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Joanna McKnight, Easter Region Architectural Historian, Virginia Department of Historic Resources

Sarah Clarke, Architectural Historian, Hurt & Proffitt

Melissa Schmidt, Architectural Historian, Hurt & Proffitt

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Wachapreague Historic District Project

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The Virginia Department of Historic Resources is the State Historic Preservation Office. 

�Our mission is to foster, encourage, and support the stewardship of Virginia's significant historic architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources.

VA Department of Historic Resources

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Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits

Virginia Landmarks Register & National Register of Historic Places

Historical Highway Markers

DHR Programs

VA Department of Historic Resources

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  • Documentation of historic resources through architectural and archaeological survey supports all DHR programs.
  • Survey records support state and local preservation planning by identifying where historically significant resources are located.
  • Survey is an integral part of listing a historic district on the National Register.

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Documenting Historic Resources

Historic Resource Survey in Westmoreland County

VA Department of Historic Resources

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Virginia Landmarks Register & National Register of Historic Places

  • VLR created in 1965 as state’s official list of places of historic, architectural, archaeological and/or cultural significance
  • NRHP created in 1966 as nation's official list of structures, sites, objects, and districts that embody the historical and cultural foundations of the United States
  • Includes buildings, structures, objects, districts, and sites
  • Both registers managed by DHR
  • Strictly honorary and does not bestow requirements
  • Registered properties eligible for incentives

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Zion Union Baptist Church

Bluefield Commercial Historic District

Kernstown Battlefield Historic District

Lynchburg Sta-Kleen Bakery

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Cost Share Survey & Planning Program

  • DHR funds to support locality-driven preservation planning projects.
  • Locality applies to program and provides partial project funding, DHR provides additional funding and administrative support.
  • Projects often consist of historic resources surveys and/or National Register of Historic Places nominations.

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  • 2015: Initial survey documentation of potential historic district during DHR-funded Hurricane Sandy survey of Eastern Shore.
  • 2021: DHR staff worked with town to develop Preliminary Information Form for historic district, the first step towards National Register listing.
  • 2022: Cost Share Survey & Planning Grant awarded to survey 50 historic properties in historic district.
  • Current Project: Complete survey of ALL properties in historic district and complete documentation packet to list district on the VLR and NRHP.

Project Background

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VA Department of Historic Resources

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  • Documentation supports local preservation planning activities and provides copyright free content for heritage tourism development.
  • Property survey records can be used to obtain FEMA funding or make insurance claims after a disaster.
  • Resources contributing to the historic significance of the district are eligible for state and Federal preservation grants.
  • Listing does NOT introduce any new restrictions or requirements and does not increase property taxes.

Benefits of NRHP Listing

VA Department of Historic Resources

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  • November: Architectural survey of remaining properties within historic district over coming days. Boundary will be finalized through survey process. 
  • March: Draft National Register of Historic Places packet due to DHR for staff review in the spring.
  • May: Draft National Register of Historic Places packet available for public review online ahead of legally required public meeting in Wachapreague.
  • June: Final National Register of Historic Places packet goes before DHR Board for approval and submission to National Park Service.

Next Steps

VA Department of Historic Resources

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Thank you!

Joanna McKnight, Eastern Region Architectural Historian, DHR

Joanna.McKnight@DHR.Virginia.gov

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Sarah Clarke, Architectural Historian, Hurt & Proffitt

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Melissa Schmidt, Architectural Historian, Hurt & Proffitt

mschmidt@handp.com 

VA Department of Historic Resources