Virginia Landmarks Register facts for kids
The Virginia Landmarks Register (VLR) is a special list of important historic places in Virginia. Think of it as Virginia's official record of buildings, sites, and objects that have a lot of history. This list was started in 1966 to help protect and celebrate these places.
The VLR works a lot like the National Register of Historic Places, which is a similar list for the whole United States. If a place in Virginia is added to the VLR, its information is then sent to the National Park Service. This means it can also be considered for the National Register.
The Virginia Department of Historic Resources is in charge of keeping and updating the Virginia Landmarks Register. They make sure that Virginia's history is remembered and preserved for everyone.
Contents
What is the Virginia Landmarks Register?
The Virginia Landmarks Register is a list of places that are important to Virginia's past. These can be old houses, battlefields, bridges, or even archaeological sites. Each place on the list tells a part of Virginia's story.
Why is it Important?
- Protection: Listing a place on the VLR helps protect it from being destroyed or changed too much.
- Recognition: It highlights places that are special and deserve to be remembered.
- Education: These sites help us learn about history, culture, and important events.
- Funding: Sometimes, being on the list can help places get money for repairs or preservation.
How Places Get Listed
For a place to be added to the Virginia Landmarks Register, it needs to be very important historically. Experts look at things like its age, its design, and what happened there. They also check if it represents a significant part of Virginia's history or culture.
Who Decides?
The Virginia Department of Historic Resources is the group that manages the VLR. They review all the information about a site. If it meets the rules, they add it to the list. This process helps make sure that only the most important places are included.
Virginia's Historic Treasures
Most of the historic places listed on the national register in Virginia are also on the state register. There are over 2,800 such sites! These include famous plantations, old churches, and important battlegrounds.
However, some places are only on the Virginia Landmarks Register. These sites are still very important to Virginia's local history. They might be unique to a certain county or tell a specific local story.
Images for kids
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Fort Vause, Virginia
