In the center of Charlottesville is a park. A park that, lately, has seen its fair share of blood and spit, pepper spray and violence, tears and prayers. It sits in the city’s northeast quadrant and takes up a square block, sandwiched between First and Second streets to the west and east, Jefferson Street to the north and Market Street to the south. For nearly 93 years it was known as Lee Park. But for the last three months, officially at least, it’s been called Emancipation Park.
Related stories
Tenants report alarming conditions in supportive housing community, while staff say they’re doing their best to help
We know a little about how Jerome Jones lived. We don’t know for certain when he died. We know from his obituary that Jerome Lee Jones was born on June 13, 1966. We know he worked at the University of Virginia for 20 years, that he rooted for the Dallas Cowboys, that he “loved the […]
Nathan Alderman | June 17, 2026
Tenants report alarming conditions in supportive housing community, while staff say they’re doing their best to help
We know a little about how Jerome Jones lived. We don’t know for certain when he died. We know from his obituary that Jerome Lee Jones was born on June 13, 1966. We know he worked at the University of Virginia for 20 years, that he rooted for the Dallas Cowboys, that he “loved the […]
Nathan Alderman | June 17, 2026
Retail spending is up across the region compared to last year, according to the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce
Spending in the city and surrounding counties rose year over year in the first three months of 2026, according to a June 12 report from the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce. The report, based on Virginia Department of Taxation’s Local Option Sales Tax Data, found that the area brought in roughly $1.44 million more in […]
Catie Ratliff | June 17, 2026
Retail spending is up across the region compared to last year, according to the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce
Spending in the city and surrounding counties rose year over year in the first three months of 2026, according to a June 12 report from the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce. The report, based on Virginia Department of Taxation’s Local Option Sales Tax Data, found that the area brought in roughly $1.44 million more in […]
Catie Ratliff | June 17, 2026
Jefferson School and Black Business Expo join forces to celebrate and uplift Black community members
The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center and Charlottesville Albemarle Black Business Expo combine forces on June 20 for their third annual joint event. The all-day gathering is the culmination of months of preparation and years of history. Before coming to the Jefferson School, Charlottesville’s Juneteenth Celebration was held at Piedmont Virginia Community College and […]
Catie Ratliff | June 17, 2026
Jefferson School and Black Business Expo join forces to celebrate and uplift Black community members
The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center and Charlottesville Albemarle Black Business Expo combine forces on June 20 for their third annual joint event. The all-day gathering is the culmination of months of preparation and years of history. Before coming to the Jefferson School, Charlottesville’s Juneteenth Celebration was held at Piedmont Virginia Community College and […]
Catie Ratliff | June 17, 2026