Portsmouth Renamed Park for Charles B. Whitehurst Sr.

The City Council voted to rename Eighth and Jefferson Park to honor the legacy of the late city official.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in African-American

Portsmouth Renamed Park for Charles B. Whitehurst Sr.

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Portsmouth officials have officially renamed Eighth and Jefferson Park to Charles B. Whitehurst Sr. Park. The decision follows a decade-long advocacy effort by the Whitehurst family to recognize the former public servant.

Why it matters

The renaming serves as a long-awaited tribute to Charles B. Whitehurst Sr., whose decades of local government service shaped city operations. Supporters successfully navigated the proposal through the City Council after previous efforts to honor his contributions.

The city estimates the cost for the new park signage will be between $5,500 and $6,500. This follows the approval of a proposal supported by the Madison Ward and Mount Hermon civic leagues.

The players

Charles B. Whitehurst Sr.

He was a dedicated Portsmouth public official who served as city treasurer and a city council member.

Vernon Tillage Jr.

He is a current Portsmouth City Council member who proposed the park renaming as a tribute to Whitehurst.

Jaris Whitehurst Roberts

She is the 80-year-old sister of the late Charles B. Whitehurst Sr. who participated in the advocacy efforts.

The details

City Council member Vernon Tillage Jr. championed the initiative, recommending a park designation over other public infrastructure options. The move concludes a ten-year advocacy campaign spearheaded by family members to cement Whitehurst's history in the city.

Charles B. Whitehurst Sr. served as city treasurer from 1985 through 1993.
He served on the Portsmouth City Council from 1998 to 2012.
Whitehurst passed away in 2016 at the age of 78.
The family presented their advocacy request at a council meeting in 2025.
The Portsmouth City Council voted to approve the renaming in October 2026.

Culture Shift

This renaming follows the precedent of using public municipal spaces to honor local civil servants. It reflects a shift toward preserving legacy through community-led efforts to name neighborhood landmarks after prominent figures.

Residents should expect to see updated signage at the location formerly known as Eighth and Jefferson Park in the coming months. The change serves to preserve local history while maintaining the site as a functional public space for the community.

The takeaway

Naming public parks after former officials provides a lasting way to connect modern residents with local history. It highlights how persistent advocacy from family and civic leagues can directly shape a city's public landscape.