The Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation was established in 1997 to preserve and celebrate the early civil rights history of Northern Virginia. African Americans have been an integral part of the local history of Northern Virginia in slavery and in freedom. From emancipation, through segregation, to non-violent peaceful protest and civil discourse,African Americanshelped to bring about social change, equal rights, and equal access in education, voting rights, public utilities, and transportation in our communities and our nation.The Tinner HIll Heritage Foundation does research into the history that has be lost, hidden, forgotten, and left out of our textbooks. Through our programs: Tinner Hill Music Festival; Giving Voice: Heritage Walking Tour; Dr. E. B. Henderson "Dear Editor" Contest, and others, we hope to resurrect the rich and vibrant past that existed in the African American communities of Falls Church, Fairfax County and Northern Virginia.