HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — Harrisonburg City Council approved the display of “Newtown Before Urban Renewal” mosaics in the City Hall lobby for August during last night’s meeting. 

Artist Barbara Camph requested approval to display 20 mosaic pieces created by her that depict the vibrant life of Newtown before Urban Renewal. 

Camph said she presented the idea to Mayor Deanna Reed, who she said recommended people for her to talk to. 

Examples of “Newtown Before Urban Renewal” mosaics
Examples of “Newtown Before Urban Renewal” mosaics by Barbara Camph

 “I went and talked with them and collected so many stories and their stories led me on to other people,” said Camph. “There’s a great collection by JMU, there’s a lot of online stuff. And my job I just thought was to collect all the things that made sense to try to display what life was like there.”

 Camph took inspiration from stories and photographs and developed the mosaic pieces, which were each presented to the Council. 

The Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project was credited as a major contributor of information for the individual panels.