When Preservation Virginia was founded in 1889 as the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA), a branch structure was established that gave the organization a broader base of membership. It also helped the organization to reach out into communities throughout Virginia to identify and save historic landmarks. Originally, Branches were established in New York, Philadelphia, and Tennessee. However, as the need for preservation was seen in other communities across the nation, these out of state branches broke away from Preservation Virginia and established preservation and historical societies focusing on their own state's resources.
Today, the Preservation Virginia branches act as advocates for preservation in their cities, counties or regions. The branches are the base from which the organization operates. Located throughout the state of Virginia, these twenty-three branches have their individual areas of focus. Some branches maintain properties and oversee the interpretation at a site. Other branches focus on providing their region with educational opportunities related to preservation and preservation advocacy.
Whatever the individual mission, the Branches enrich the overall programs by diversifying the influence of Preservation Virginia throughout the state.
The branches are divided into regions to maintain communications and effectiveness of their programs. Branch directors are elected on a rotating basis form the individual memberships and serve volunteer terms. Below is a listing of Branches and contacts by region.
Central Region
Charlotte County Branch
Mrs. Kay B. Lucado, Director
1325 Country Road
Saxe, VA 23967
434-454-6238
Fort Henry Branch
Alice Martin, Director
1546 Berkeley Avenue
Petersburg, VA 23805
804-861-8621
Hanover County Branch
Pettus Miller, Director
629 North James Street
Ashland, VA 23005
Historic Richmond Foundation
Mrs. Mary Jane Hogue, Director
4 East Main Street
Suite 1-C
Richmond, VA 23219
804-643-7407
804-788-4244
Northern Region
Mary Washington Branch
Mrs. H. Harrison (Gail) Braxton, Jr., Director
1200 Charles Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-373-6209 / 540-373-1569
Northern Neck Branch
Mrs. Becky Marks, Director
P.O. Box 5
Sharps, VA 22548
804-394-3102
Northern Virginia Branch
Robert Orrison, Director
16937 Monmouth Ct.
Dumfries, VA 22026
703-431-2869
Ralph Wormeley Branch
Mrs. Diane S. Gravatt, Director
P.O. Box 277
Urbanna, VA 23175-0277
Tidewater Region
Colonial Capital Branch
Joe Burkart, Director
217 E.Tazewells Way
Williamsburg, VA 23185
757-259-9134
Isle of Wight Branch
Mr. Lanny Hinson, Director
P. O. Box 325
Smithfield, VA 23431
757-356-9016
Joseph Bryan Branch
John Gillis, Director
804.693.6688 / 804.824.4664
Northampton Branch
Mrs. Nan Bennett, Director
P.O. Box 501
Eastville, VA 23347
Thomas Rolfe Branch
Dr. Phyllis Wacker, Director
252 Riverview Drive
Surry, VA 23883
Yorktown Branch
Frank Edwards, Director
126 Barn Swallow Ridge
Yorktown, VA 23692
(757) 898-66
Western Region
Montgomery County Branch
Mrs. Joann Sutphin, Director
1279 Catawba Road
Blacksburg, VA 24060
540-552-7812
Northern Shenandoah Valley Branch
Robert W. Stieg, Jr., Director
P.O. Box 32
Millwood, VA 22646
540-837-2790
Sarah Winston Henry Branch
Dorothea Fuller, Director
2940 Rivermont Avenue
Apt. 5
Lynchburg, VA 24503
434-845-4488
Southern Shenandoah Valley Branch
Arthur Bartenstein, Director
614 Stonewall St.
Lexington, VA 24450
540-463-2946
Thomas Jefferson Branch
Judy Rasmussen, Director
P.O. Box 229
Ivy, VA 22945
