National Register of Historic Places & Virginia Landmarks Register

Virginians are justly proud of their history and have worked hard to preserve its tangible reminders. Virginia’s rich heritage is reflected in its architecture—some of the best in the United States—as well as in its many archaeological sites, battlefields, and historic districts. The Department of Historic Resources (DHR) administers two programs designed to recognize our resources and to encourage their continued preservation: the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.

The National Register of Historic Places, established in 1966 and managed by the National Park Service, is the official list of structures, sites, objects, and districts that embody the historical and cultural foundations of the nation. More than 60,000 historic resources of all kinds (including 700,000 contributing buildings in historic districts) are listed. The National Register of Historic Places already includes more than 2,000 properties in Virginia. For more information on the national register, a weekly list of registered properties, educational programs, and publications, visit the National Register of Historic Places Web site.

The Virginia Landmarks Register, also established in 1966 and managed by the Department of Historic Resources, is the state’s official list of properties important to Virginia’s history. The same criteria are used to evaluate resources for inclusion in each register. Periodically, the department publishes an updated edition of The Virginia Landmarks Register, a book that contains a photograph and description of each property on the register.

The list of Virginia properties on the state and national registers is available online. In order to read and print the list, Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed on your computer (free software). Download Acrobat Reader now. If you already have reader, you may view the list of registered properties now. The list now includes state themes for listing. For further information about thematic nominations and Multiple Property Documentation, go to the National Park Service. 

As of December of 2002, nomination forms for properties to be considered at quarterly meetings of the Virginia Board of Historic Resources and the Virginia State Review Board have been posted in the Register & Board Activities area of the DHR web site. These are now available as County & City Listings of recently approved properties.

For more information about the register programs, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section. To learn about the process for determining if your property is eligible, go to the Preliminary Evaluation and Nomination Process page. If you have additional questions, contact your nearest regional office.

Style Sheet Reference for Nomination Writing

Frequently Asked Questions About the Registers

Nomination Submission Schedule 2008

Preliminary Evaluation and Nomination Processes

Downloading Preliminary Evaluation and Nomination Forms

List of Virginia Properties on the State and National Registers

St. Peter's Church, in New Kent County, was constructed in 1701. Martha Washington attended there in her youth. Listed on the registers in 1968




The Tastee 29 Diner, in Fairfax, takes its name from U.S. Route 29. This diner is a rare survivor of once-common streamlined Moderne diners. Listed on the registers in 1992






Built in 1922, the Assateague Coast Guard Station, in Accomack County, contained housing for lifesaving crews, a lookout tower, and a boathouse. Listed on the registers in 1973




The ruins of Rosewell, in Gloucester County, are all that remain of what was perhaps Virginia's largest colonial mansion, built in 1726. Listed on the registers in 1969