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Local History and Special Collections Branch, Alexandria Library
717 Queen StreetAlexandria, VA 22314
Business Number: 703-746-1791
lhsc@alexlibraryva.org
URL: http://alexlibraryva.org/lhsc
Written by J. Kaplan, August 1993. Revised and updated by Katherine Crowe, Special Collections Librarian, October 2023.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
[item description], Old Town Civic Association Records, MS291, Alexandria Library, Local History / Special Collections, Alexandria, Virginia.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Community development -- Alexandria -- Virginia
- Old Town (Alexandria, Va.)
- Old Town Civic Association (Alexandria, Va.)
- Urban development -- Virginia -- Alexandria
- Urban renewal.
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Myers, Jacob Christian
- Tuttle, Thomas
Container List
This 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.
- Text box: 01 folder: 001 MS291-01-001
Bills paid, 1973-1981
- Text box: 01 folder: 002 MS291-01-002
Constitution, 1973
- Text box: 01 folder: 003 MS291-01-003
Donation list, 1980
- Text box: 01 folder: 004 MS291-01-004
Incorporation papers, 1975
- Text box: 01 folder: 005 MS291-01-005
Meeting, 11 March 1987 (folder 1 of 3)
- Text box: 01 folder: 006 MS291-01-006
Meeting, 11 March 1987 (folder 2 of 3)
- Text box: 01 folder: 007 MS291-01-007
Meeting, 11 March 1987 (folder 3 of 3)
- Text box: 01 folder: 008 MS291-01-008
Meeting, 4 January 1987
- Text box: 01 folder: 009 MS291-01-009
Meeting, 12 November 1986
- Text box: 01 folder: 010 MS291-01-010
Meeting, 8 October 1986 (folder 1 of 2)
- Text box: 01 folder: 011 MS291-01-011
Meeting, 8 October 1986 (folder 2 of 2)
- Text box: 01 folder: 012 MS291-01-012
Meeting, 11 June 1986
- Text box: 01 folder: 013 MS291-01-013
Meeting, 14 May 1986
- Text box: 01 folder: 014 MS291-01-014
Meeting, 12 March 1986
- Text box: 01 folder: 015 MS291-01-015
Meeting, 8 January 1986
- Text box: 01 folder: 016 MS291-01-016
Meeting, 4 December 1985
- Text box: 01 folder: 017 MS291-01-017
Meeting, 9 October 1985
- Text box: 01 folder: 018 MS291-01-018
Meeting, 7 March 1984
- Text box: 01 folder: 019 MS291-01-019
Meeting, 6 January 1982
- Text box: 01 folder: 020 MS291-01-020
Meeting agendas, 1979-1985
- Text box: 01 folder: 021 MS291-01-021
Meeting minutes, 7 November 1984
- Text box: 01 folder: 022 MS291-01-022
Meeting minutes, October 1985 - June 1987
- Text box: 01 folder: 023 MS291-01-023
Meeting minutes, 1973-1974
- Text box: 01 folder: 024 MS291-01-024
Meeting minutes, June 1979 - October 1981
- Text box: 02 folder: 025 MS291-02-025
Membership list, undated
- Text box: 02 folder: 026 MS291-02-026
Original membership list, undated
- Text box: 02 folder: 027 MS291-02-027
Nominating committee, 1991
- Text box: 02 folder: 028 MS291-02-028
Objectives for 1970s
- Text box: 02 folder: 029 MS291-02-029
Possible meeting speakers, 1984-1985
- Text box: 02 folder: 030 MS291-02-030
President's correspondence, 1981-1982
- Text box: 02 folder: 031 MS291-02-031
President's correspondence, 1983
- Text box: 02 folder: 032 MS291-02-032
President's correspondence, 1984
- Text box: 02 folder: 033 MS291-02-033
President's correspondence, 1985
- Text box: 02 folder: 034 MS291-02-034
President's correspondence, 1986
- Text box: 02 folder: 035 MS291-02-035
President's correspondence, 1987
- Text box: 02 folder: 036 MS291-02-036
President's incoming correspondence, 1973-1975
- Text box: 02 folder: 037 MS291-02-037
President's outgoing correspondence, 1973-1975
This series contains records documenting the Old Town Civic Association and its relationship with the Alexandria City Council in the early 1990s.
