New Mural Unveiled In Time For Juneteenth In Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH, VA — The newest mural in the City of Falls Church was unveiled to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday.

The mural titled "Hope for Tomorrow" is located on the side of The Blacksmith Shop, a landmark on the grounds of Falls Church Episcopal, at E. Fairfax and Douglass Streets. The mural received funding from the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia, and individual donors. The mural artist is David Barr.

The mural centers around blacksmith Henry Simms and The Blacksmith Shop Robert Harmon. According to the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation's 100 Years Black Falls Church project, Simms ran the shop for Harmon. The two men are centered inside a horseshoe, which represents an icon of blacksmiths.

"Having it pointed upwards suggests luck, good fortune, and a positive outlook," the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation shared in a Facebook post. "Hence, Mr. Harmon and Mr. [Simms] inside the horseshoe showcases their relationship as positive."

To the right and left of the two men are two other symbolic parts of the mural. On the left, flames are pictured, representing struggle and "opportunity to ignite change," according to the foundation. To the right is a Black Lives Matter protester, representing the struggle that still exists.

Tears are included between different parts of the mural, representing "fractures we still have in society," according to the foundation.

The Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation says the mural is meant to be hopeful, as Simms and Harmon came together and "we can too."