DHR

DHR
Who We Are
Virginia Department of Historic Resources
DHR is Virginia’s State Historic Preservation Office, an agency within the Secretariat of Natural and Historic Resources. Our programs support historic preservation and archaeology throughout the Commonwealth. We identify historic places, educate the public, connect communities with their histories, and equip Virginians with the tools to foster historic preservation.
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Grants & Funding Opportunities
Request for Applications: 2026-2027 Cost Share Survey & Planning
DHR is now
soliciting
applications
for
our Survey and Planning Cost Share Program. Cost Share projects are funded through a partnership between DHR and a local government
, state- or federally recognized American Indian Tribe,
and/or regional planning district commission (PDC).
Eligible projects encompass a broad range of survey and planning activities and support the protection of historic resources.
T
he deadline for
applications
is
5
p.m.,
April 3, 2026
.
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Division of State Archaeology
Closure for Construction
DHR's archaeological collections repository and Collections Room will be temporarily closed due to construction beginning October 1, 2025. Read more about it here.
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PROGRAMS IN FOCUS: TAX CREDITS
The Omni Homestead Resort
Virginia’s Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HRTC) program has played an essential role in the restoration of some of the most iconic hotels and resorts throughout the state, including the Omni Homestead Resort.
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IN THE NEWS
Historical Marker: Mary Wingfield Scott (1895-1983)
On April 24, 2023, a state historical marker was dedicated in Richmond for Mary Wingfield Scott, the pioneering preservationist best known for her work to document and advocate for the rehabilitation and reuse of the city's historic buildings. The marker was erected in front of the Linden Row Inn, which is comprised of the houses that Wingfield Scott saved from demolition in the 1950s. To read more about DHR's historical highway marker program, check out the link below.
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Enabling the Future of
Historic Preservation
Our mission is to foster, encourage, and support the stewardship of Virginia’s significant historic architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources. Our programs and services are designed to empower others to further the significance of historic places and their role in shaping Virginia today.
The Department of Historic Resources, the Board of Historic Resources, and the State Review Board acknowledge the indigenous peoples of Virginia and express its gratitude for their continued stewardship of her lands and waterways over many generations. We also acknowledge the free and enslaved Africans and their descendants whose labors and contributions on behalf of the Commonwealth have long been overlooked. We commit ourselves to meaningful engagement with all Virginians, past and present, as we strive to fulfill our charge as stewards of Virginia’s long and rich history.
DHR Programs
Survey Program
DHR's Survey Program coordinates identification and documentation of buildings, districts, sites, and other types of historic resources throughout Virginia. Through this program, we provide guidanc...
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Historic Registers
DHR manages the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register programs in Virginia. Both Registers are lists of historically and culturally significant properties in Virginia, including buildin...
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Certified Local Government
Communities strengthen and expand their local preservation programs through Certified Local Government (CLG) designation. The CLG program was created by the National Historic Preservation Act of 19...
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Underwater Archaeology
DHR is tasked with the preservation and protection of underwater historic property, as defined in §10.1-2214 of the Code of Virginia. As a part of DHR's Division of State Archaeology, the Underwate...
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Tribal Outreach
DHR's Tribal Outreach Coordination efforts are intended to increase recordation of historic sites and artifact conservation associated with Native American communities through outreach, collaborati...
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State Archaeology
Division of State Archaeology (DSA) staff provide a variety of services to record and explore archaeological sites both on land and underwater, manage and conserve the millions of objects in our ar...
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Research & Identify
DHR plays a critical role in research and identification related to historic preservation and archaeology. Through its research efforts, DHR provides valuable information and resources to support the identification, evaluation, and protection of historic sites and resources. DHR’s identification programs provide a foundation for preservation efforts, while its research initiatives help to inform and guide those efforts, promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of Virginia’s unique history and culture.
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Preserve & Protect
DHR is committed to preserving and protecting Virginia’s historic and cultural resources. Through its  programs, DHR promotes stewardship of historic sites and structures for future generations. DHR focuses on providing technical assistance to individuals, organizations and agencies engaged in historic preservation.
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DHR News
Call for Submissions: Share Your African American Cemetery & Graves Fund Success Story
04/23/2026
Preservation Incentives 2025-26: Recent Highlights from DHR’s Preservation Easement and Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Programs
04/21/2026
Preservation Easement Stewardship Spotlight: Monumental Church in the City of Richmond
04/16/2026
A Mid-Century Modern Motor Lodge Is Rehabilitated Into One of Roanoke’s Newest Boutique Hotels
04/15/2026
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