- Text box: 02 folder: 038 MS291-02-038
City Council retreat, 1992
- Text box: 02 folder: 039 MS291-02-039
1992 Legislative Package
- Text box: 02 folder: 040 MS291-02-040
City Council Candidates' Night, 1991
This 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.
- Text box: 02 folder: 041 MS291-02-041
Airport, 1983-1984
- Text box: 02 folder: 042 MS291-02-042
Alexandria waterfront, 1988-1989
- Text box: 02 folder: 043 MS291-02-043
Alexandria waterfront, undated
- Text box: 02 folder: 044 MS291-02-044
Case ideas, 1984-1985
- Text box: 02 folder: 045 MS291-02-045
Curb cuts, 1991
- Text box: 02 folder: 046 MS291-02-046
Commercial zones downtown, 1990
- Text box: 03 folder: 047 MS291-03-047
Development: 800 North Washington Street, 1990-1991
- Text box: 03 folder: 048 MS291-03-048
Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, 30 April 1992 - June 1992
- Text box: 03 folder: 049 MS291-03-049
Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, 4 April 1992
- Text box: 03 folder: 050 MS291-03-050
Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, April 1992
- Text box: 03 folder: 051 MS291-03-051
Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, February 1992
- Text box: 03 folder: 052 MS291-03-052
Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, January 1992
- Text box: 03 folder: 053 MS291-03-053
Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, October - December 1991
- Text box: 03 folder: 054 MS291-03-054
Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, June - September 1991
- Text box: 03 folder: 055 MS291-03-055
Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, 26 June 1991
- Text box: 03 folder: 056 MS291-03-056
Development: Potomac Yard / Potomac Greens, March 1990 - January 1991
- Text box: 03 folder: 057 MS291-03-057
Development: City Marina / Katie Lang property, 1990-1991
- Text box: 03 folder: 058 MS291-03-058
Development: City Marina / Katie Lang property, undated
- Text box: 04 folder: 059 MS291-04-059
Development: Community "Y" proposal, 1990-1991
- Text box: 04 folder: 060 MS291-04-060
Development: Community "Y" proposal, February - March 1990
- Text box: 04 folder: 061 MS291-04-061
Development: Community "Y" proposal, 1989 - January 1990
- Text box: 04 folder: 062 MS291-04-062
Development: Community "Y" proposal, undated
- Text box: 04 folder: 063 MS291-04-063
Development: DIP urban renewal plan, September 1991 - April 1992
- Text box: 04 folder: 064 MS291-04-064
Development: DIP urban renewal plan, May - September 1981
- Text box: 04 folder: 065 MS291-04-065
Development: Dominion Lands / 400 South Union Street, 1988-1990
- Text box: 04 folder: 066 MS291-04-066
Development: Dominion Lands / 400 South Union Street, undated
- Text box: 04 folder: 067 MS291-04-067
Development: Ford plant, 1990
- Text box: 04 folder: 068 MS291-04-068
Development: Ford plant, 1986-1989
- Text box: 04 folder: 069 MS291-04-069
Development: George Washington Parkway / Potomac Greens, July 1991
- Text box: 04 folder: 070 MS291-04-070
Development: George Washington Parkway / Potomac Greens, 1989-1990
- Text box: 05 folder: 071 MS291-05-071
Development: George Washington Parkway / Potomac Greens, November 1989
- Text box: 05 folder: 072 MS291-05-072
Development: Heliport, 1985-1986
- Text box: 05 folder: 073 MS291-05-073
Development: Jones Point, 1990-1991
- Text box: 05 folder: 074 MS291-05-074
Development: Old Town Center, 1990
- Text box: 05 folder: 075 MS291-05-075
Development: Wilson Bridge, c.1991 (folder 1 of 4)
- Text box: 05 folder: 076 MS291-05-076
Development: Wilson Bridge, c.1991 (folder 2 of 4)
- Text box: 05 folder: 077 MS291-05-077
Development: Wilson Bridge, c.1991 (folder 3 of 4)
- Text box: 05 folder: 078 MS291-05-078
Development: Wilson Bridge, c.1991 (folder 4 of 4)
- Text box: 05 folder: 079 MS291-05-079
Development: Wilson Bridge, undated
