The Falls Church Historical Commission is hoping to create buzz around the concept of a new city flag.
Commission members last year recommended that city leaders consider a change to the current flag, which shows the city seal featuring the historic Falls Church, from which the city takes its name.
Though a landmark, the church “has not been the center of city life for more than a century,” commission members said in a June 2025 memo to City Council members.
“Redesigning the city flag would give the city an opportunity to promote itself around the city and establish a new symbol for the city to use in situations where current city symbols fall short,” the 2025 request noted. “Further, a new flag could give the city a symbol which emphasizes more of the city’s history and culture.”
The proposal did not gain traction a year ago. But at the commission’s July 30 meeting, it came up again.
Council members “may be more amenable now,” commission member Alexander Mericola said.
He referenced a recent conversation with a Council member, which he said gave him reason for optimism.
With a new city manager on the horizon, changing flag designs probably will not be near the top of the Council’s to-do list in the coming months. But it is something the commission may continue advocating for, said Cameron Gahres, a city planner who serves as liaison to the Housing Committee.
“It’s worth bringing up again,” Gahres said.
At the meeting, Mericola said the commission should “prepare a little bit more of a plan” to help Council members move forward with a potential redesign.
Arlington officials in 2022 approved a new county flag, replacing a rendition of the Custis-Lee Mansion with a stylized image of the county’s geographical boundaries that drew mixed reviews.
Also at the July 30 meeting, Historical Commission members discussed the possibility of a museum space as part of the planned redevelopment of the Virginia Village site. The facility potentially could salute the history of the Tinner Hill community, located adjacent to the Virginia Village parcel.
Photo via City of Falls Church/Facebook
