A Statement from the Historic Richmond Association

For decades, the Historic Richmond Association has existed for one fundamental purpose: to serve and support the Richmond community.

That purpose is not simply a slogan. It is reflected in the Historic Richmond Association's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and has guided generations of volunteers who have given their time, talents and energy to Richmond without compensation.

The Historic Richmond Association has produced community events, promoted local businesses, supported historic downtown Richmond, created opportunities for artists and vendors, and helped bring thousands of visitors into our community. Events such as Miracle On Morton Street, Art In The Bend, Motown On Morton, Trunk or Treat were created and sustained not for the financial benefit of the Historic Richmond Association, but for the benefit of Richmond.

Behind every festival, banner, vendor application, sponsorship, permit, meeting and community project have been volunteers — often contributing hundreds of hours — because they believed Richmond was worth the effort.

Something Changed

Over the last several years, and particularly since 2023, the Historic Richmond Association has experienced a significant change in the relationship between the organization and the community it was created to serve.

Support and participation from Historic Richmond businesses have declined. Volunteer participation has become increasingly difficult to sustain. Misinformation and innuendo about the Historic Richmond Association and those volunteering on its behalf have circulated throughout the community, often without anyone contacting the Historic Richmond Association directly to determine whether what was being said was true.

Most significantly, the relationship with our local governmental partners has changed.

An organization such as the Historic Richmond Association cannot successfully produce large community events without cooperation among volunteers, businesses, sponsors and local government. That partnership is essential. That is why we exist.

When communication is replaced by conversations about the Historic Richmond Association rather than conversations with the Historic Richmond Association, when promised or historically relied-upon support is withdrawn, and when an organization must continually defend itself while simultaneously being expected to continue serving the community, the relationship necessary to fulfill its mission no longer exists.

Why the Historic Richmond Association Is Choosing to Dissolve

The Historic Richmond Association was created to support its community.

When the community an organization volunteers hundreds of hours to serve no longer supports the organization in return, the message eventually becomes clear.

It is time to open the door for whatever comes next.

The decision to pursue dissolution of the Historic Richmond Association was not made impulsively or out of anger. It came after considerable discussion and recognition that continuing to fight simply for the opportunity to serve Richmond was no longer consistent with the purpose for which the Historic Richmond Association exists.

The Historic Richmond Association has retained legal counsel, followed the requirements of its governing documents, and is working through the process of responsibly dissolving the organization and determining how its remaining assets can continue to benefit the community.

We had hoped this transition could occur professionally and with the cooperation of the community the Historic Richmond Association has served for so many decades.

Unfortunately, even the dissolution process has demonstrated why the decision became necessary.

The Historic Richmond Association Is Still Here

Dissolution is a process. It does not mean the Historic Richmond Association has simply disappeared.

Until that process is completed, the Historic Richmond Association remains an organization with responsibilities and commitments to fulfill.

That includes Miracle On Morton Street, December 5.

The Historic Richmond Association intends to honor the commitments it has made and do everything within its ability to produce the event entrusted to it. Our vendors, sponsors, visitors and community deserve that professionalism regardless of the circumstances surrounding the Historic Richmond Association's future transition.

We ask that information regarding the Historic Richmond Association and its events come directly from the Historic Richmond Association rather than through rumor, assumption or third-party conversations.

To Richmond

There is sadness in reaching this point.

But there is also tremendous pride.

The Historic Richmond Association's history cannot be measured solely by whether the organization continues to exist. It can be seen in crowded streets during festivals, small businesses meeting new customers, artists and makers finding an audience, children writing letters to Santa, art being celebrated, neighbors gathering together, and traditions that became part of Richmond because volunteers believed they were worth creating.

Those things happened.

They mattered.

And no controversy surrounding the Historic Richmond Association's final chapter can erase them.

We remain grateful to every volunteer, business, sponsor, vendor, artist, community partner and resident who supported the Historic Richmond Association and its events throughout the years. You helped make that history possible.

The Historic Richmond Association was created to serve Richmond.

We did.

And now, with appreciation for what has been accomplished and hope for what others may create in the future, we are opening the door to whatever comes next.

— Historic Richmond Association Board of Directors