Protecting Virginia's Historic Landmarks

Virginia’s historic landmarks are irreplaceable resources of the Commonwealth. These landmarks are the tangible reminders of the state’s rich history and traditions. Our historic buildings, neighborhoods, landscapes, and sites are essential to Virginia’s special identity and enhance the lives of both our citizens and our countless visitors. While many famous places have had their futures secured through conversion to museums or other types of public amenities, most of Virginia’s landmarks remain in private ownership and thus are vulnerable to loss or destructive change. Each year sees further erosion of the state’s historic character through demolitions, neglect, suburban sprawl, highway construction, and other forms of modern development.

Although change is inevitable, many owners of historic landmarks are concerned about the future of their properties and want to ensure the proper stewardship of these resources beyond their tenure. To meet this need, the Commonwealth in 1966 instituted the Virginia Historic Preservation Easement Program, providing a tool that would enable historic landmarks to enjoy long-term legal protection while remaining in private ownership.

Through the easement program, a private owner has the opportunity to guarantee the perpetual protection of an important historic resource without giving up ownership, use, or enjoyment of the property. While the landmark remains in private hands and on the tax rolls, its existence and sympathetic treatment are secured for the benefit of future generations. Furthermore, the property owner can often take advantage of significant financial benefits associated with easement donation.

For details about easements, select the links to the right. Also, for an overview of the historic preservation easement program read Forty Years of Preservation: Virginia's Easement Program, an article by Calder Loth, a senior architectural historian at DHR, published in Notes on Virginia.
 

Many owners of historic landmarks, like the owners of the the Fowle-Pickens House in Alexandria, are concerned about the future of their properties and want to ensure the proper stewardship of these resources beyond their tenure.

Easement Main Page

Policy #5: Requests for Approval

How Does an Easement Work & Why Give an Easement?

Financial Benefits

Terms & Conditions

Process for Donating on Easement