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Special Message, April 2020
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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT of HISTORIC RESOURCES
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*Message from DHR Director Julie Langan *Program Announcements
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Like all of you, the Department of Historic Resources has had to modify the way in which we work. The vast majority of DHR staff is teleworking and I am happy to report that all programs are “up and running” and there has been minimal impact to the services we provide. While DHR closed our offices to the public, we are still definitely open for business. DHR’s passionate and dedicated staff has really stepped up to develop new ways of achieving the Department’s mission in spite of the obstacles created by the pandemic. (Please see below for any special caveats to certain programs.)
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Many people have asked about the quarterly joint meeting scheduled for June of the State Review Board and Virginia Board of Historic Resources. DHR cannot convene board members remotely via the internet because our boards’ activities do not meet the “immediate need/irrevocable public harm” threshold set by the Governor’s stay-at-home directive. Until we know more about the duration of this crisis, we will not know for certain when the boards will be able to meet.
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One thing we do know for certain – as the Commonwealth rebuilds, preservation is going to be more relevant than ever before. This crisis has heightened our awareness of how essential our communities are to our mutual well-being. And we know that the rehabilitation of historic buildings will leverage private investment in our communities by helping put Virginians back to work.
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All of us at the Department look forward to the day when we can once again meet in person. In the meantime, we hope that you and your families remain healthy and safe.
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Julie V. Langan, Director, DHR
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Volunteers at work in the DHR Collections Room, 2013.
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Caraway points from DHR Collections.
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Notices About
Specific DHR Programs
Archaeology
DHR is not hosting visitors to the collections or the conservation lab at this time.
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We are handling on a case-by-case basis requests for loans of site collections or specific artifacts for research or exhibit purposes. If you have a question about a specific collection or artifact, please contact DHR Chief Curator, Laura Galke.
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If you have an artifact conservation question, please contact State Archaeological Conservator, Katherine Ridgway
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Given current travel restrictions, DHR is not performing routine site visits at this time. If you have a site question or concern please contact State Archaeologist, Dr. Elizabeth Moore or one of DHR's regional archaeologists:
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Bristol Hotel, in the City of Bristol, was the subject of a tax credit rehabilitation in 2014.
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Muddy Creek Mill in Cumberland Co. was placed under easement in 1989.
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Preservation Incentives
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Rehabilitation Tax Credit (RTC) Program:
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RTC staff continue to receive, process, and review hard copy applications.
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DHR easement staff continue to conduct project reviews as normally. Property owners with questions about the review process, or who seek a DHR review and approval of proposed changes to an easement property should email Megan Melinat, Easement Program Architect.
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Questions about the application and review process should be directed to Karri Richardson.
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The Armistead House in Williamsburg is one of the pending nominations from DHR cancelled March quarterly meeting.
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Historic Registers Program
The National Park Service, which oversees the National Register of Historic Places, had suspended accepting new National Register nominations until April 10, when the NPS issued special instructions for submitting nominations moving forward. Unless something unexpected happens, DHR expects to be able to send up a small number of new nominations and nomination updates.
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Please note that new nominations that DHR slated for presentation at the subsequently-cancelled quarterly board meeting in March will not be sent to the NPS. DHR will present those nominations to the Virginia Board of Historic Resources and the State Review Board at the next joint meeting of the boards, now pending. (Currently, the quarterly meeting is scheduled for June 18, but we know that is subject to change.)
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The Anthony Hockman House in Harrisonburg, from DHR's Color a Painted Lady coloring booklet (pdf). One of the many activities and resources we've compiled.
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DHR staff has compiled a webpage with online tools, activities, lesson plans, and other material for parents, teachers, students, and anyone seeking engaging content about Virginia history, archaeology, and architecture or other specific aspects of our cultural heritage.
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If you have suggestions for additional content that DHR may want to consider adding, please contact Randy Jones, DHR, Public Information Officer. We update the page regularly.
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And as a reminder from our Spring Newsletter; also, we've extended the deadline to Friday, June 26, 5 p.m.:
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Image shows landfalls of Hurricanes Florence and Michael in September and October of 2018.
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RFAs for Post-Storm Disaster Grants from Hurricanes Florence and Michael
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The National Park Service has awarded DHR more than $4.7 million in funding to provide recovery assistance to historic properties including archaeological sites damaged by hurricanes Florence and/or Michael in September and October 2018 that are listed or are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Historic properties in 52 counties and cities in Virginia are eligible for the federal grants. Read more. . .
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Other Announcements:
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Certified Local Government (CLG)
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DHR has issued a Request for Applications for 2020-2021 grants to be made available through the CLG program. DHR has extended the deadline for applications to Friday, May 1, 2020. DHR is monitoring the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and may have to alter the application schedule. Please direct all questions about the CLG grant opportunity to Aubrey Von Lindern at (540) 868-7029 or by email.
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DHR also has issued a Request for Applications for 2020-2021 grants to be made available through the Cost Share Program. DHR has extended the deadline for applications to Friday, May 1, 2020. DHR is monitoring the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and may have to alter the application schedule. Please direct all questions about the Cost Share grant opportunity to Blake McDonald at 804-482-6086 or by email.
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