Category: Historic Preservation

Danville effort first historic preservation club in commonwealth high schools

December 6, 2010

The Danville Historical Society is modeling the way for youth outreach across the state. They have a board member in charge of coordinating youth activities, and they recently led the commonwealth by establishing the state’s first high school historic preservation clubs. The effort, simultaneously establishing clubs at George Washington High School and at Galileo Magnet High School, have piqued … More Danville effort first historic preservation club in commonwealth high schools

Main Street Communities Bring History to Life

November 22, 2010

From the first American colonies to the modern college town, many Virginia communities have a rich history to share. Two VMS communities have recently been recognized for transforming aspects of their pasts into valuable assets for their downtown neighborhoods. Berryville Main Street has received the Virginia Downtown Development Association’s 2010 Building Development and Improvements Award of … More Main Street Communities Bring History to Life

Virginia’s quarter century communities featured in Main Street Now

November 16, 2010

In celebration of  Virginia Main Street’s 25th anniversary year, Main Street Now, the magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Center, recently profiled the three communities that have maintained VMS designation throughout the quarter century. Over that 25 years, the communities – Bedford, Franklin, and Winchester – have  navigated rocky economic terrain with strategies that make the most … More Virginia’s quarter century communities featured in Main Street Now

Main Street Merchant Profile: Pufferbellies

November 5, 2010

In a new series of blog entries, we’re highlighting Main Street merchants — the entrepreneurs who create jobs and care for historic structures in our traditional commercial districts. To share the successes of one of your merchants, contact Doug Jackson. Pufferbellies, a shop specializing in top-notch service to the next generation of Main Street customers, offers a … More Main Street Merchant Profile: Pufferbellies

Virginia Tourism is way ahead of the pack…again.

October 12, 2010

One of Virginia Main Street’s most prized relationships is the one we have with Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC).  We often plan our strategies to complement theirs and they often ask us what’s going on downtown that they can use to better market Virginia.  They believe in Virginia’s historic commercial districts as tourist attractions to the … More Virginia Tourism is way ahead of the pack…again.

VDDA Hot Topic Luncheon focuses on traditional downtown design

August 24, 2010

Nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and located on the edge of the Washington, D.C. suburbs, the Town of Purcellville has worked to maintain the small town characteristics that have defined the community for centuries.  New downtown construction projects and infill developments fit right into the local, historic charm.  This achievement made the town the … More VDDA Hot Topic Luncheon focuses on traditional downtown design

Main Street organizations and nonprofit status

July 6, 2010

For fund development efforts, Main Street organizations have no better tool than the Internal Revenue Service’s designation as a 501 (c) 3 organization.  Lately some communities have struggled for it, trying hard to clarify the nuances of how Main Street groups pursue their goals so that they are not designated as economic development or membership organizations.  … More Main Street organizations and nonprofit status

Virginia Preservation Toolkit, a green guide?

June 14, 2010

Historic preservation is gaining popular recognition as a “green” practice connected to broader sustainability goals.  After all, reuse of a historic building is fundamental recycling.  From a national perspective, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has created a Sustainability and Historic Preservation Web resource for homeowners, Main Street communities and preservation planners.   Now Virginia can … More Virginia Preservation Toolkit, a green guide?

Altavista’s first historic district

April 12, 2010

Altavista arose in the late 19th century, soon after the regional Virginian Railway extended an east-west line,  intersecting with the Southern Railway, a major east coast corridor.  The Lane brothers, realizing the commercial opportunity, purchased 2,000 acres at the junction, and proceeded to build Altavista and the Lane Home Furnishings from a fledgling cedar chest … More Altavista’s first historic district