To our friends and supporters,

Our thoughts are with you today. As we look around the Commonwealth, we are humbled by the actions of the healthcare professionals and first responders who bring comfort and aid. All of us at Preservation Virginia are sending our most heartfelt wishes for the health and safety of you and our communities.

I wanted to update you on Preservation Virginia’s actions during the COVID-19 outbreak. Following the directives of Governor Northam, our historic sites remain temporarily closed through April 24th. We will continue to consult with health officials to determine when the sites may safely reopen. Additionally, all special events, programs and educational offerings are being rescheduled. Our statewide staff is telecommuting and #preservingfromhome!

Despite these circumstances, Preservation Virginia’s mission continues. Our statewide team is in contact with communities to lend an ear and support. We’re developing educational content and virtual experiences. Our site staff has been re-deployed to help in this effort and to prepare special themed tours to be available when we reopen. Adhering to all the restrictions of social distancing, restoration and grounds projects continue at our properties.

It has been amazing to see how these folks jumped in and utilized our resources to create experiences for you. Check out the article released today by preservation projects manager Eric Litchford.

A number of you have reached out to us and asked how you can help. We are grateful. Here are some thoughts:

• Stay in touch with us on our social media channels, blog and eNewsletter, and share our work with your friends and family

• Take our survey! We want your suggestions for how to best serve you and deliver preservation stories in the current climate

• Contact your legislators in Congress and thank them for including museums and cultural organizations in the massive COVID-19 relief package. This is the third round and likely not the last. Stay tuned to help ensure nonprofits are included in future packages: https://www.aam-us.org/2020/03/19/urge-congress-to-support-museum-community-economic-relief/

We are all feeling the pinch of this uncertain time. As a nonprofit organization that receives no direct state or federal funding, we rely on donor support and admissions at our historic sites. If you are able, please consider a donation to help sustain our work. Now more than ever, learning from the past helps create a brighter future.

Stay safe and well,


Elizabeth S. Kostelny
Chief Executive Officer

P.S.-  See our staff in action this Saturday on C-SPAN 3! Our symposium on the Trail of Tears brought together Tribal leadership from across the state and nation. Tune in Saturday, March 28, at 1:30 p.m. to watch the event. If you can’t tune in, the symposium will be available online in three segments:

https://www.c-span.org/video/?469670-4/origins-us-policies-native-americans

https://www.c-span.org/video/?469670-5/chief-justice-john-marshall-cherokee-cases

https://www.c-span.org/video/?469670-6/trail-tears