Who We Are

Virginia Department of Historic Resources

DHR is Virginia’s State Historic Preservation Office, an agency within the Secretariat of Natural and Historic Resources. Our programs support historic preservation and archaeology throughout the Commonwealth. We identify historic places, educate the public, connect communities with their histories, and equip Virginians with the tools to foster historic preservation.

Quarterly Board Meetings

The Board of Historic Resources and the State Review Board meet quarterly to consider new nominations of historic sites for listing in the Virginia Landmarks Register (VLR) and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The two boards also consider proposed updates and boundary increases to nominations for sites previously listed in the VLR and NRHP. For more information on how to register for these public meetings, visit our Boards pages.

PROGRAMS IN FOCUS: TAX CREDITS

The Omni Homestead Resort

Virginia’s Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HRTC) program has played an essential role in the restoration of some of the most iconic hotels and resorts throughout the state, including the Omni Homestead Resort.

IN THE NEWS

Historical Marker: Mary Wingfield Scott (1895-1983)

On April 24, 2023, a state historical marker was dedicated in Richmond for Mary Wingfield Scott, the pioneering preservationist best known for her work to document and advocate for the rehabilitation and reuse of the city's historic buildings. The marker was erected in front of the Linden Row Inn, which is comprised of the houses that Wingfield Scott saved from demolition in the 1950s. To read more about DHR's historical highway marker program, check out the link below.

Enabling the Future of Historic Preservation

Our mission is to foster, encourage, and support the stewardship of Virginia’s significant historic architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources. Our programs and services are designed to empower others to further the significance of historic places and their role in shaping Virginia today.

The Department of Historic Resources, the Board of Historic Resources, and the State Review Board acknowledge the indigenous peoples of Virginia and express its gratitude for their continued stewardship of her lands and waterways over many generations. We also acknowledge the free and enslaved Africans and their descendants whose labors and contributions on behalf of the Commonwealth have long been overlooked. We commit ourselves to meaningful engagement with all Virginians, past and present, as we strive to fulfill our charge as stewards of Virginia’s long and rich history.

DHR PROGRAMS

Easements

DHR's Easement program allows property owners to voluntarily protect the historical, architectural and archaeological integrity of their property by placing a permanent preservation easement on the...

Certified Local Government

Communities strengthen and expand their local preservation programs through Certified Local Government (CLG) designation. The CLG program was created by the National Historic Preservation Act of 19...

Survey Program

DHR's Survey Program coordinates identification and documentation of buildings, districts, sites, and other types of historic resources throughout Virginia. Through this program, we provide guidanc...

Highway Markers

The Highway Marker Program identifies and documents Virginia's significant historical persons, events, and places. Our focus is on educating the public and providing accurate historical informatio...

Underwater Archaeology

DHR is tasked with the preservation and protection of underwater historic property, as defined in §10.1-2214 of the Code of Virginia. As a part of DHR's Division of State Archaeology, the Underwate...

Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits

DHR's Tax Credit program provides state tax credits to property owners who undertake the rehabilitation of historic buildings in compliance with the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilita...

Research & Identify

DHR plays a critical role in research and identification related to historic preservation and archaeology. Through its research efforts, DHR provides valuable information and resources to support the identification, evaluation, and protection of historic sites and resources. DHR’s identification programs provide a foundation for preservation efforts, while its research initiatives help to inform and guide those efforts, promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of Virginia’s unique history and culture.

Preserve & Protect

DHR is committed to preserving and protecting Virginia’s historic and cultural resources. Through its programs, DHR promotes stewardship of historic sites and structures for future generations. DHR focuses on providing technical assistance to individuals, organizations and agencies engaged in historic preservation.