Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Loudoun County Heritage Commission met in person at the Government Center in Leesburg on October 7, 2026. The meeting covered a range of topics including a proposal to add the county seal to the flag, updates on the courthouse grounds master plan, a new public comment procedure, several heritage register nominations, and a letter to the Board of Supervisors regarding data center impacts. Key decisions included adopting a formal public comment period, approving four Aldie heritage nominations, sending a data center letter with amendments, and forming a working group to consult the Royal College of Arms on flag changes.
County Flag Board Member Initiative (Presentation by Glen Barbour)
Glen Barbour, County Public Affairs Officer, presented the Board of Supervisors’ request for the Heritage Commission’s input on adding the county seal to the Loudoun County flag. He reviewed the history of the flag (adopted in 1968 based on the Earl of Loudoun’s coat of arms) and showed examples of flag modifications. Commissioners discussed the need to consult the Royal College of Arms before altering the flag. A motion passed to form a working group (Commissioners Bill Wilkins and Elizabeth Erickson) to draft an inquiry to the Royal College of Arms about proper procedures for modifying the granted emblem. The commission also agreed to respond formally to the Board of Supervisors at a later date.
Courthouse Grounds Master Plan Stakeholders Meeting (Update by Roger Kimball and Heidi Sternitzke)
Commissioners Kimball and Sternitzke reported on a September 20/21 Zoom meeting with consultants for the courthouse grounds master plan. A list of questions was circulated to the full commission for input, with comments due to staff by October 9 (midday) for a Friday deadline. The commission emphasized preserving the historic integrity of the old courthouse grounds (a National Historic Landmark) and recommended focusing new memorials on the newer courthouse plaza. Future opportunities for formal public input on the master plan were requested.
Introducing Public Input (Resolution)
Chair Gulland presented a resolution to establish a 15-minute public comment period at the beginning of each regular meeting. After debate, the commission adopted the resolution with a three-minute limit per speaker and chair discretion to adjust the total comment period. The commission also directed staff to publicize the new comment period and the work of the commission to increase public participation.
Manassas Gap Railroad Update (Presented by Steve Thompson)
In recognition of Virginia Archaeology Month, Thompson updated the commission on a project to document and publicize the history of the Loudoun branch of the Manassas Gap Railroad (pre-Civil War). A monograph has been completed, and a web-based story map is in development. A photography campaign is planned for fall 2026 to capture images of the railroad bed, which lies mostly on private land.
Section 106 Update (Chair Gulland)
Stewardship Responsibilities of County Agencies
Chair Gulland reported that county staff (including department heads from Planning, Parks, and General Services) are preparing a list of potential improvements and costs for historic structure maintenance. A meeting with Mr. Hemp Street is expected to be scheduled soon.
Banshee Reeks Project
The Stewardship Subcommittee reported that stabilization work is ongoing at Banshee Reeks, but a report from architectural historian Morel Calbion has not yet been received. Staff is following up.
Heritage Register - Aldie Nominations (Presented by Heidi Sternitzke)
The commission approved four nominations to the Loudoun County Heritage Register:
Heritage Map Publicity (Emily Sternitzke and Roger Johnson)
Staff is working with Public Affairs to promote the heritage map. Printed questionnaires will be made available at the November meeting for public input, and a formal meeting with the public affairs officer is planned.
Oak Hill
The commission learned that Oak Hill has received a $750,000 Save America’s Treasures grant to address roof issues, repointing mortar, and replacing heat pumps. A friends group is needed to manage fundraising. It was suggested to reach out to the Community Foundation to hold funds.
Data Center Working Group (Presented by Tara Connell)
The commission discussed a letter and white paper on data center impacts. After amendments (including language on fiscal risk from over-reliance, inseparability of data centers and power infrastructure, and threat to natural/historic landscapes), the letter was approved for transmission to the Board of Supervisors. The commission also discussed timing: the board will vote on grandfathering on October 8 and on the pause on October 20. The letter will be sent before October 20, with a request to speak at that meeting.
2026. I want to remind everybody that the meeting is being recorded and will be made available to the public on the county's website following the meeting. Should you require accommodation, please let staff know that a hearing group or other devices are available for your participation in the meeting. And in accordance with the heritage commission's bylaws, Commissioner Clark has received advanced approval by the county attorney's office to participate remotely from Syracuse, New York for continuing education reasons, which made his physical presence not possible. Welcome, Reid, and thank you for participating. Thank you. And this may be the last time I I say this. Before we get started, I'd like to take a moment to remind the public how the Heritage Commission conducts its meetings. There is no public comment period. There is on the Heritage Commission's website a form that members of the public can fill out and submit in order to uh participate in the uh uh hearing itself and to make a presentation in the hearing. And I said it's the last time I'm going to make that because on the agenda tonight is a proposal that was discussed at our last meeting to amend the procedures and to provide for a public comment here. Uh uh everyone listening in the audience is asked to maintain the decorum while listening to the agenda items. And I've been asked to say that speaking out and shouting from the audience is not permitted during the meeting. Cheering and clapping are not permitted during the meeting. And anyone who is disruptive to the meeting may be asked to leave the room. That fortunately, in my experience at least, has never been a problem in the heritage commission. And I can confirm at this time that we have a quorum and that we can uh continue. And I want to welcome Puja back. I hope you're feeling better after your access. I am uh the first item on the agenda uh is to review and approve the proposed agenda for the meeting. Uh you've all received copies of the uh agenda last week. Does anybody have any uh proposed additions or other modifications to the agenda? Hearing none, I ask for a motion to approve the agenda. So moved. Um a second, second, sir. Uh all those in favor. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. Uh I also direct your attention to the draft minutes of our last meeting, which was on September 14th, 2026. They were also circulated to uh members of the commission last week. Are there any proposed changes, corrections, or additions to the minutes of the meeting? Hearing none, I ask for a motion to approve the minutes from last month's meeting. So moved. Thank you, George. Second. Second. Roger, thank you. Uh and with that, I think we can now proceed to our presentations.