Goochland at a Glance - February 21, 2025

Weekly Highlights | February 21, 2025

Goochland County's Commissioner of the Revenue Reminds Citizens of March 1st Deadlines

High Mileage Deduction
Business Licenses
Real Estate Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled

Please contact the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office at (804) 556-5807 or visit them online for more information.

Parks and Recreation Begins Master Plan Process

The Goochland County Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce the launch of its Master Plan process. This comprehensive planning effort will guide the future development and enhancement of parks, trails, recreation facilities, and programs over the next 5-10 years. Read more.

Virginia Department of Forestry - 4:00 PM Burn Law in Effect Through April 30th

The Virginia Department of Forestry 4 p.m. Burn Law is in effect from February 15th through April 30th.

The 4:00 PM Burning Law specifies:

No burning until AFTER 4:00 p.m. February 15 through April 30 of each year, if the fire is in or within 300 feet of woodland, brushland or field containing dry grass or other flammable material.
Fire shall not be left unattended if within 150 feet of woodland, brushland or fields containing dry grass.
No new fires set, no fuel added, or fire rekindled after midnight.
Law applies to campfires, warming fires, brush piles, leaves, household trash, stumps, fields of broom straw and brush or anything capable of spreading fire.
The law provides for a penalty of up to $500, plus payment of court costs and fire suppression costs if the fire escapes.

For questions or more information about the 4:00 p.m. Burning Law contact the local Virginia Department of Forestry office at (540.967.3702) or Goochland County Fire-Rescue (804.556.5304).

Throughout the month of February, we will be highlighting historically significant Black facilities and influential residents who have shaped Goochland's history.

Central High School

Opened in 1938, Central High School served as Goochland County's only high school for African American students, replacing the Fauquier Training School that had served the community since 1923 before being lost to a fire in 1937. Originally a six-room brick building, Central was built on an 11-acre site with a grant from the Public Works Administration. Its academic, social, and cultural programs were central to the community.

Following desegregation in 1969, the building served as the integrated junior high school, changing its name to Goochland Middle School in 1989, until closing 2006. Central remained closed until the gymnasium reopened under the Parks and Recreation department in 2017. The historic portion of the facility was reopened in 2018 and now serves as the Central High Cultural & Educational Complex.

During the renovations, the County worked diligently to pay tribute to the history of the facility, working with community members and past students. One of the first major accomplishments was restoring the Central High School sign above the main doors. Visitors to the facility can step back in time by visiting the Central Museum and by using an interactive kiosk to flip through digitized yearbooks dating back to 1949.

Central High Cultural and Educational Complex is located at 2748 Dogtown Road.

From his military service to his on-going dedication to his community, Calvin Hopkins has spent his life helping others. A Vietnam veteran and retired U.S. Air Force member, he has been a mentor, civic leader, and historian, helping shape the community in countless ways.

As President of Second Union Rosenwald School, Calvin has worked to preserve an important piece of Black history, leading renovations and historical exhibits.

He has been involved in many civic organizations and activities, including the Goochland Recreational Center, Board of Equalization, Recreation Advisory Committee, Central High Restoration Committee, Court House Green Restoration Committee. Calvin was inducted into the Goochland County Parks and Recreation Wall of Fame in 2016.

Calvin lives his motto, "Always willing to help others.", every day, and continues to positively impact his community. Currently, he is on the planning committee for the Black History Musical Program, scheduled for February 22, 2025, at Goochland High School.

Second Union Rosenwald School Museum Corp presents 'Uniting Communities Through Music' at Goochland High School on Saturday, February 22nd at 3PM. This event will feature the VSU Concert Choir, GHS Choir, Dr. Cavell Phillips, and a Silent Auction.

Register for Alerts

Register to receive notifications and alerts based on your interests and preferences! Alerts can be received via text and/or email. To register for alerts using the website, you will need to set up an account to select how you would like to get notifications and which notifications you would like to receive.

The notification categories and methods can be found here: https://goochlandva.us/list.aspx 

Please note that a separate registration must be made for Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, or Economic Development Authority (EDA) meeting agendas & packets. To register for those meeting agendas, public notices, packets, & minutes of those three Boards/Commissions, please visit https://goochlandva.us/634/Notifications-Enrollment.

Weekly Highlights | February 21, 2025

Goochland County's Commissioner of the Revenue Reminds Citizens of March 1st Deadlines

Economic Development Authority Meeting Moved to February 25th

Planning Commission Meeting Moved to February 27th