
  Executive Meetings, 1965-1966
- File 3
  Executive Meetings, 1966-1967
- File 4
  Executive Meetings, 1967-1968
- File 5
  Executive Meetings, 1968-1969
- File 6
  Executive Meetings, 1969-1970
- File 7
  Executive Meetings, 1970-1971
- File 8
  Executive Meetings, 1971-1972
- File 9
  Executive Meetings, 1972-1973
- File 10
  Executive Meetings, 1973-1974
- File 11
  Executive Meetings, 1974-1975
- File 12
  Executive Meetings, 1975-1976
- File 13
  Executive Meetings, 1976-1977
- File 14
  Executive Meetings, 1977-1978
- File 15
  Executive Meetings, 1978-1979
- File 16
  Executive Meetings, 1979-1980
- File 17
  Executive Meetings, 1980-1981
- File 18
  Executive Meetings, 1981-1982
- File 19
  Executive Meetings, 1982-1983
- File 20
  Executive Meetings, 1983-1984
- File 21
  Executive Meetings, 1984-1985
- File 22
  Executive Meetings, 1985-1986

Box 3

Series 6: Executive Meetings (continued)
- File 23
  Executive Meetings, 1986-1987
- File 24
  Executive Meetings, 1987-1988
- File 25
  Executive Meetings, 1988-1989
- File 26
  Executive Meetings, 1989-1990
- File 27
  Executive Meetings, 1993-1994
- File 28
  Executive Meetings, 1994-1995
- File 29
  Executive Meetings, 1997, 1998
- File 30
  Executive Meetings, 1999
- File 31
  Executive Meetings, April 13, 2000
- File
Series 7: Membership Meetings
- File 1
  Spring 1966-1970
- File 2
  Spring 1971-1973
- File 3
  Spring 1974-1976
- File 4
  Spring 1977-1980
- File 5
  Spring 1981-1984
- File 6
  Spring 1985-1988
- File 7
  Fall 1966 - Fall 1979
- File 8
  Fall 1980 - Fall 1988
Series 8: Financial Reports
- File 1
  Financial Reports, 1970-1979
- File 2
  Financial Reports, 1980-1984
- File 3
  Funds, 1975
- File 4
  Taxation Exemption Form, 1974
- File 5
  Treasurer's Reports, 1982-1983
- File 6
  Treasurer's Reports, 1987-1988
Series 9: Committees
- File 1
  Committees, 1966-1985
- File 2
  Broad Street Widening, 1981-1985
- File 3
  Cable Access, 1984
- File 4
  City Hall Information Committee, 1982-1983

Box 4

Series 9: Committees (continued)
- File 5
  Historical, 1966-1981
- File 6
  Historical Committee, Report on Quadrant, 1968-1969
- File 7
  Nominating, March 25, 1982
- File 8
  Study, 1966, 1970
- File 9
  Tree, 1973-1980
Series 10: Correspondence
- File 1
  Correspondence, 1965-1979
- File 2
  Correspondence, 1983
Series 11: Programs
- File 1
  Fourth of July Celebrations, 1982-1999
- File 2
  Programs, 1994-1995
- File 3
  Programs - Home Concert Series, 1996-1997
- File 4
  Tours, 1975-1963
Series 12: Projects
- File 1
  Annexation, 1966-1969
- File 2
  Arbor Day, 1974-1993
- File 3
  Attic Treasures Sale -- Financial Statements, 1976-1977
- File 4
  Attic Treasures Sale – Flyers, 1969-1990
- File 5
  Attic Treasures Sale – Lunch, 1976
- File 6
  Attic Treasures Sale – Planning, 1969-1986
- File 7
  Attic Treasures Sale – Publicity, 1969-1985
- File 8
  Big Chimneys Commemorative Site, 1999
- File 9
  Cable Television, 1966
- File 10
  Catalog, 1985, 1995
- File 11
  Centennial – Planning, 1984-1986
- File 12
  Centennial – Publicity, 1985
- File 13
  Charter Revision, 1969-1970
- File 14
  Cheese Sale, 1973-1978
- File 15
  Cherry Hill, 1975-1977
- File 16
  Children History Program, February 1987
- File 17
  Citizens' Committee for a Low Skyline, 1968
- File 18
  City Planning, 1963-1965
- File 19
  City Planning, 1966-1967
- File 20
  City Planning, 1968

