Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future: A Spotlight on Historic Richmond

In a city where cobblestone streets meet contemporary skylines, Historic Richmond stands as a guardian of the Commonwealth’s architectural heritage. For 90 years, this nonprofit organization has been dedicated to preserving Richmond’s diverse historic buildings, neighborhoods, and places, sparking revitalization, and championing the city’s distinctive architectural legacy.

We chatted with them to learn more about their preservation, rehabilitation, revitalization, and advocacy efforts.

CultureWorks: For folks unfamiliar with Historic Richmond, how would you describe the organization’s mission in a sentence or two?

Historic Richmond: Our mission is to shape the future of Richmond by preserving our diverse historic buildings, neighborhoods, and places, sparking revitalization, and championing our distinctive architectural legacy. We accomplish this through advocacy, education, neighborhood revitalization, and hands-on restoration.

CultureWorks: In your view, what makes Richmond's architectural heritage unique compared to other cities?

Historic Richmond: Richmond is such a unique and authentic city with distinctive neighborhoods and remarkable civic architecture. Relative to other cities, Richmond is fortunate to retain a great deal of high-quality architecture. We believe that architecture is art and part of our city’s culture of art, design, and craftsmanship.

We love our historic neighborhoods - like Church Hill, Jackson Ward and the Fan - with their welcoming, community-oriented porches. (Good porches make good neighbors!)  And our downtown arts venues like The National, Dominion Energy Center, and Altria Theatre provide unique opportunities for the community to enjoy the performing arts in an artful setting. Not to mention our civic buildings and parks with their connecting, aspirational, and beautiful spaces. All of these places combine to create a unique sense of place for people – an authentic Richmond where we can reflect back and think forward.

CultureWorks: How does Historic Richmond collaborate with local schools or educational institutions to promote historic preservation among younger generations?

Historic Richmond: We have recently launched a grant-funded initiative called Better Building Blocks in partnership with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, which aims to connect preservationists of all kinds (historians, archaeologists, craftspeople and builders, conservators, museum professionals, architects, and more!) with middle and high school students through programs at our local libraries. Staff has also presented to students at the ACE Center at Highland Springs, helping ensure that the next generation is aware of the huge breadth of fulfilling career options available to them.

CultureWorks: What does community-centered preservation look like in practice for Historic Richmond?

Historic Richmond: Historic Richmond practices people-centric preservation, with the goal of saving buildings so they can be returned to active use by the community. We don’t want to save a building just for it to sit empty — it should be used, filling a community need like housing, commercial space, civic space — you name it. We also keep the community front of mind when determining what should be saved and how to prioritize our resources: “What does the community want?” is always going to be one of the first questions we ask before we get involved in a project.

CultureWorks: Can you share a memorable experience or story that highlights the impact of Historic Richmond's work on the community?

Historic Richmond: After providing a long-time Jackson Ward resident with a façade grant, they told us that for the first time ever they did not have water coming into the house during a storm and could finally sleep when it’s raining.

CultureWorks: What advice would you give to individuals interested in historic preservation or getting involved with Historic Richmond?

Historic Richmond: There are plenty of ways to get involved with Historic Richmond! Attend an event – we have a monthly touring group called Quoit Club, a lecture series, the Golden Hammer Awards, and this year an entire week of special events in October as we celebrate our 90th anniversary. We have several auxiliary groups, including the Junior Board and the Council of Historic Richmond, among others.

CultureWorks: Looking ahead, what are some upcoming projects or initiatives that Historic Richmond is excited about?

Historic Richmond: This year, Historic Richmond is celebrating its 90th Anniversary! We are hosting a year of special programming, culminating in Historic Richmond Preservation Week from October 13-17, 2025. Events will include a restaurant night, the Golden Hammer Awards, an Architecture is Art Private Home Tour, and a 90th Anniversary celebration at the historic Hippodrome Theater in Jackson Ward. Whether you’ve supported us for years or are just getting to know Historic Richmond, Preservation Week has something for everyone!

On the preservation side, we have so many good projects in the pipeline! Historic Richmond owns and stewards Monumental Church, a National Historic Landmark designed by Robert Mills to commemorate the victims of the Richmond Theater Fire (1811). We are currently adding new signage and upgrading out interior lighting at Monumental so we can better interpret and utilize the site (join us for a tour!). We are working with several homeowners in Jackson Ward and Church Hill on exterior repairs through our façade grant program. We are also working on a roof restoration project for the Byrd Park Pump House in partnership with the Friends of the Pump House and City of Richmond.