The Market Square Redevelopment Commission was formed in 1988 in cooperation with the City of Fredericksburg to provide advisory and managerial expertise to guide the project.
The City had purchased the northern half of Market Square in 1987 from the school district in an effort to preserve it and return it to the people of Fredericksburg for their use and enjoyment.
From the very beginning, John O. Meusebach, founder of Fredericksburg, had a vision for this land.
“Meusebach inquired whether the park he laid out in the center of town was being enjoyed. Nimitz answered that it was a gathering place where people took time to visit. Friends often lingered there. Plans were in the making to have band concerts in the park. Children enjoyed playing there, Nimitz reported, and mothers often designated it as a place to meet with their children. All of this pleased Meusebach, for he felt the colonists deserved everything which added to their pleasure. One can believe he hoped this area surrounding the Vereins Kirche would be kept as a place which invited communication and private reflection and that commercial use would not intrude upon its quiet beauty.”
Taken from a conversation between John O. Meusebach, founder of Fredericksburg, and Charles Henry Nimitz, owner of the Nimitz Hotel in the 1880s.
Since the 1990s, many improvements have been made to Marktplatz. These include:
- Three pavilions: Adelsverein Halle, Oktoberfest Halle, Kinder Halle
- Meeting Rooms
- Fest Room (Fest Zimmer)
- John Klein Meeting Room
- Children’s playground (Kinderplatz)
- Catering Kitchen: (Die Küche)
- Outdoor tables and benches
- Vereins Kirche ADA accessibility
- Landscaping and hardscape
- History garden improvements
- Restroom facilities
- Peace Treaty bronze
- Festive tree lighting