Box 5

Series 12: Projects (continued)
- File 21
  City Planning, 1969-1970
- File 22
  City Planning, 1971
- File 23
  City Planning, 1981-1985
- File 24
  City Planning, "The Future of the City: Genesis for Progress in Falls Church, North Washington Street," March 1993
- File 25
  Cookbook, 1976
- File 26
  Cookbook, Hors d'oeuvres at Tranquility , 1985
- File 27
  Cycling Paths, 1974-1975
- File 28
  Cycling Paths – Landscape, 1975
- File 29
  Cycling Paths – Rest Shelter dedicated to Elwood Street, 1979
- File 30
  Elizabeth Graham – Memorial Garden, 1987
- File 31
  Gage House, 1982
- File 32
  George Mason Commemoration, 19914
- File 33
  George Mason Memorial, 1975-1976
- File 34
  Hangman's Tree, 1968, 1987
- File 35
  Historic Houses and Sites – Surveys
- File 36
  Historic Memorabilia – Surveys, 1968-1969
- File 37
  Historical News and Notes
- File 38
  Landscape Master Plan, 1976-1985
- File 39
  Lawton House – Historic Preservation, 1960-1976
- File 40
  Lawton House – Park Street Encroachment (has photos), 1965-1967
- File 41
  Lawton House Estate Moving Sale, 1978
- File 42
  Lifetime Memberships, 1984, 1999
- File 43
  Master Plan, 1975-1980
- File 44
  Master Plan Review, Downtown-Open Space, 1980-1982
- File 45
  Master Plan, 1982-1984
- File 46
  Memorial Day Parade, 1999
- File 47
  One Hundred Trees for One Hundred Years, 1985-1986

Box 6

Series 12: Projects (continued)
- File 48
  Ordinances, Municipal – Mixed-Use Redevelopment (MUR), 1999
- File 59
  Ordinances, Municipal – Sign, 1966-1969
- File 50
  Ordinances, Municipal – Tree Preservation, 1976-1978
- File 51
  Planned Unit Developments, 1970-1973
- File 52
  Planned Unit Development – Hechinger, 1972
- File 53
  Postcards, 1976
- File 54
  Presidents' Garden, 1994, 2000
- File 55
  Rain Garden, [1999]
- File 56
  Schools, February 1987
- File 57
  Taxation Survey, February 9, 1978
- File 58
  Urban Beautification, 1965-1976
- File 59
  Walking Tour Brochure, 1974-1975
- File 60
  Whitehall, 1978-1983
- File 61
  Wine Sale, 1972-1976
Series 13: Rewards and Prizes
- File 1
  Awards for Excellence in Design, 1966
- File 2
  Awards for Excellence in Design, 1967
- File 3
  Awards for Excellence in Design, 1968
- File 4
  Awards for Excellence in Design, 1969
- File 5
  Awards for Excellence in Design, 1970
- File 6
  Awards for Excellence in Design, 1966-1970
- File 7
  Awards for Excellence in Design, 1971
- File 8
  Awards for Excellence in Design, 1979
- File 9
  Awards for Excellence in Design, 1980
- File 10
  Awards for Excellence in Design, 1981
- File 11
  Awards for Excellence in Design, 1982
- File 12
  Awards for Excellence in Design, 1983
- File 13
  Awards for Excellence in Design, 1981-1986
- File 14
  Business Improvement Awards Program, 1978-1979
- File 15
  Certificate of Award, blank form
- File 16
  Hemlock Tree, November 13, 1980
- File 17
  National Capital Area Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., 1968
- File 18
  Noteworthy Tree Awards, 1973-1976
- File 19
  Tree City, U.S.A., 1979-1980

Box 7

Series 14: Subject Files
- File 1
  Achievements, 1966-1970, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1993
- File 2
  Central Business District, 1965-1970
- File 3
  Falls Church Historical Collection, Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 1985-1986
- File 4
  History, 1877-1904
- File 5
  History, 1971-1999
- File 6
  Issues, 1982-1983
- File 7
  Mixed-Use Redevelopment Ordinance, 1998-1999
- File 8
  Northern Virginia Recreation and Cultural Authority, 1970
- File 9
  Public Relations, 1965, 1868
- File 10
  Related Interest Groups - Citizens for Quality Living, 1970-1975
- File 11
  Related Interest Groups – Falls Church Historical Commission (Cherry Hill), 1966-1975
- File 12
  Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Historic Preservation, [n.d.]
- File 13
  Resolution, March 12, 1987
- File 14
  Statements, Summary of, 1965-1968
- File 15
  Statements to City Council, 1965-1979
- File 16
  Statements to City Council, 1980, 1985
- File 17
  Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and the Laurel Hill Association, 1985, 1991
- File 18
  Trees, 1973-1999
- File 19
  Virginia Village Index
- File 20
  Website, February 1999
Series 15: VPIS Newsletter
- File 1
  1967-1970
- File 2
  1971-1972
- File 3
  1973-1975
- File 4
  1976-1978
Series 16: The Village Way
- File 1
  1978-1980

Box 8

Series 16: The Village Way (continued)
- File 2
  1981-1983
- File 3
  1984-1985
- File 4
  1986-1987
- File 5
  1988-1989
- File 6
  1990-1991
- File 7
  1992-1995
- File 8
  1996-1999
- File 9
  2000-2007
- File 10
  2008-2023 (incomplete)
Series 17: Publications
- File 1
  Publications
- File 2
  The Village Catalogue, 1995-1996
Series 18: Newspaper Clippings
- File 1
  Newspaper Clippings, 1963-1977
- File 2
  Newspaper Clippings, 1983
Series 19: Miscellaneous File
- File 1
  Miscellaneous papers