- Text box: 06 folder: 080 MS291-06-080
Board of Zoning Appeals, reports and dockets, 1989-1991
- Text box: 06 folder: 081 MS291-06-081
Planning Commission dockets, 1989-1991
- Text box: 06 folder: 082 MS291-06-082
Elderly housing project, 1981-1982
- Text box: 06 folder: 083 MS291-06-083
Historic ordinance, September 1990
- Text box: 06 folder: 084 MS291-06-084
Historic ordinance, October 1990
- Text box: 06 folder: 085 MS291-06-085
Housing, 1986
- Text box: 06 folder: 086 MS291-06-086
Housing, 1982-1983
- Text box: 06 folder: 087 MS291-06-087
Impact of special activities, 1986
- Text box: 06 folder: 088 MS291-06-088
Lawsuits: Community "Y", 1990
- Text box: 07 folder: 089 MS291-07-089
Lawsuits: 909 Cameron Street, 1991
- Text box: 07 folder: 090 MS291-07-090
Miscellaneous cases, 1990-1991
- Text box: 07 folder: 091 MS291-07-091
Miscellaneous cases, 1953, 1981-1983
- Text box: 07 folder: 092 MS291-07-092
Parking, 1989-1991
- Text box: 07 folder: 093 MS291-07-093
Parking, 1987-1988
- Text box: 07 folder: 094 MS291-07-094
Cameron Street parking lot, c.1991 (folder 1 of 2)
- Text box: 07 folder: 095 MS291-07-095
Cameron Street parking lot, c.1991 (folder 2 of 2)
- Text box: 07 folder: 096 MS291-07-096
Parking proposal, 1986
- Text box: 07 folder: 097 MS291-07-097
Parking proposal, 1985
- Text box: 07 folder: 098 MS291-07-098
Old Town Small Area Plan, 1990
- Text box: 08 folder: 099 MS291-08-099
Old Town Small Area Plan, 1989
- Text box: 08 folder: 100 MS291-08-100
Old Town Small Area Plan, 1988 (folder 1 of 3)
- Text box: 08 folder: 101 MS291-08-101
Old Town Small Area Plan, 1988 (folder 2 of 3)
- Text box: 08 folder: 102 MS291-08-102
Old Town Small Area Plan, 1988 (folder 3 of 3)
- Text box: 08 folder: 103 MS291-08-103
North Old Town Small Area Plan, public hearing 1991 (folder 1 of 4)
- Text box: 08 folder: 104 MS291-08-104
North Old Town Small Area Plan, public hearing 1991 (folder 2 of 4)
- Text box: 08 folder: 105 MS291-08-105
North Old Town Small Area Plan, public hearing 1991 (folder 3 of 4)
- Text box: 08 folder: 106 MS291-08-106
North Old Town Small Area Plan, public hearing 1991 (folder 4 of 4)
- Text box: 08 folder: 107 MS291-08-107
North Old Town Small Area Plan, March - September 1991
- Text box: 08 folder: 108 MS291-08-108
North Old Town Small Area Plan, January - March 1991
- Text box: 08 folder: 109 MS291-08-109
North Old Town Small Area Plan, December 1990 - January 1991
- Text box: 09 folder: 110 MS291-09-110
North Old Town Small Area Plan, November 1990
- Text box: 09 folder: 111 MS291-09-111
North Old Town Small Area Plan, April - October 1990
- Text box: 09 folder: 112 MS291-09-112
North Old Town Small Area Plan, February 1990
- Text box: 09 folder: 113 MS291-09-113
North Old Town Small Area Plan, September 1989 - January 1990
- Text box: 09 folder: 114 MS291-09-114
North Old Town Small Area Plan, August 1989
- Text box: 09 folder: 115 MS291-09-115
Sutton Place Gourmet, 1990
- Text box: 09 folder: 116 MS291-09-116
Traffic, 1981
- Text box: 09 folder: 117 MS291-09-117
Transportation, 1982
- Text box: 09 folder: 118 MS291-09-118
Transportation: Cameron Valley, 1989-1990
- Text box: 09 folder: 119 MS291-09-119
Transportation: waterfront taxi / Metromarine, 1991
- Text box: 09 folder: 120 MS291-09-120
Tree planting, 1956-1988
- Text box: 09 folder: 121 MS291-09-121
Tree planting, undated
- Text box: 09 folder: 122 MS291-09-122
Zoning, 1975-1985
- Text box: 09 folder: 123 MS291-09-123
Zoning: Non-conforming use, August - October 1990
- Text box: 10 folder: 124 MS291-10-124
Zoning: Non-conforming use, June 1990
- Text box: 10 folder: 125 MS291-10-125
Zoning: Non-conforming use, February - April 1989
- Text box: 10 folder: 126 MS291-10-126
Old Town Zoning, 1990
- Text box: 10 folder: 127 MS291-10-127
Proposed waterfront zoning ordinance, 1982
- Text box: 10 folder: 128 MS291-10-128
