Department of Historic ResourcesAn official website of the Commonwealth of Virginia Here's how you knowAn official websiteHere's how you know

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.

  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

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

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...

VCRIS

The Virginia Cultural Resources Information System (VCRIS) is an online database that contains the inventory of buildings, districts, archaeological sites, and other types of properties. VCRIS allo...

Community Outreach

DHR Community Outreach seeks to meaningfully engage communities throughout the state to enrich Virginia Cultural Resource Information System documentation on historic architecture, archaeological s...
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6

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.

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.

DHR News

Grave Matters: The African American Cemetery & Graves Fund
Virginia Landmarks Register Spotlight: Miles B. Carpenter House
Easement Stewardship Spotlight: The Gentry Farm
Recent Highlights of DHR’s Preservation Incentives Programs: 2024-2025