—Grants will support projects in the counties of Essex, Fairfax, and Middlesex; the towns of Abingdon (Washington Co.), Chase City (Mecklenburg Co.), and Port Royal (Caroline Co.); and the cities of Norfolk, Salem, and Virginia Beach—

DHR has awarded Cost Share Survey and Planning Program grants to fund nine historic resources surveys in three counties, towns, and cities during Virginia’s current fiscal year, which began July 1. This year’s grants will go to the counties of Essex, Fairfax, and Middlesex, the towns of Abingdon, Chase City, and Port Royal, and the cities of Norfolk, Salem, and Virginia Beach. DHR expects that survey projects slated for these localities will result in new or updated information for hundreds of historic properties in the Commonwealth as well as new nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. DHR awards the cost share grants on a competitive basis and the agency matches the amount of money that successful grant applicants commit to a proposed project. In addition to funds, DHR also provides administrative services for each project selected. The 2019-2020 cost share projects meet DHR's survey priorities, which include updating older survey records, recording resources in under-surveyed parts of the state, and documenting places associated with Virginia’s diverse history. The grant recipients are local governments and planning district commissions. These entities typically use the funding to survey or identify historic properties, prepare national register nominations, or develop preservation plans. This year’s cost share projects, which must be completed by June 2020, will support and enable—

• The City of Norfolk to conduct a desktop review and produce a phased work plan to update a city-wide architectural survey;
• The City of Salem to conduct a reconnaissance survey of eight historic districts within the city and to prepare a management summary outlining potential eligibility for listing each district on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP);
• The City of Virginia Beach to conduct an archaeological assessment of the southern half of the city, including a limited shoreline survey of areas with a high probability of containing archaeological resources;
• Essex County to conduct reconnaissance survey of approximately 150 properties and prepare a NRHP nomination for the Occupacia-Rappahannock Rural Historic District;
• Fairfax County to conduct a reconnaissance survey of nine historic districts and 50 individual properties in Reston, and to prepare a survey report documenting the mid-20th century development of Reston and recommending areas for further study;
• Middlesex County to conduct a reconnaissance survey of approximately 50 properties and to prepare a NRHP nomination for the Saluda Historic District;
• The Town of Abingdon to conduct a reconnaissance survey of approximately eight properties and to prepare a NRHP nomination for the Depot Square Historic District;
• The Town of Chase City to prepare a NRHP nomination for the Chase City Commercial and Warehouse Historic District;
• The Town of Port Royal to prepare a NRHP nomination update and boundary increase for the Port Royal Historic District.

The cost share program was launched in 1991, and to date more than 120 localities have participated in it. # # #