Association For The Preservation Of Virginia Antiquities

Programs: Statewide preservationhistory & mission: the association for the preservation of virginia antiquities d/b/a preservation virginia, a private non-profit organization and statewide historic preservation leader founded in 1889, is dedicated to perpetuating virginia's cultural, architectural and historic heritage, revitalizing virginia's communities, and ensuring that historic places are integral parts of the lives of present and future generations. In pursuing and achieving this mission, we ensure the vitality of virginia's distinctive heritage, resulting in cultural, economic and educational benefits for the public. We achieve our mission by providing leadership, expertise, influence, policy, programs and services to the public and special audiences, and by partnering with all levels of government, as well as other nonprofit and educational institutions. Vision statement: we envision a virginia recognized regionally, nationally and internationally for preserving and promoting its distinctive historic structures, landscapes, collections, communities and archaeological sites - guided by the expert leadership, stewardship and advocacy of preservation virginia. Statewide programs and services: preservation virginia's strategic plan has three basic goals - 1) supporting the preservation of historic places through partnership; 2) developing a strong preservation ethic by promoting the value of historic preservation through programs and places; 3) ensuring that the organization is capable and financially sustainable by organizing for success and attracting new members and supporters. Preservation virginia is achieving those goals through its programs and services and by being a leading dialogue with local communities about the economic and cultural values historic preservation provides. Heritage tourism - preservation virginia provides interpretive and educational programs at properties stretching from the eastern shore and tidewater area to the early frontier of the blue ridge mountains. We provide on-site programming at historic jamestowne, scotchtown, the hanover county home of patrick henry, revolutionary spokesman and first virginia governor; the home of chief justice john marshall in richmond; historic commercial buildings such as the rising sun tavern in fredericksburg and the farmer's bank of petersburg; bacon's castle, virginia's oldest datable brick residence in surry; and the old cape henry lighthouse, the first federal public works project under president washington, in virginia beach. Of the current properties, six are designated as national historic landmarks and other are virginia or national register properties. Sharing resources - along with interpretive programs, preservation virginia is expanding educational offerings to include programs for preservation/museum professionals, as well as owners of historic properties. Preservation virginia provides technical assistance to individuals and community groups about materials, techniques and strategies to ensure the preservation of historic structures and neighborhoods. We sponsor workshops and conferences. The partners in the field program have established a position based in danville. This field representative helps local communities develop strategies and coalitions to ward off threats to historic structures, sites and neighborhoods. Organization: governed by a volunteer board of trustees, preservation virginia is managed by a professional staff based in richmond, at historic jamestowne, and in danville. Preservation virginia has almost 3000 member households across the commonwealth of virginia and the nation. In addition, hundreds of volunteers help support properties and educational programs in their communities and on behalf of preservation virginia. Economic & educational benefits: last year nearly 550,000 individuals participated in preservation virginia programs across virginia. This provides economic benefits by supporting virginia's heritage tourism industry and promoting historic preservation benefits as an economic driver. A growing statewide education initiative is reaching tens of thousands of virginia students. Preservation virginia is expanding its educational program to target primary and secondary students as well as specific programs for graduate students and lifelong learners. Revolving fund: in 1999, recognizing preservation virginia's special expertise, the general assembly voted to transfer the virginia historic properties revolving fund to preservation virginia expanding our efforts to protect and preserve publicly significant historic properties through acquisition and resale. Since then, preservation virginia has been involved in saving 60 historic properties, preserving this historic fabric of communities and returning these structures to a viable economic resource.

historic jamestownethe first permanent english settlement in north america was at jamestown, virginia. Preservation virginia has preserved and interpreted this site since 1893. In 1994, preservation virginia began jamestown rediscovery, an archaeoligical project that would find if any remains of the 1607 james fort were still in existance. In anticipation of the 400th anniversary of jamestown's founding in 2007, preservation virginia and the national parks service (co-stewards of historic jamestowne since the 1930s) created programs and resources to share more about this important historic site, and its legacy on our modern world. This includes ongoing research, museum and educational facilities, exhibits, and on-line resources. These create a lasting legacy for 2007 and generations to come. Following are key projects at historic jamestowne. Public and educational programs: given the enormous appeal and global demand, historic jamestowne will expand its public programs to include: the ongoing jamestown rediscovery archaeological excavation and collections research; the field school; extensive forensic, genealogical and biographical research on the settlers and their families; ongoing publications; documentaries and films; tour programs; educational programs for primary and secondary students and teacher training institutes; resources for graduate students and lifelong learners. Endowment for the future: creating the right legacy for historic jamestowne remains the primary objective of all those involved in implementing the master plan. Sustaining the legacy in the future is every bit as crucial for future generations. Historic jamestowne will require both general and specific endowment funds.