West Ford
(1784 - 1863)
Founder and Father of Gum Springs
GUM SPRINGS HOMEOWNERS ORGANIZATION (GSHO)
Empowering Change with Knowledge!
Gum Springs Homeowners Organization (GSHO) is a new community-based organization in Gum Springs organized by homeowners in the oldest African American community in Fairfax County. We strive for: Empowering Change with Knowledge! We are members of the Mount Vernon Council of Citizen's Associations (MVCCA). We are not affiliated with the New Gum Springs Civic Association (NGSCA). Click here for FAQs about GSHO.
How Information is Disseminated: To ensure owners have a voice in the betterment of the Gum Springs community and the real estate values of their property, we are a valid repository of accurate information for owners. Our major form of communication will be The HOV, email and when necessary Zoom meetings.
Stay informed…and…Help us grow!
Stay informed…and…Help us grow!
GUM SPRINGS 250
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Click here to complete and submit an online membership application or visit the Membership page. NO DUES or FEES.
Stay Informed! Click here to subscribe to The HOV eNewsletter.
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Types of Community Historic Designations
The Gum Springs Resource Study Community Leadership Team is comprised of: Vincent Carter, Ron Chase, Pamela King, and Dan Moon.
Homeowners need to be knowledgeable about the types of historic designations to include which ones are restrictive that require regulations and oversight for the owners’ property. As of May 2024, the funding for this study increased from $60,000 to almost $200,000. A portion of this funding are taxpayers funds. So be prepared, knowledgeable, ask questions and vote when the time comes.
Click here for more information posted by Fairfax County Planning & Development.
Here are three documents homeowners are sharing with homeowners that may address certain questions and concerns they may have:
Click here to view the 24-page document published by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources
Fairfax County (local) historic designations:
Click on the pdf below to view:
Homeowners need to be knowledgeable about the types of historic designations to include which ones are restrictive that require regulations and oversight for the owners’ property. As of May 2024, the funding for this study increased from $60,000 to almost $200,000. A portion of this funding are taxpayers funds. So be prepared, knowledgeable, ask questions and vote when the time comes.
Click here for more information posted by Fairfax County Planning & Development.
Here are three documents homeowners are sharing with homeowners that may address certain questions and concerns they may have:
Click here to view the 24-page document published by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources
- Virginia Historical Registers: A Guide for Property Owners
Fairfax County (local) historic designations:
Click on the pdf below to view:
Fairfax County Heritage Resources Districts (published by Fairfax County Department of Heritage Resources during November 2021
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Historic District Designations Briefing by Fairfax County Heritage Resources Department of Planning & Development to NGSCA on November 9, 2021
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Is a Man’s Home His Castle?
With no disrespect to other genders, it’s been often said a man’s home is his castle. When you own a home it’s a huge investment and you take pride in your investment by maintaining the property’s upkeep and expect your neighbors to do so as well.
The Gum Springs Heritage Resources Study was initially funded at $60,000. The cost as we learned on May 28, 2024, reached more than $193,000. Perhaps those funds could have been better spent requiring current owners to clean up their property to demonstrate the beautification and pride owners have of properties in Gum Springs that would be worthy of a historic designation.
Are we not bothered by property that are eyesores within the community? How many properties have you driven by, walked by or live next door to that is an eyesore (i.e., house is in disrepair, abandon/inoperable cars, boats and trailers parked within eyesight or on the street, etc.)?
How can you take pride in a community when an owner does not have that same level of pride or care of his/her property? Clean up Gum Springs before embarking on a historic designation that would include eyesore properties!
Below are examples of such eyesores that would be included in having a historic designation. If a property owner is/has been unwilling to clean up his/her property now, what makes the community feel the owner would do so with a prestigious historic designation? What good is a historic designation with such properties nullifying any increased value for being a historic district?
The Gum Springs Heritage Resources Study was initially funded at $60,000. The cost as we learned on May 28, 2024, reached more than $193,000. Perhaps those funds could have been better spent requiring current owners to clean up their property to demonstrate the beautification and pride owners have of properties in Gum Springs that would be worthy of a historic designation.
Are we not bothered by property that are eyesores within the community? How many properties have you driven by, walked by or live next door to that is an eyesore (i.e., house is in disrepair, abandon/inoperable cars, boats and trailers parked within eyesight or on the street, etc.)?
How can you take pride in a community when an owner does not have that same level of pride or care of his/her property? Clean up Gum Springs before embarking on a historic designation that would include eyesore properties!
Below are examples of such eyesores that would be included in having a historic designation. If a property owner is/has been unwilling to clean up his/her property now, what makes the community feel the owner would do so with a prestigious historic designation? What good is a historic designation with such properties nullifying any increased value for being a historic district?
While some are thrilled about the prospect of achieving a historic designation; others are cringing. Who can take pride when this is what greets you when you enter Gum Springs—the oldest African American community in Fairfax County—from either Richmond Highway & Fordson Road or Richmond Highway & Sherwood Hall Lane. Look at how you are Welcomed to Gum Springs!
Entrance from Richmond Highway onto Fordson Road
Entrance from Richmond Highway onto Sherwood Hall Lane
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GSHO--A Voice for Gum Springs Homeowners
Empowering Change with Knowledge!
Empowering Change with Knowledge!
The MISSION of the Gum Springs Homeowners Organization (GSHO) is two-fold: 1) ensure the same quality of life as other residents in the Mount Vernon Magisterial District; and 2) define Gum Springs as a place for growth, development and progress.
The strength of the community lies in diversity and the power of the community is in our hands. Therefore, GSHO will strive to:
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IMPORTANT NOTES
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Note #1: GSHO's boundaries are the 214 acres as determined by West Ford, the founder and father of Gum Springs.
Note #2: GSHO is uniquely separate and different from the New Gum Springs Civic Association. GSHO members pay real estate and property taxes who should and will demand a voice and seat at the table with appropriate officials, organizations and agencies on matters concerning their property, redevelopment projects and other owner related concerns as stated in the GSHO mission statement.
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Note #3: Unlike a HOA/COA/POA that is exclusive, membership in GSHO is inclusive for all owners and does not affect an owner’s membership in his/her required home/condo/property owners association that is governed by covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) or where homeowners collectively pay fees for common area maintenance and upkeep of facilities such as the homeowners on the private section of Holland Road responsible for their road maintenance.
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