Preservation Virginia identifies state's most endangered historic places
RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) -- Each May, Preservation Virginia releases a list of historic places across the state that face imminent or sustained threats to their integrity to encourage individual citizens, organizations, and local and state governments to continue advocating for these places’ protection and preservation.
A sacred Monacan Indian Nation site in Fluvanna County, a historic church more than a century old in Danville are among Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places for 2020 unveiled Tuesday, May 19 by Preservation Virginia.
Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places list for 2020 includes, in no particular order:
- Rassawek, the historic capital and sacred site of the Monacan Indian Nation, located at the confluence of the Rivanna River and James River in Fluvanna County.
- Alexandria Elks Lodge #48, a community hub for African American Elks and residents in the Parker Gray Historic District for over 115 years.
- James Street Holiness Church, founded in 1891 in north Danville by African American preacher Bettie Thompson.
- Pine Grove School Community, a rural African American community of businesses, churches, cemeteries and homes of students who attended the Pine Grove Rosenwald School in Cumberland County.
- Western Loudoun County's Rural Road Network, a living museum of 300 miles of gravel roadways that traverse the Loudoun Valley.
- Historic Metal Truss Bridges statewide. In 1975, Virginia had approximately 620 metal truss bridges; currently, only about five percent remains.
- Halifax Roller Mill, a three-story, flour and feed mill built in 1915 to use electric power rather than water in the Town of Halifax.
“We understand we are living through quickly evolving times during this pandemic. Life has changed, and our mission to protect and reuse historic places has become more challenging,” said Preservation Virginia CEO Elizabeth S. Kostelny. “While we continue to see historic places of all types remaining resilient across the state, our list highlights longstanding issues that need to be addressed and cannot be forgotten during times of crisis.”
