The Landmarks communicate various aspects of Richmond history and detail the stories of particular locations using photographs, artifacts and quotes. Community members were a crucial element of this effort through their engagement in a series of events we called “Memories of Macdonald.” These programs included a community story-sharing event, a youth theater program, downtown walking tours and an inter-generational “dance swap” in the old ballroom in the historic Winters Building (now East Bay Center for the Performing Arts).

Macdonald Landmarks was commissioned by the Richmond Community Redevelopment Agency as part of a streetscape renovation for the city’s main commercial thoroughfare. Phase 1, completed in July 2009, includes Landmarks and cast iron sidewalk panels at the corners of Macdonald Avenue and Harbour Way, 11th Street, 12th Street, Marina Way South and in the plaza at the inter-modal transit station at 15th Street and Macdonald Avenue. Phase 2 will extend the markers west to Garrard Boulevard.