Lucy Goode Brooks
Photo Credit: Library of Virginia Changemakers
About Richmond's Honorary Street Name Designations
Honorary street names can be found throughout Richmond, and are intended to memorialize individuals for their civic, cultural, humanitarian, or historically significant contributions to the Richmond Community. These designations typically apply to a portion of a street, such as a city block, and are designated by Richmond City Council via the passing of an Ordinance. Honorary street names do not replace the existing name of a street and do not require an alteration to maps or addresses.
Lucy Goode Brooks
Born enslaved on September 13, 1818, in the Richmond, Virginia area, Lucy Goode Brooks dedicated her life to the protection of orphaned children after the American Civil War by founding the Friends' Asylum for Colored Orphans in 1871. This orphanage became a child placement agency in 1932, working primarily with foster families. Its successor organization — a child development center called Friends Association for Children — is still in operation to this day. The Lucy Brooks Foundation, created in 1984 to raise funds for the association, was named in honor of its founder.
Designation Area:
The first block at the intersection of West Charity Street and St. John Street has been given the honorary designation of Lucy Goode Brooks Square.
Download the Council Ordinance:
Learn more about this Honorary Street Designation by downloading a copy of the legislation. The Council Ordinance below is in PDF format:
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