In honor of the United States 250th anniversary on July 4th, 2026, OSI will establish The Opportunity Center for Cultural & Historical Preservation. Across our country, from large cities to small towns, there are cultural sites, properties, artifacts, buildings, etc. that are at serious risk of deterioration. Historic properties are being redeveloped for other purposes which also risk losing the historical context if left in the wrong hands.
We will tell the story of America’s past, and this heritage will serve as educational tools for generations to come.
The Opportunity Center for Cultural & Historical Preservation will restore, preserve, and operate historical structures as educational community institutions centered on providing a historical lifeline for visitors and youth. The Opportunity Center will develop educational content with a mission to advance historical preservation, such as books for libraries, audio books, educational documentaries, and true access to historical resources from all walks of life.
[America’s 250 Years of Opportunity Campaign]
The Opportunity Center for Cultural & Historical Preservation is proud to announce that we have secured our first historical preservation project, a historical Church dating back to the 1800s.
O Street International started this journey in 2025 and we have made significant progress during a “quiet phase” and raised over $100,000 thanks to a generous gift from our founders, board members, and committed individual donors. All funds from the “America 250 Years of Opportunity Campaign” will be used solely for the launch of a multi-million-dollar capital campaign – national kick off documentary and restoration of a small cottage behind the Church which will be the headquarters for The Opportunity Center for Cultural & Historical Preservation.
Giving to the Opportunity Center for Cultural & Historical Preservation is a meaningful donation for our future and saving a historical Virginia landmark.
If you have any questions, and or are interested in Naming Opportunities, please contact us at
The First Baptist Church of Bluemont was established in 1888 by a small, yet mighty community of black people, some who were free and recently freed slaves in the mountains just outside the center of Bluemont, Virginia. In 1929, this community Church was built on the mountain and was the single most important structure in the community. As congregants moved to flat lands in Bluemont, particularly a historically African American community called Murphy’s Corner, this made it complex and dangerous for the aging members to make it up the mountain.
The First Baptist Church of Bluemont, Virginia is a historical jewel and an outstanding example of the light of faith which remains steadfast and unmovable today. Established in 1888 on the mountains just outside of the village of Bluemont, a small yet mighty black community, comprised of some who were free; many who were recently freed slaves joined together to plant the cornerstone of their community. Church members worshiped in homes, at the Bluemont Colored School, and in 1929, The First Baptist Church was built with American might on top of the mountain slope. Decades later, as congregants moved to flat lands in Bluemont, this made it challenging and dangerous for the aging members to travel up the mountain.
Relocating the Church was the goal and as always, faith prevails.
In 1946, the community joined together, dismantled the wooden Church and relocated the entire structure from the mountain to Murphy’s Corner, and the Church was and remains a crown jewel of the Bluemont community. Moving the Church from the mountain was not easy, yet this was a profound testimony of God’s destiny and was spoken so powerfully by Jesus Christ to his disciples:
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” (Matthew 17:20)
Today, The First Baptist Church of Bluemont remains standing, yet needs a full restoration to preserve a piece of American history. Our “Little Church” of Bluemont Capital Campaign goal is to preserve every part of the 1888 First Baptist Church of Bluemont and during the process, adaptively reuse the mid-1900s cottage behind the church to establish collaborative workspaces for the O Street International (OSI) Opportunity Center for Cultural & Historical Preservation.
Our campaign has three primary goals:
Through your generosity the Opportunity Center for Cultural & Historical Preservation is an opportunity to restore a historical piece of Bluemont, Virginia – a alter established in 1888 to praise the Lord and serve others.
Through our research and consulting with historic restorationist, we expect the rehabilitation of the Church, and the Ms. Marie Scott cottage will be a multi-year phased process at a cost of approximately $2,000,000.
Referred to many as the “Little Church”, First Baptist Church of Bluemont has served as a symbol of unity, strength, and community for over 138 years. When unserved students needed a place to learn or practice music, the Church was their haven. Today, more than ever, we owe it to generations past and generations to come a restored piece of history that will offer global educational, unique arts resources for people of all walks of life, from young children to adults, from military veterans to historical scholars. Most importantly, the Opportunity Center for Cultural & Historical Preservation is positioned to be a nationally and globally recognized center for Cultural & Historic Diplomacy – a practice we specialize in which is guided by the values of inclusivity, collaboration, and cultural understanding as we strive to create a world where every individual has access to the opportunities that allow us to reach our full potential and contribute to a brighter future for all.
The village town of Bluemont, Virginia was established around the 1760s and was first named Snickers’ Gap. What started as a small village on the eastern pikes and valleys of the Blue Ridge mountains in the western part of Loudoun County, remains a small independent village town today – welcoming thousands of visitors each year to experience historical & cultural preservation, farm establishments, and the massive productivity when we work together to save and protect our history.
OSI is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming lives through our innovative programs, which stand at the intersection of culture, positive dialogue, education, and the Military Family.
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