Since the 19th century, the historic Church Tower has been a lasting symbol of Jamestown Island. Constructed around 1680, the Tower is the only 17th-century building to remain standing above ground on the island. When the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA) bought part of Jamestown Island in 1893, their explicit goal was …
A few weeks ago, we posted an article about the Shiloh Rosenwald School in Mecklenburg County near Boydton. The Shiloh School was a two-teacher school built in 1923 that we previously thought had been demolished. It was one of 17 Rosenwald Schools built in Mecklenburg County, nine of which remain standing. The Rosenwald School Program was created …
It’s American Archives Month! As a preservation organization, we don’t just save buildings and objects. We save paper too! The archives and document collections of Preservation Virginia are an extraordinary record of our historic sites as well as the evolution of the institution over the last 131 years. Over that time, the Association for the Preservation of …
A school building we mistakenly thought was lost was recently found. During an ATV ride through the woods of Mecklenburg County, a family came across a school building near Boydton, Virginia. They provided photographs to Preservation Virginia, and after researching the images and the location, we determined that it was the Shiloh Rosenwald School. Photos …
Rassawek, the historic capital and sacred site of the Monacan Indian Nation located at the confluence of the Rivanna River and James River in Fluvanna County, is included on a national list of threatened historic sites. Threatened by a local water intake and pump station, the historic capital of the Monacan Indian Nation is receiving …
Historic preservation, including rehabilitation of historic buildings and heritage tourism, are critical components of the nation’s economy. July 24th’s online program features a discussion on adaptation during the pandemic and the role of historic preservation in economic recovery. Below are the bios of our panelists, and a recording of the program can be found in …
July 17th’s panel discussion about diversity and inclusivity in preservation features Audrey P. Davis, director of the Alexandria Black History Museum, and several representatives from sites listed in the 2020 Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places program. A video of their discussion will be saved under the Videos and Online Programs section of our website: Audrey …
The national and global responses and outrage to the terrible and tragic events of George Floyd’s killing illuminate the long and violent American history of racism and injustice that began in 1619 with the beginnings of American slavery in Virginia. The study of history and the interpretation of historic places must include new and revised …
Our curator of collections, Lea Lane, continues to highlight incredible pieces in Preservation Virginia’s collection. Mary “Polly” Ambler Marshall, wife of Chief Justice John Marshall, was apparently quite the needlework artist. Check out the video below to see a sampler Mary created in the mid-1770s. Preservation Virginia owns and operates the John Marshall House in …
Lea Lane, curator of collections, and her husband Mitch show you how to make an 18th century favorite, Duke of Norfolk punch! Check out their video and the recipe below: Featured object: Punch bowl, 1760s, China, porcelain, collection of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, on loan to Scotchtown (Preservation Virginia). Want to learn …
