National Historic Preservation Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

National Historic Preservation Month

WHEREAS, May is National Historic Preservation Month, a time to celebrate the historic preservation movement and to promote public appreciation of historic places and the value of their preservation and continued use; and

WHEREAS, the preservation of historic buildings, sites, battlefields, and other tangible reminders of history provide the foundation to revitalize communities, create jobs, encourage new businesses, attract millions of visitors to various cities, towns and rural areas, and educate our children-connecting them with a rich heritage and promising future; and

WHEREAS, it is important to recognize the enduring role of history and to commend the dedicated individuals whose efforts preserve the tangible heritage that has shaped us as a nation and a people; and

WHEREAS, since 1966, DHR has partnered with stakeholders to document more than 300,000 historic and archaeological sites, achieve over 3,700 Virginia Landmarks Register listings, and conserve more than 47,000 acres of land; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth has erected 2,600 historical highway markers and 11 Green Book plaques that highlight people, places, and events important at the regional, state, or national level; and

WHEREAS, 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR), whose mission is to foster, encourage, and support the stewardship of the Commonwealth's rich and diverse historic resources from over 16,000 years of history;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, do hereby recognize May 2026, as NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.