FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 26, 2024

Charlottesville Takes Additional Step to Honor Community Bridge Builders: Installation of New Signs on West Main’s Drewary Brown Memorial Bridge.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, workers will install on each end of the Drewary Brown Memorial Bridge on West Main Street a sign commemorating his legacy as a community bridge builder in Charlottesville. Following completion of the bridge, in 1998 Charlottesville’s City Council voted to rename it to honor Mr. Brown and others “who succeeded in building bridges in our community." Drewary J. Brown (1918-1998) had been an inspirational Civil Rights leader in Charlottesville. Since 2001, 37 plaques have been installed on the bridge honoring Charlottesville citizens who contributed to civil rights, justice, and equality issues and worked to bring our community together, including people from varying racial, economic, and social backgrounds.

Recently, working with the Bridge Builders organization, the City refurbished the name plaques, which were reinstalled on a brick wall at the east approach to the bridge. A formal ceremony is planned for later this year; however, in lieu of waiting to unveil the signs, they will be left uncovered to immediately celebrate the accomplishments of Mr. Brown and all of the City’s Bridge Builders.

Media Contact:
Afton Schneider
Director of Communications & Public Engagement
City of Charlottesville
434-996-0331
media@charlottesville.gov