Putting Virginia's History to Work - 2010-2015: Virginia's Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan

Executive Summary: "In this second revision of Virginia's statewide historic preservation plan, we build on the foundation of public participation and accomplishment of more than a dozen years of working with Virginia's citizens, communities, and institutions to ensure that our rich historic heritage continues to serve as assets to the entire Commonwealth. The first plan adopted by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, entitled 'Virginia's Heritage: the Nation's Treasure, the Commonwealth's Trust', grew out of an extensive public participation campaign and responded to false impressions of historic preservation as a block to economic development. The second plan, 'Putting Virginia's History to Work', grew out of the Virginia History Imitative, which focused attention on state agency stewardship, history and preservation education, and community-based preservation advocacy. In this third version, we re-examine the issues that drive historic preservation in Virginia, celebrate the very real accomplishments for Virginia preservation since 2001 and recommit ourselves to the core goals that underlie those successes. Today we are in a rapidly changing world. Even the most challenging issues of one year, may be very different only a short year later. This holds true for public and private sections, museums and historic attractions, private home and business owners, and the public agencies that serve them. In this context, the department continues to reinvent itself - sticking to core principles of 'identify, evaluate, recognize, and protect,' principles of stewardship and responsibility, while also emphasizing the importance of finding flexible and creative ways to ensure historic buildings and sites play a viable role in 21st century communities. Beyond that commitment, all stakeholders in Virginia's rich historic resources are encouraged to embrace these goals as the broad foundation of public and private action. Goals: 1) Integrate historic resources as a viable part of the environmental for communities, organizations, and agencies at all levels well into the future; 2) Practice good stewardship of historic resources; and 3) Get the word out about the value of historic resources in Virginia's educational, economic, and civic success and the available tools to put resources to work. All Virginians have a vested interest in sustaining the future of the Commonwealth and are encouraged to join in the effort. Museums and historic attractions not only interpret Virginia and national history, they serve as examples for the contribution that historic places and education make to Virginia's future. Citizens and organizational partners that recognize the important economic, educational, social, and cultural roles that historic resources play in communities are encouraged to join in sharing that message. Elected leaders, businesses, government agencies, educators, property owners, non-profit institutions, and concerned individuals are invited to join together in preserving and using Virginia's historic treasures to educate our children and build vital communities all across the Commonwealth." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Putting Virginia's History to Work - 2010-2015: Virginia's Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan

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