As previously recorded in prior reports, the Commonwealth continues to face obstacles in maintaining and utilizing its diverse and fragile historic resources.

State agencies still cite funding as the primary obstacle in maintaining their historic properties, and many state agencies do not have in-house professional preservation staff and are unaware that DHR is available 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 in addition to, and outside of, the formal review process. Consultation early in the planning process, prior to decisions being made, is the preferred time to engage with DHR. DHR is committed to more effective communication with agencies so that they can better understand the preservation opportunities and resources that are available to them.

As this report illustrates, there was a marked increase in efforts by many state agencies to embrace their responsibilities as stewards of historic properties. For inspiration, make certain to read this report’s section entitled, Models of Exemplary Stewardship.

While the Commonwealth is still unlikely to be in a position to pursue all of the recommendations laid out in this stewardship report; nonetheless, we encourage state agencies to continue to engage with DHR on the 2017 Executive Order Number 64, 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;

• Proactively 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 the Code of Virginia § 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 ninth biennial report affirms that:

• The Commonwealth’s real estate holdings include a rich and diverse collection of historically significant properties, some of which hold 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, immigrants, women and, LGBTQ+ persons. This should be addressed through strategic additions to the Virginia Landmarks Register.

• DHR’s existing inventory and assessment of historic state-owned properties is out of date, limiting its use and impeding DHR’s ability to administer its own programs and assist other state agencies.

Additionally, the lack of updated information makes it difficult for those agencies to fully understand and take into account the historic resources in their control.

• DHR continues to work collaboratively with the Fort Monroe Authority (FMA), the National Park Service (NPS), and other stakeholders on major ongoing and future projects at Fort Monroe, such as the redevelopment of the Marina and proposed First African Landing memorial. Over the last year DHR has worked closely with FMA and NPS to identify functionally related buildings and precincts at Fort Monroe so current and future developers can more easily utilize federal and state historic preservation tax credits on large-scale rehabilitation projects. FMA continues to experience difficulties maintaining its aging infrastructure. Since the last Stewardship Report, there have been a number of waterline ruptures that have required repair and consultation with DHR.

• 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, which are effective tools for educating the public about Virginia’s history and promoting tourism.

• State agencies should seek goals of meeting energy efficiency and sustainability 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 institutions of higher education with cemeteries on their properties address the treatment of these historic burial grounds and reach out to DHR regarding our recommendation standards.

• DHR continues to support Executive Order 24 (2018), which lays out a cross-agency effort to increase statewide resilience to natural hazards and extreme weather. DHR initiatives have included:

o Creating GIS layers to assess state-owned historic resources that will be impacted by sea-level rise; and

o Assessing the impacts of sea-level rise and extreme weather on historic resources and providing state agencies guidance in proactive planning for these resources.