Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Arlington County, Killgo’s artistic practice explores the complex narratives of changing neighborhoods, with a particular focus on gentrification, displacement, and community resilience. Drawing on personal experience and deep engagement with diverse communities, his work captures the lived realities of the African-American community and other voices often marginalized in discussions about urban change.

The bell—which started ringing in 1893 when the Hume School opened--was produced by the oldest bell foundry in the country, the McShane Bell Foundry of Baltimore. Founded in 1856, McShane has produced more than 300,000 bells for churches, municipal buildings, and schools all over the world.

It became increasingly clear that the form of government originally prescribed by the Virginia Constitution of 1902 was not meeting the needs of those counties which were gradually becoming more urbanized. In its original form, the 1902 Constitution set up a rigid system of county organization and government, and the General Assembly was powerless to comply with the demands of the leaders of Arlington for an improved system.