Preservation Virginia’s 2025 list features ten culturally significant but critically threatened historic sites across the Commonwealth. These places represent the legacy of Indigenous nations, African-American resilience, industrial innovation, and community pride—now under threat from neglect, development, and climate change.
Richmond, VA – From log cabins to rail stations, schoolhouses to sacred burial grounds, Virginia’s historical fabric is fraying. The 2025 endangered list by Preservation Virginia underscores an urgent need for funding, advocacy, and sustainable planning. Below are the ten sites spotlighted this year:
Granite Schoolhouse – Richmond
The last standing historical structure of the Granite community, this former schoolhouse was used for weddings, dances, and civic gatherings. Descendants of enslaved granite workers who helped build Richmond, D.C., and New York City still reside nearby. The Granite CommUNITY Foundation is raising funds to acquire and restore it as a neighborhood hub for future generations.
Kingsmill Archaeological Site – James City County
Home to remnants of an 18th-century plantation built by Lewis Burwell III, this site includes flanking kitchen and office buildings that survived a mid-1800s fire. Now at risk from a 28-home development, advocates are calling for further archaeological surveys and preservation of the area’s green spaces and early American artifacts.
Ascension Church – Mecklenburg County
This 1879 church is the earliest known work of James Solomon Russell, who later founded Saint Paul College and became an Episcopal Saint. The church served as a spiritual and cultural pillar for the local African-American community. It now faces structural collapse and flooding and needs urgent stabilization and interpretive signage.
Century Cotton Mill Tower – South Boston
Opened in 1897, the Century Cotton Mill was a key employer in Halifax County until its closure in 2002. Today, only the tower entrance remains. Local leaders are advocating for its stabilization and signage to commemorate its role in shaping South Boston’s industrial era.
Indian Knob School – Patrick County
This rare African-American mountain schoolhouse evolved into a beloved community gathering place, hosting gospel performances and celebrations. A preservation effort led by new ownership and the Patrick County Historical Society seeks to restore the building’s foundation and prepare it for future community use.
Westham Train Station – Richmond
Built in 1911 and moved in 1963, this C&O station served passengers and freight until its closure. It later became a transportation-themed visitor center before falling into disuse in 2002. Now deteriorating, it requires immediate stabilization or relocation to avoid demolition.
Davis Tobacco Warehouse – Danville
Built in 1886, the Davis Warehouse is central to Danville’s historic role in the tobacco auction trade. In May 2024, the City Council approved demolition despite preservation objections. The building’s future remains uncertain amid public outcry over erasing Danville’s heritage.
Hidden Vale House – Madison County
Once owned by the family of Governor James Gilmore, this log cabin is over 200 years old. While structurally intact, the building is deteriorating rapidly. The current owner has preserved a smaller home on the property but lacks funds to rescue the main house.
Goochland Recreational Center – Goochland
Established in 1961, this community center provided African Americans a safe space for social connection during segregation. Today, the building suffers from neglect and aging infrastructure. Community leaders are working to restore the center as a modern hub of inclusion and opportunity.
Historic Sites Threatened by Data Centers – Statewide
Virginia’s booming data center industry threatens sites like Wilderness Battlefield and Manassas National Battlefield Park, particularly in Northern and Central Virginia. Over 500 data centers exist statewide, with plans for many more. Critics warn that utility infrastructure may bypass preservation protections, risking damage to sacred and historic landscapes.
Preservation Virginia urges citizens, local governments, and lawmakers to rally in defense of these endangered places. Without active stewardship, the stories they hold may be lost forever. With collaboration and investment, these sites can be saved and serve once again as community beacons, historical touchstones, and educational landmarks.
For more details, follow Preservation Virginia.
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