Monday, November 26 2007

Richmond, VA -- APVA Preservation Virginia is pleased to announce the sale of Fort Colvin, also known as Colvill's Fort, through its Endangered Historic Properties Revolving Fund Program on November 6th, 2007. The two acre property, located in Frederick County which includes a c. 1750s farm house, was purchased by APVA's Revolving Fund Program in 2004 to save it from neglect. The property was placed under protective easement with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources prior to its sale. The French and Indian War Foundation is a non-profit organization based in the City of Winchester and Frederick County. The property is a rare surviving example of vernacular architecture and is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.

Fort Colvin

Patrick Farris, president of the French and Indian War Foundation recalls his first visit to Fort Colvin before APVA acquired the site. He said he remembers "marveling at how this structure had survived, so intact, for a quarter of a millennium, and thinking at the time about what a marvelous living history site the property could become."

The French and Indian War Foundation plans to use the site to interpret and promote the significance of colonial history in the Shenandoah Valley. Farris says, "Now that the French & Indian War Foundation has acquired Colvill's Fort I am even more filled with a sense of promise that the site holds, and have already initiated the formation of an advisory committee to speed along the creation and adoption of an interpretive plan.

Louis Malon, Director of Preservation Services for APVA Preservation Virginia stated that "we are pleased that through the persistent efforts of the Historic Properties Revolving Fund Program APVA was able to secure the property and protect it in perpetuity with preservation easements." Malon continues that "Fort Colvin can now once again be the significant landmark within the community as it returns to use. The fact that it was purchased by a non-profit group shows that there are many possible solutions to the threats historic properties face."

Farris says that "Colvill's Fort is a rare physical reminder of the colonial settlement of Virginia's Great Valley, and I feel fortunate, honored and humbled to be part of the effort to preserve and interpret this precious site."

The survival of Fort Colvin's extremely rare and unique architectural features is extraordinary considering the house's years of vacancy.

About APVA's Endangered Historic Properties Revolving Fund Program:

In 1999, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources' Historic Properties Revolving Fund was transferred to the APVA. This State-financed trust fund was established in 1989 by the Virginia General Assembly and is valued at approximately $1.5 million in cash, investments, and properties. Through the Revolving Fund, the APVA helps protect and preserve publicly significant historic properties across Virginia by using options to purchase, direct acquisition, or deed of gift to acquire threatened or endangered properties. To learn more about the Revolving Fund Program or to see a complete listing of historic property for sale go to: http://www.apva.org/revolvingfund/property_for_sale.php or call Sarah Cooleen, Revolving Fund Program Manager, at 804-648-1889, ext. 320 (office) or 804-0357-1184 (cell).

About APVA Preservation Virginia:

The need to save Jamestown Island and other threatened historic properties was the reason APVA Preservation Virginia was founded in 1889. Today, the APVA is the oldest statewide preservation organization in the United States. The APVA currently owns or manages 29 historic properties throughout Virginia, representing three centuries of Virginia and American History.

Press Contact:
Tina Calhoun
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
APVA Preservation Virginia
204 West Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23220
804-648-1889 x. 316
tcalhoun@apva.org