Since the last biennial report the Commonwealth has again struggled in its efforts to maintain and utilize its diverse, fragile historic resources as economic strain and budget reductions have continued. State agencies most often cite funding as the primary obstacle in maintaining their historic properties.

Many state agencies do not have in-house professional preservation staff and are unaware that DHR is here to assist them. The Department is primarily contacted within the context of a required review process, yet the architectural historians, archaeologists, and other preservation professionals at DHR welcome opportunities to work with sister agencies. Early consultation is always best, as agencies make decisions that impact the historic properties in their control. DHR is committed to more effective communication with agencies so that these preservation opportunities are better understood.

There is good news to report in the last biennium. There was a definite increase in efforts by many state agencies to embrace their responsibilities as stewards of historic properties, as will be evident in this report section entitled Models of Exemplary Stewardship.

This year was distinguished by the centennial of World War I. The Commonwealth held an Armistice Day Festival this last Veteran’s Day and revealed the newly renovated Carillon. The renovation is truly a testament of the Commonwealth’s commitment to remember those who fought in World War I, in which roughly 3,700 Virginians lost their lives, and honor all who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

The Commonwealth is still unlikely to be in a financial position to pursue all of the recommendations laid out in this stewardship report; however, we encourage state agencies to continue to engage with DHR on the 2017 Executive Order which specifies:

• Pursuing listing on the Virginia Landmarks Register (VLR) of historically significant properties;

• Using the state’s highway marker program to help educate the public about Virginia’s rich history and promote tourism in the Commonwealth;

• Preparing and implementing treatment plans, historic structure reports, and preservation master plans to guide stewardship of historic properties;

• Exploring long term leases and resident curator agreements for vacant state-owned historic buildings or other structures to leverage private investment in the rehabilitation and maintenance of under-utilized resources;

• Pro-actively pursuing energy efficiency measures and addressing deferred maintenance backlogs as outlined in Executive Order No. 31, with the goal of preservation and conservation;

• Working with DHR and the DGS to consider purchasing or leasing historic buildings and adapting them for reuse prior to acquiring, constructing, or leasing additional buildings (as is feasible); and

• Designating one staff member as an agency preservation officer to serve as a liaison with DHR and to coordinate the stewardship activities of the agency under this order, applicable statutes, and other provisions.

• In addition to the content mandated by Senate Bill 462 adding § 10.1-2202.3, this report includes sections on DHR’s own initiatives to promote stewardship as well as case studies of exemplary state stewardship by other agencies.

This seventh biennial report affirms that:

• The Commonwealth’s real estate holdings include a rich and diverse collection of historically significant properties, some of national and international importance.

• The Commonwealth as a whole benefits when leaders understand that preservation makes good environmental sense as well as good economic sense and is integral to conserving energy. This understanding on the part of state agencies promotes an ethic of stewardship.

• Certain types of state-owned historic properties are under-represented on the Virginia Landmarks Register, especially those related to institutions of higher education, the history of African Americans, Virginia Indians, women and LGBTQ+ history. This should be addressed through strategic additions to the Virginia Landmarks Register.

• The seat of state government—the area surrounding the State Capitol—includes buildings that together contribute to a tangible identity of state government. It is appropriate that, as a collection, this historic district be documented and honored through inclusion on the Virginia Landmarks Register.

• DHR’s existing inventory and assessment of historic state-owned properties is so out of date as to be of limited use. The inadequacy of the information impedes DHR’s ability to administer its own programs, assist other state agencies, and for those agencies to fully understand and take into account the historic resources in their control.

• The transfer of portions of Fort Monroe to the National Park Service for use as a designated National Monument and the continued management and sustainable redevelopment of this nationally-significant property by the Fort Monroe Authority must remain one of the Commonwealth’s most important stewardship priorities.

• Institutions of higher education need to model better stewardship by taking their historic resources into account when preparing master plans and should celebrate their register-eligible properties through listing on the Virginia Landmarks Register and/or state highway markers, both of which are effective tools for educating the public about Virginia’s rich history and promotion of tourism.

• State agencies should seek meeting energy efficiency and sustainability goals through best-preservation practices. Despite assumptions to the contrary, stewardship is very often the most cost-effective investment of scarce resources. At a time when we all must make every dollar count, the act of reinvesting and recycling our historic buildings is both environmentally sustainable and economically prudent. More information can be found by downloading the following PowerPoint on Sustainable Design & Historic Preservation, prepared by DHR. Or visit DHR’s webpage Best Practices Stewardship of State-Owned Historic Property and scroll down to information about Green Preservation.

• There are thousands of acres under Commonwealth ownership that contain both known and unknown cemeteries. Each cemetery is a unique resource and each contains the mortal remains of human beings that should be treated with honor and care. It is important that state agencies and institutes of higher education with cemeteries on their properties address the treatment of these historic cemeteries and reach out to DHR regarding our recommendation standards (see pgs. 11–17, Cemeteries on State-Owned Lands).

• DHR will support Governor Ralph Northam in a cross-agency effort to increase statewide resilience to natural hazards and extreme weather, as laid out in Executive Order 24 (2018). DHR initiatives include:

*Participating in a regional analysis of coastal risk (organized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division) to identify measures to address cultural resources vulnerabilities from impending sea-level rise and study strategies for coastal risk reduction; and

*Creating GIS layers to assess state-owned historic resources that will be impacted by sea-level rise.

*DHR also will continue to assess the impacts of sea-level rise and extreme weather on historic resources and providing state agencies guidance in proactive planning for these resources.