Map of Most Inhabited Part of Virginia (Fry & Jefferson, 1755)

The Stafford County Historical Commission (SCHC) is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and preserving Stafford County’s prehistoric and historic resources.  The SCHC is composed of seven Board-appointed representatives who coordinate with other county agencies, including the Planning Commission, Architectural Review Board, the Office of Economic Development, & the Office of Parks & Recreation to provide management of the county’s cultural resources.  The primary duty of the SCHC is to make recommendations for cultural resource management as a part of the development review process and to make requests for architectural and archaeological surveys of significant cultural resources.

All meetings of the Historical Commission are open to the public. The SCHC generally meets the first Thursday of every month at the Stafford County Administration Center.

HISTORIC SCHEEL MAP

Eugene Scheel was hired by the SCHC in 1999 to survey & draw a map of Stafford County cultural resources.  Mr. Scheel completed the map in 2003.  It is now sold in the Office of Planning and Zoning for $8.00 plus tax, as well as at Belmont, Ferry Farm, the White Oak Museum, & the Porter Library.  If you do not live in Stafford County and you wish to obtain a copy of the Scheel Map, please contact the Historic Preservation Planner at (540) 658-8668.

ANNUAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD

The Stafford County Historic P reservation Award was established in May 2005 as a component of National Historic Preservation Month.   The award recognizes individuals or groups who have made an outstanding contribution to the preservation of Stafford County cultural resources during the current calendar year.  Nomination forms are sent to the nominating organizations in mid-August and are submitted by December 31.  A selection committee of cultural resource professionals judges the nominations and notifies the SCHC of the winner.  The award is presented in May at a Board of Supervisors meeting.

Past Award Recipients
2005:    Norman & Lenetta Schools - Moncure Conway House, Falmouth
2006:    Richard Knight - Preservation of several Stafford County cemeteries
               Thomas Mountz - Preservation of a Civil War fortification
2007:    Anita Dodd - several years of local historic preservation advocacy & volunteer work

HISTORIC PRESERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM

A preservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement that protects a significant historic property or archaeological site.  An easement provides assurance to the property owner that the property's intrinsic value will be preserved through subsequent ownership.  In addition, the owner may obtain substantial tax benefits.  An entire historic building or just the facade or interior of a building may qualify. Historic preservation easements are also used to protect cultural landscapes , traditional cultural places, or archaeological sites.  Preservation easements are tailored to meet the needs of the property owner, the individual resource, and the mission of the protecting organization.  If certain criteria are met, the owner can also receive a Federal income tax deduction equivalent to the value of the rights given away to a charitable or governmental organization.  Additional financial benefits may be available in the form of reduced estate, gift, and local property taxes.

The Virginia Historic Preservation Easement Program is managed by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.  For more information contact Elizabeth Tune at (804) 367-2323 ext. 110 or Elizabeth.Tune@dhr.virginia. gov. 

STAFFORD COUNTY HISTORIC MARKER PROGRAM

The SCHC is currently working on a program that would identify and designate deserving historic properties in Stafford County with brass markers.  In order for a property to be considered, a nomination form, which would include a property history, would have to be submitted. 

To learn more about the Historical Commission or any programs listed above , contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at (540) 658-8668.