The community of Great Falls is abundant with creative talent. Our ability to socialize our children into many layers of being in the world is truly remarkable: the home and school, the beach, the mountains and ski slopes, the world of the spirit, the arts, the sciences, technology, philosophy…exploration in nature, taking walks, journeying on the river, photographing nature, looking out the window while doing homework - connecting with the tree spirits, the herd of deer, the birds outside the window, all hanging out in the same tree. Our children have access to the knowledge of the world through the centuries on their phone, laptop or computer. There is a dialectic between the human spirit creating and the experience of knowing it all, having it all. Our children deserve access to remarkable mentors, experts in our midst, our neighbors, who make themselves available to young, raw talent and show them everything they know without limitation – to transfer our best knowing for the next generation to cultivate and advance.
Whether moms and dads in a tent, sharing how to cook a Jerusalem artichoke, or a bunch of physicists gazing at the stars, discussing constellations, or artists sharing how to layer the paint to show the trees dancing in the breeze, our community is robust with talent and deserves sufficient community space to nurture and grow the wide diversity of creative talent that is our true collective wealth.
The Great Falls Historical Society, for one, has been gathering history, filming oral histories, collecting photos and historic artifacts from local residents. As our work continues, the need for a place for the local story – an archive – grows. Further, having a place for people to come see the collection – a physical place in our village that would allow us to share the local story with our community, as historical societies are meant to do, would be awesome.
Many non-profits in our village experience the identical lack of place. How can we live in an affluent village and experience such a paucity of community space? When will we properly house all the elements of our remarkably creative community so that our entire community thrives?
In our long journey of lobbying to leave as much of our land untouched, we have deprived ourselves of sufficient community space to experiment, practice, perform, show, become, accomplish, share with others, so as to grow a vibrant experience of community.
Now that the Grange has been made handicap accessible, now that the Turner Farm or Purple House are potentially eligible under the Resident Curatorship program, it is time to begin the conversation about finding a place for us – and gathering the resources needed to have a place for our creative community.
We cannot move forward without financial viability – not wealth that shows, but with simplicity – the humility of possession that characterized the farmers before us who managed their resources in a practical, earthy manner.
It is time for us to give serious consideration to a special tax district for the purpose of developing community spaces for our village. A special tax district would require that each resident contribute a modest percentage of their real estate taxes – in Reston and McLean that amount is 2.5% - for the sole purpose of funding their community space - their community centers. Such funds could be dedicated to the purpose our community defines, whether to fund the maintenance fees of a resident curatorship, the construction of a new performance center, the purchase of land for donation to the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, etc.
Some in our community say they would never agree to be taxed. While establishing a special tax district through Fairfax County provides certain benefits in terms of tax collection, engaging the entire community in contributing their share, etc., it is also possible to set up a private community collective that is self-governed. Whatever the shape and form, it is time that the entire community have a part in realizing our potential and that all members of our community have a vote in community issues. A special tax district offers the most disciplined inclusiveness and our best hope of having sufficient resources to take our creative community to its fullest expression and most tangible manifestation.
Let’s begin the conversation.
The author is president of the Great Falls Historical Society.