From the battlegrounds of Point Pleasant to the steps of the state’s Independence Hall to the tracks of the Cass railroad, West Virginia has a vast history. Discover more about the buildings, sites, and structures that commemorate our past and help us forge ahead into the future.
Webinars
These webinars and workshops provide the opportunity to participate in a variety of informative and engaging preservation training.
Interested in learning more about the basics of historic preservation? Staff take you through important skills like conducting research, identifying architectural styles and features, and documenting historic properties. Also, learn more about the National Register of Historic Places, which is the foundation of all of WV SHPO’s programs and funding
The Certified Local Government program assists in encouraging historic preservation by making it a part of local government. The program fosters a unifying link between local, state and federal preservation organizations creating not only a viable network but a genuine partnership. Established by local ordinance or order of the county commission, historic landmark commissions give local residents and officials authority to act upon the community’s preservation concerns. Staff hosts webinars and conduct webinars around the state with our local partners discussing topics such as: serving as a Section 106 consulting party, creating and using design guidelines for historic districts, creative partnerships, and more.
Often times, preserving historic structures is seen as a financial burden. This is understandable due to the increased cost of construction materials and the scarcity of contractors. But there are resources across the state that can help people overcome that burden. WV SHPO has two permanent grant opportunities and oversees the historic tax credit program. Meanwhile, our non-profit partners at the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia helps to alleviate deferred maintenance through funding sources like microloans and other grants.
If you would like to schedule an education or training session, please fill out our request form.
Learning Resources
Whether your a historic preservation amateur or have been working with the state’s historic & cultural resources for years, there’s always something new you can learn!
Archaeological resources are vital to constructing our understanding of prehistory. In West Virginia, archaeologists have discovered artifacts from the Paleoindian, Archaic, and Woodland Periods, as well as the Protohistoric Period.
Archaeology has also been utilized throughout the state to help us understand our frontier forts, Civil War battlefields, and our large industrial sites. Booklets like Frontier Forts in West Virginia help us to learn more about a defensive system that facilitated the colonization of present-day West Virginia by people of European ancestry until well after the end of the American Revolution, as well as archaeological methods. While, on websites like Archaeology at Fort Edwards you can discover more information about artifacts uncovered at these sites.
See how many architectural features you can find in your town or neighborhood in our West Virginia Preservation Scavenger Hunt. This activity is a great may to learn key architectural terminology!
Commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding by exploring the history & preservation of Washington family properties in West Virginia via this interactive StoryMap.