Virginia Landmarks Register

Virginia Landmarks Register. It is the official state list of properties of historical, architectural, archaeological, and cultural significance. Established in 1966, the register is administered by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and serves as a critical tool for historic preservation across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Listing recognizes a property's importance to the heritage of Virginia and often serves as a precursor to nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

History and establishment

The register was created by the Virginia General Assembly through legislation, emerging during a national wave of preservation awareness following the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. This state-level initiative was designed to identify and protect resources significant to Virginia's history, complementing federal efforts. The program's early years focused on surveying and documenting historic resources across the state's diverse regions, from the Tidewater to the Appalachian Mountains. Key early listings included pivotal sites from the colonial era, the American Revolution, and the American Civil War.

Criteria and designation process

Properties must meet specific criteria related to their association with significant events, persons, architectural merit, or archaeological potential. The process typically begins with a formal nomination prepared by property owners, local governments, historical societies, or staff from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. This nomination is reviewed by the state's Board of Historic Resources, a governor-appointed body, which votes on the proposed designation. A successful listing requires the property to retain integrity of location, design, setting, materials, and association. Notable examples of reviewed properties include estates like Stratford Hall and battlefields such as those at Manassas National Battlefield Park.

Listed property types and examples

The register encompasses a vast array of property types, including residential, commercial, agricultural, and institutional buildings, as well as historic districts, archaeological sites, and structures. Architectural examples range from Georgian mansions like Shirley Plantation to Victorian neighborhoods in Richmond and Art Deco buildings in Norfolk. Historic districts preserve entire communities, such as Old Town Alexandria and the William & Mary campus in Williamsburg. Archaeological listings protect sites like the early Jamestown settlement and prehistoric Native American villages.

Relationship with other registers

Listing is often the first step toward nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, as most Virginia properties must first be listed on the state register. However, the two registers have distinct governing bodies, with the national program overseen by the National Park Service. The register also works in concert with local preservation ordinances in cities like Charlottesville and Fredericksburg, which may have their own historic registers and commissions. This layered system creates a comprehensive framework for protection, involving entities like the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and various regional planning districts.

Management and oversight

Primary management and oversight are the responsibility of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, an agency within the state's executive branch. The department's staff, including historians, archaeologists, and architectural historians, conduct surveys, maintain the official database, and provide technical assistance to property owners. The Board of Historic Resources sets policy and makes final listing decisions, while the State Review Board evaluates nominations for the National Register of Historic Places. Funding and support often involve partnerships with organizations like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and local entities such as the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.

Category:Historic site registers in the United States Category:Virginia culture Category:History of Virginia Category:1966 establishments in Virginia