History on the James, Batteaux From the 18th to the 21st Centuries

For the past 37 years the James River Batteau Festival (JRBF) has honored the history of the river by replicating wooden cargo boats known as batteau (the plural is batteaux) and piloting them from Lynchburg down to Maiden’s Landing in Powhatan County at the Rt. 522 bridge.

Cornerstone Contributions: Creating Monument Avenue

The story of the creation of Monument Avenue consists of several intertwined subplots: how the avenue came to exist, how it became an avenue both of monuments and houses, and how myth-making influenced which Confederates deserved monuments.

Carl’s Custard Stand

Carl’s Custard Stand at 2200 Princess Anne Street/ US Route 1 has been a beloved landmark in Fredericksburg for almost 70 years. With its concrete block walls, flat roof, and large, plate glass windows, it embodies the distinctive building form that once stood in Virginia communities both large and small.

Modern Architecture in the Virginia Landmarks Register

Virginia’s Modern architecture encompasses numerous types of properties, including houses, corporate offices, grocery stores, government buildings, and even radio stations. One of the most recent Register listings for a Modern building is the WSVS Radio Station in Nottoway County.

African American Cemetery and Graves Fund Updates

During its 2022 session, the General Assembly amended Virginia Code §10.1-2211.2 to significantly extend the period of eligibility for historic African American cemeteries awarded monies under the fund. As of July 1, 2022, any cemetery established prior to January 1, 1948 for the purpose of interment of African Americans, and any grave of an individual interred prior to January 1, 1948, will be eligible for a grant. Funds will be disbursed at a rate of $5 for every eligible grave, and can be used for vegetation management, headstone cleaning and repair, installation of replacement markers, or preparation of a cemetery management plan.

The application form, program manual, and related documents are available at https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/grants. The application should include information that will allow DHR to confirm the number of eligible graves present. Headstone transcriptions, interment records, funeral home records, or other documentation is acceptable. If the cemetery is not documented in DHR’s permanent archive, arrangements must be made with DHR staff to visit and document the resource in order to complete the grant review process.

In addition to the per-grave grant, an individual, charitable organization, or locality that receives such a grant will also be eligible to apply for funds for extraordinary maintenance projects. Any grant recipient intending to apply for these funds should contact DHR to confirm that the proposed project meets funding requirements, and provide a budget breakdown for review.

The application deadline for FY2022-2023 is May 30, 2023, but owners, caretakers, and localities may apply at any time between now and then. Please contact Joanna Wilson Green, DHR’s Cemetery Archaeologist, at joanna.wilson@dhr.virginia.gov with questions or to follow up on previously submitted applications.

David Edwards
Retired Director of Community Services
9/1/22 – David started his career at DHR 44 years ago as an architectural historian. He served as Director of DHR’s Northern Regional Office after it was established in 1996, and then became the Director of the Community Services Division in which capacity he managed the following programs: State and National Register, Historical Highway Marker Program, Certified Local Government, Cemetery Preservation Fund, Virginia Battlefield Preservation Fund, and the three DHR Regional Offices. Congratulations David!

Randall (Randy) Jones
Retired Public Information Officer
2/1/22 Randy started his career at DHR on May 16, 2005, and served 16 years as the Public Information Officer. In his role, he supported and helped shape public outreach for the Agency; managed DHR’s website, digital publications, and print publications; and provided the Director’s Office assistance on internal and external communications projects and special assignments. Congratulations Randy!

James (Jim) Hare
Retired Director of Special Projects
1/1/22 – Jim started his career at DHR on September 25, 2014 as the Director of the Survey & Register division, managing the National Register of Historic Places and Virginia Landmarks Register programs; the Survey program, including both archaeological and architectural resources; the Cost Share grant program; the Historical Highway Marker program; and the Agency’s Archives, including the Virginia Cultural Resource Inventory System (V-CRIS). On November 10, 2020, Jim was promoted to serve as the Agency’s Director of Special Projects where he set policies for administration of the Survey program; supported the Director’s Office by completing special projects and initiatives; and provided oversight of the Historical Highway Marker program. Congratulations Jim!

Eunice Carter
Director of Administrative Services
DHR welcomed Eunice Carter on April 18, 2022, as the new Director of Administrative Services where she oversees Human resources and directs the Agency’s fiscal operations to include budget, grants, procurement, and general accounting. Eunice previously served 5 years at the Department of Environmental Quality as an Internal Audit Manager. Prior to that, she worked at the Office of the Inspector General as a Senior Auditor for 5 years, and prior to that, she began her state service in the fiscal department at the Department of Corrections in 2003. Eunice has brought a wealth of knowledge and professionalism to DHR She continues to be excited about being part of the DHR team as she learns more about Virginia's rich history.