Virginia Department of Historic Resources

Virginia Department of Historic Resources. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources is the Commonwealth of Virginia's official historic preservation agency. Established in 1966, it is responsible for identifying, evaluating, registering, and protecting the state's significant historic and archaeological resources. The agency works in partnership with federal entities like the National Park Service and local governments to administer programs such as the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.

History

The agency traces its origins to the creation of the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission in 1966, a direct response to the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act that same year. This landmark federal legislation established the framework for state-level preservation programs across the United States. In 1985, the commission was reorganized and renamed the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, expanding its scope and formalizing its role within the state government. Key early projects included the survey of historic resources in areas like Williamsburg and the documentation of American Civil War battlefields. The department has played a critical role in major preservation efforts, including the rehabilitation of the Colonial Williamsburg historic area and the establishment of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District.

Organization and functions

The department is led by a director, currently Julie V. Langan, and operates under the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources within the executive branch of Virginia's government. Its core functions are carried out by several specialized divisions, including the Division of State Review, the Division of Historic Preservation Grants, and the Division of State Archaeology. The agency reviews projects involving federal and state assistance, licenses, or permits for impacts on historic properties under laws like the National Historic Preservation Act and the Virginia Antiquities Act. It also administers state and federal historic preservation tax credit programs, provides technical assistance to local governments and property owners, and oversees the curation of the state's archaeological collections at the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

Virginia Landmarks Register

The Virginia Landmarks Register is the official state list of properties significant in Virginia's history, architecture, archaeology, and culture. Maintained by the department, it serves as the commonwealth's nomination vehicle for the National Register of Historic Places. Properties listed range from individual buildings like Monticello and Mount Vernon to historic districts such as Alexandria's Old Town and archaeological sites like the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The register includes diverse property types, including Jamestown settlement sites, Appalachian farmsteads, and landmarks associated with figures like George Washington and Booker T. Washington. Listing provides recognition and can make properties eligible for financial incentives, including state historic preservation tax credits.

Virginia Cultural Resource Information System (VCRIS)

The Virginia Cultural Resource Information System is the department's comprehensive online database and geographic information system for historic resources. VCRIS provides public access to information on over 150,000 recorded archaeological sites, historic buildings, structures, and districts across the Commonwealth of Virginia. The system integrates data from the Virginia Landmarks Register, the National Register of Historic Places, and statewide architectural and archaeological surveys. It is an essential tool for planners, researchers, developers, and the public, facilitating reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act and aiding in the management of resources in regions like the Shenandoah Valley and the Hampton Roads area.

Publications and outreach

The department produces a wide array of publications to disseminate research and promote preservation. Its flagship periodical, Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, is published in partnership with the Virginia Historical Society. Other notable publications include the Archaeological Society of Virginia Quarterly Bulletin and thematic studies on topics such as African American history and Virginia Indian tribes. Outreach efforts include educational programs, workshops, and the annual Preservation Virginia conference. The agency also maintains the state's historical highway marker program, erecting iconic silver-and-black markers that commemorate events, individuals, and places, from the Battle of Yorktown to the birthplace of Ella Fitzgerald in Newport News. Category:State agencies of Virginia Category:Historic preservation organizations in Virginia Category:1966 establishments in Virginia