Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced today that the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund has launched ahead of the 250th anniversary of the 1776 U.S. Declaration of Independence.
The Department of Historic Resources will administer the $20,000,000 state funds for historic preservation projects across the Commonwealth.
Funding for the new program was prioritized in Youngkin’s recent biennial budget and the 2024-2026 Virginia Biennial Budget bill. The purpose of the special fund is to support capital improvement projects at historic sites and museums that anticipate a significant increase in visitation during the semiquincentennial in 2026.
“The Virginia 250 Preservation Fund is critical to ensuring that Virginia is prepared to host millions of Americans for the semiquincentennial celebration of our glorious history. As home to Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Patrick Henry and the Battle of Hampton to the Siege of Yorktown, Virginia was at the forefront of our history. Bolstering our historic sites and museums will not only encourage and aid tourism, it is our responsibility as stewards of American history,” Youngkin said.
DHR has designed a grant program, consisting of a two-step application process, by which the funds will be distributed for capital improvements at significant historic sites and history museums in the Commonwealth. Preapplications will be accepted until Friday, August 30, 2024. Projects that advance will have until October 14, 2024 to submit full applications.
Eligible applicants for the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund include nonprofit organizations that are registered as tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Code; Virginia localities as defined under Code § 1-221, and state-or federally-recognized Indian tribes in Virginia. All applicants must be the owner of the project property or be able to submit a signed letter of support from the property owner and a copy of the recorded deed.
“As a result of Gov. Youngkin’s outstanding leadership, we have this vital capital improvement funding. The enhancements made with this funding will not only prepare us for the semiquincentennial, they will have lasting impacts for generations to come. Americans nationwide, not only Virginians, will benefit tremendously from this Fund,” Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Travis Voyles said.
According to Director of the Department of Historic Resources Julie Langan, DHR “is incredibly grateful to Governor Youngkin and the General Assembly for providing this essential funding. We are so excited to work with Virginians to support our historic sites and resources in anticipation of our nation’s 250th birthday.”
DHR invites all historic sites or museums that meet the requirements specified above to apply online. History museums in non-historic buildings are also eligible for funding, but priority will be given to projects featuring properties listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register (VLR) and/or the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), properties designated as a National Historic Landmark (NHL), or properties determined eligible for any such listing by DHR.
Related stories:
Staunton among 25 Virginia localities awarded tourism funds from VA250 – Augusta Free Press
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Rebecca Barnabi
