Contact: Katie Taylor, Historic Richmond Foundation, 804.643.7407x18

HISTORIC RICHMOND FOUNDATION FOCUSES PRESERVATION EFFORTS NORTH OF BROAD STREET IN CHURCH HILL WITH LATEST PROJECT

November 10, 2003, Richmond, VA -- Historic Richmond Foundation (HRF) announced today it has purchased 609 N. 25th Street in Church Hill. This single-family residential house was built in the early 1850s as a one and a half story building on an English basement. The building has most of the original trim and floors. HRF intends to stabilize the property and re-sell it with covenants and easements to insure that the historic fabric will be preserved. HRF volunteers will gather on Saturday, November 5th, to begin the initial restoration work.

"HRF has had a hand in preserving buildings in Church Hill for nearly half a century, primarily south of E. Broad Street," said Donald L. Charles, executive director of HRF. "HRF sees north of E. Broad Street as a community of historic architectural resources that need as much attention as the preservation community can bring. HRF has a track record of success in Church Hill and plans to focus on opportunities and challenges north of Broad St."

The stabilization of the property should take 60-90 days. HRF will then market the building as single-family residence to a new owner who will renovate it to suit their personal needs and tastes. HRF and volunteers from HRF's Quoit Club will perform tasks such as removing metal awnings and aluminum siding from the porches to expose the original structure, and replacing the modern front door with historically correct four-panel Greek Revival style door. The volunteers will also remove loose plaster and point up walls, re-plaster and/or install dry wall, remove modern additions made to the interior and remove cabinets and appliances in kitchen.

"Quoit Club members are actively interested in preservation, and this is a great opportunity for us to get hands-on preservation experience," said Andy Clark, Quoit Club chairman.

In order to further protect the historic fabric, HRF will attach covenants to the building that will include exterior design review and control and the first right of refusal upon any sale.

"We are hoping to turn these covenants into an easement and let this be the beginning of an easement program," said Charles. "If we develop a critical mass of properties in the area then HRF will push for a city regulatory district of some fashion...none exist now in and around N. 25th or in any other architectural significant nodes in the area."

About Historic Richmond Foundation
Founded in 1956, HRF continues to be one of the most critical institutions in preserving Richmond's historic architectural heritage. Major projects include the resoration of Monumental Church (c1812), the National Theatre (c1924), the Byrd Park Pump House (c1890), and the revitalization of historic Monroe Ward district. HRF is located in a newly-renovated, 1836 Greek Revival house at 4 East Main Street. Through their Quoit Club, HRF offers exclusive access and tours of Richmond's most historic sites undergoing restoration.

Historic Richmond Foundation - The William Byrd Branch of APVA Preservation Virginia