Virginia Department of Historic Resources

The board discussed several easement offers for historic and archaeological sites. Key projects included the Morton's Tenement in Williamsburg, which is a contributing resource to the Chandler Court and Pollard Park Historic District; the Martin Site in Wythe County, an indigenous village site; the Excelsior Brigade Tract in Orange County, associated with the Mine Run Battlefield; and the Bracken Tract in Shenandoah County, associated with the New Market Battlefield. The board reviewed conservation values, proposed easement terms, and statements of public benefit for each property. The Easement Acceptance Committee recommended approval for these offers, subject to conditions such as title reviews, tribal consultations, and demolition requirements for non-historic or ruinous structures on the properties.

The joint meeting covered several key business items for both the State Review Board and the Board of Historic Resources, including a director's report on museum programming, new deputy director introduction, federal funding updates, and legislative session outcomes. A public comment period was held regarding various historical markers and property nominations. Action items included the approval of statewide, regional, and specific location nominations for register listing, as well as the consideration and approval of new highway markers and replacement markers. The Board of Historic Resources also addressed burial permits, accepted new easement offers for historic properties, and noted recently recorded easements. The State Review Board conducted a session to discuss and evaluate Preliminary Information Forms for potential future register nominations across several regions.

The joint board meeting covered various administrative and project-specific actions. Key discussion topics included the retirement of the DHR Director and upcoming gubernatorial transition updates, the presentation of new and replacement historical highway markers, and the approval of easement offers for several properties, including reconsiderations of previously approved easements. The boards also discussed the issuance of burial permits and progress on various nomination projects to the National Register. Additionally, a separate session for the State Review Board focused on the review and approval of Preliminary Information Forms for historic districts and individual properties.

The joint meeting agenda outlines key business for the State Review Board and the Board of Historic Resources. Topics include the review of nominations for statewide multiple property documentation and various regional historic properties. The Board of Historic Resources session includes the approval of new and replacement highway markers, the consideration of applications, and the review of easement offers. The State Review Board session focuses on the review of Preliminary Information Forms through consent and discussion agendas covering regional properties.

The joint meeting covered administrative and operational items for both the State Review Board and the Board of Historic Resources. Key discussions included introductions, the reading of a land acknowledgement statement, and the approval of the agenda and the proposed 2026 meeting schedule. The Board of Historic Resources conducted elections, resulting in Dr. Ken Rutherford being elected as the new chair and Amy Georgiani as the vice chair. The Director's Report provided updates on the department's improved financial footing following receipt of the full federal appropriation, the ongoing process for the 2026 budget submissions, and cautionary notes regarding potential state budget impacts. Significant attention was given to archaeological collections, including the implementation of a temporary moratorium on access to indigenous cultural material due to compliance with NAGPRA responsibilities, and the planned installation of space saver shelving in expanded collection storage, which will require a temporary curtailment of access to collections and volunteer assistance starting October 1st.