Tom Butt

Architect, Recovered Politician, Historic Preservationist and Author

This web page started as a political campaign resource in the early 1990s. After 28 years on the Richmond City Council and eight years as elected mayor, I termed out in 2023, having served longer continuously than anyone in Richmond history. I have now reverted full-time to the architectural profession.

I started the blog TOM BUTT E-FORUM in 2000 to fill in the gaps and misinformation from traditional journalism. Although I have transitioned away from the predominantly community and political content , I have continued the E-FORUM, and the Archives are probably the best resource available for Richmond political history 2000 – 2023.

Latest E-FORUM Articles

From Email: Come On Over for Breakfast on Sunday!

Another way to celebrate Richmond’s birthday.   Enjoy Breakfast and Live Music on Red Oak Victory!   Your Pancakes will be ready in Three Days! The Red Oak Victory Summer Pancake Breakfast is this weekend on Sunday, August 10! 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Dear...

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From Email: Richmond’s 120th Birthday, August 7, 2025

The City of Richmond turns 120 years old today. There are many ways to celebrate.   Richmond’s oldest building is East Brother Lighthouse is 151 years old this year, 31 years older than the City of Richmond. Help save East Brother by making a birthday...

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From Email: August 10th music gathering

From Steve Seskin:   Hi there,   I’m sorry for the late reminder. Things have been pretty busy. I’m at a folk festival in Colorado as I write this. I’ll be home on Friday and on Sunday we will have our 2nd Sunday of the month free music gathering featuring...

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From Email: When Did the Manhattan Project Actually Begin?

I discovered the newspaper article below, “Scientists Doing Secret Defense Work,” on the back of an article on a different subject in some family letters   It was only in 1938 that German physicists Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassman discovered nuclear...

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