Arlington County residents are invited to a free community event on Thursday, Sept. 24, that will shine a spotlight on three historic Black neighborhoods—Green Valley, Johnson’s Hill and Halls’ Hill. The Langston Boulevard Alliance office will host artist Zane Killgo, a fifth‑generation Arlingtonian, as he presents three oversized digital collages that capture the evolution of each community.
Art that tells a story
Killgo, a 2024 graduate of Norfolk State University, explained that each collage layers photographs of key buildings to create a visual hierarchy. “I wanted to give a visual depiction of the cross section between new and old residents during gentrification, and the pros and cons that could come from that,” he said. The pieces aim to illustrate how these neighborhoods have persisted through change while retaining their unique character.
Historical roots
All three neighborhoods trace their origins to the period after the Civil War. John D. Nauck Jr., a former Confederate soldier, purchased 46 acres, subdivided the land and sold lots to African‑American families, creating what later became Green Valley (formerly known as Nauck). The community flourished until 1902, when amendments to Virginia’s constitution curtailed Black voting rights and halted further growth.
Johnson’s Hill, once part of the Custis‑Lee estate where enslaved people labored, was seized by Union forces in 1861. After the war, formerly enslaved families acquired parcels and built a thriving settlement now known as Arlington View, recognized as one of the county’s oldest historically Black areas.
Halls’ Hill emerged as the earliest enclave settled by newly freed slaves in Northern Virginia during Reconstruction. “They were some of the first places where Black people could buy property in Arlington, often right after the Civil War,” Killgo noted.
Community dialogue
The event will feature a reception where attendees can view the collages up close and learn about the neighborhoods’ histories. Residents from each area will join a panel discussion, sharing personal reflections on how the artwork reflects their lived experience and the ongoing impact of gentrification.
“It’s an opportunity to learn that Arlington’s history is richer and more layered than people often realize, and that Black neighborhoods like Green Valley, Johnson’s Hill and Halls’ Hill helped shape this county and the surrounding area in many ways,” Killgo said.
Supporting the Arlington Art Collection
Proceeds from the event will help fund the inclusion of Killgo’s collages in the Arlington Art Collection, which already features more than 70 permanent public art projects. The collection seeks to represent the diverse stories of Arlington’s residents and to foster a sense of shared heritage.
Killgo encourages locals to attend, view the pieces, and consider how the artwork speaks to them personally. “I would love for people to come out and see the collages for themselves, see the artwork for themselves, and see how it speaks to them,” he said.
Details
Location: Langston Boulevard Alliance office, Arlington, VA
Date & Time: Thursday, Sept. 24, 6:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
For more information, visit the Langston Boulevard Alliance website.
WTOP’s José Umaña contributed to the original report.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
