Historic Richmond Foundation

HRF

History of HRF

Founded in 1935, Historic Richmond Foundation is the largest and oldest non-profit organization devoted to preserving the historic assets that define the unique character of the Richmond area. The agency has been instrumental in saving hundreds of historic structures, was a leader in the designation of the city’s first historic district (St. John’s) in Church Hill, and helped establish the city’s Commission of Architectural Review a half century ago. From its earliest efforts to save the Adam Craig house, HRF has pioneered the concept of adaptive reuse of old buildings. It maintains a special Revolving Fund to purchase, renovate and resell historic properties and publishes books about the city’s distinctive architecture.

Our Timeline: 71 Years of Preserving Richmond’s History

1935	William Byrd Branch of APVA founded
1956	HRF founded
1957	HRF purchases and begins restoring all houses in the "Pilot Block" of Church Hill
1958	Restoration of Elmira Shelton House, 1835
1959	The Council of HRF formed
1977	Woodward House, 1784, saved
1977	HRF rescues the 200 block of West Franklin Street from demolition
1979	HRF's 10-year plan concentrates on Shockoe Bottom; HRF buys Belle Bossieux Building at 101-109 N. 18th Street
1979	Mary Wingfield Scott gives HRF Linden Row, 1847; restoration completed in 1988
1980	HRF buys and restores the Goddin-Taylor House and the Ragland House in Jackson Ward, both of which were condemned
1980	HRF given the Stewart-Lee House
1981	HRF saves Old City Hall from demolition
1982	HRF's Architecture of Downtown Richmond published
1983	HRF given Monumental Church
1986	Historic Richmond Tour program started
1988	HRF's Old Richmond Today published
1989	HRF aided in restoration of the Great Ship Lock of the Kanawha Canal
1991	National Theatre, 1922 saved from demolition through purchase by HRF and the William Byrd Branch of the APVA
1991	HRF's Church Hill: The St. John's Church Historic District published
1994	HRF's Quoit Club formed to explore Richmond sites not normally open to the public
1995	HRF purchases 4-6 E. Main Street, the Allen Double House, c. 1836, as part of Monroe Ward initiative
1996	HRF publishes Richmond's Fan District
2000	HRF saves Superior Warehouse, one of the last remaining pre-Civil War warehouse in Richmond, from demolition
2001	HRF receives Save America's Treasures grant for Monumental Church
2001	Valentine Richmond History Center acquires Historic Richmond Tour program
2001	HRF publishes A Guide to Historic Richmond, booklet of historic districts in Richmond
2004	HRF's Art of Richmond begins
2004	HRF signs agreement with the City of Richmond to spearhead fund-raising for the Byrd Park Pump House, 1882
2005	HRF merges with William Byrd Branch of APVA Preservation Virginia
2005	HRF helps Springhill neighborhood become first City Old and Historic District south of the James River
2006	HRF saves Patteson-Schutte House, c. 1750

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