Zoning: Special use permit, 210 King Street, 1987-1988
- Text box: 10 folder: 129 MS291-10-129
Zoning: Special use permit, Anchorage House, February - May 1985
- Text box: 10 folder: 130 MS291-10-130
Zoning: Special use permit, Anchorage House, September 1984 - January 1985
- Text box: 10 folder: 131 MS291-10-131
Zoning: Special use permit, Anchorage House, undated
- Text box: 10 folder: 132 MS291-10-132
Zoning: Special use permit, Cavanaugh's Brew Pub, July 1991
- Text box: 10 folder: 133 MS291-10-133
Zoning: Special use permit, Cavanaugh's Brew Pub, September 1991
- Text box: 10 folder: 134 MS291-10-134
Zoning: Special use permit, Fitzgerald's Restaurant, 1992
- Text box: 10 folder: 135 MS291-10-135
Zoning variances, 1989-1990
- Text box: 10 folder: 136 MS291-10-136
Zoning variances, 501 Duke Street, 1990
- Text box: 10 folder: 137 MS291-10-137
Zoning code, 1990
- Text box: 11 folder: 138 MS291-11-138
Zoning code, September - November 1989
- Text box: 11 folder: 139 MS291-11-139
Zoning code, April - June 1989
- Text box: 11 folder: 140 MS291-11-140
Zoning code, 1988
This 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.
- Text box: 11 folder: 141 MS291-11-141
Annual Party Reports, 1987-1990
- Text box: 11 folder: 142 MS291-11-142
Annual Party Reports, 1984-1986
- Text box: 11 folder: 143 MS291-11-143
Annual Party Reports, 1980-1983
- Text box: 11 folder: 144 MS291-11-144
Old Town Crier newsletter, 1987-1991
- Text box: 11 folder: 145 MS291-11-145
Old Town Crier newsletter, 1981-1985
- Text box: 11 folder: 146 MS291-11-146
Old Town Crier newsletter, 1955-1958
- Text box: 11 folder: 147 MS291-11-147
Membership notices
- MS291-OS##-148
Old Town Crier masthead, c.1950s
- MS291-OS##-149
Miscellaneous publicity materials
- MS291-OS##-150
Newsclippings, 1951-1991
This 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.
- Text box: 11 folder: 151 MS291-11-151
Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations, c.1985
- Text box: 11 folder: 152 MS291-11-152
Board of Architectural Review (BAR), 1987-1991
- Text box: 11 folder: 153 MS291-11-153
Citizens for the Abatement of Airport Noise, 1990-1991
- Text box: 12 folder: 154 MS291-12-154
City of Alexandria annual reports 1980, 1985, 1986, 1991
- Text box: 12 folder: 155 MS291-12-155
City of Alexandria, roster of boards, commissions, and committees, 1983
- Text box: 12 folder: 156 MS291-12-156
Historic Alexandria Foundation, c.1990
- Text box: 12 folder: 157 MS291-12-157
Inter-Service Club Council, 1985
- Text box: 12 folder: 158 MS291-12-158
Waterfront Commission, 1975
This series contains oversized plans, architectural drawings, maps, and blueprints from various projects.
- MS291-OS##-159
Miscellaneous plans, maps, and blueprints, 1969-1990
This 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.
Access 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 Assorted Media Box: AM01 object: 160 MS291-AM01-160
Audio recording of city council candidates' comments1 Cassettes 1 micro cassette tapeApril 1991Scope and Contents
Audio 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
- Moving Images Assorted Media Box: AM01 object: 161 MS291-AM01-161
Video recording of city council public hearing on Community "Y"1 Cassettes 1 VHS tape24 March 1990Scope and Contents
Video 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"
- Moving Images Assorted Media Box: AM01 object: 162 MS291-AM01-162
Video recording of Old Town Civic Association meeting1 Cassettes 1 VHS tapec. 1993Scope and Contents
Video 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"
This series contains memorabilia objects related to the activities of the Old Town Civic Association.
- Realia Assorted Media Box: AM01 object: 163 MS291-AM01-163
Support the Small Area Plans buttonsScope and Contents
Two pinback buttons which both read, "SUPPORT THE SMALL AREA PLANS"