FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Historic Richmond Foundation Closes on Patteson-Schutte House

(Richmond, VA. March 8, 2006) Historic Richmond Foundation announces the purchase of the mid-18^th century Patteson-Schutte House, one Richmond’s oldest surviving structures. “Our purchase eliminates concerns that the one and a half story house might be razed for development,” said John Owen Gwathmey, president of the Foundation, who added, “The developer has been a model of cooperation in our negotiations to secure a safe future for this rare example of pre-Revolutionary architecture in the Richmond area.”

Notified in 2005 that the house was scheduled for demolition to make way for a new residential development project, Historic Richmond approached the owner, offering to acquire the house using its revolving fund program. The house was originally the residence of James Patteson, overseer of a south side plantation owned by William Byrd III, son of the founder of Richmond. Having remained in the hands of descendents, the house retains many of its original Colonial features, including window frames, doors, flooring decorative ironwork, and original brickwork. As a result of discussions, the developer agreed to redesign the subdivision plans to allow the Patteson-Schutte House to remain on its original site with enough land to preserve some of its historic setting.

Prior to its resale, Historic Richmond Foundation will place protective interior and exterior easements on the house to ensure its integrity into perpetuity. The Foundation will also retain a right of first refusal to allow its reacquisition if necessary.

About Historic Richmond Foundation:

Since 1956, Historic Richmond Foundation has been the touchstone for historic preservation in Richmond. Through leadership and education efforts, the Foundation has saved hundreds of historic buildings from demolition.

In July, the Foundation merged with Richmond’s other venerable preservation group, the William Byrd Branch of APVA Preservation Virginia. Operating as Historic Richmond Foundation, the new nonprofit, while a separate corporation, is pleased to be a part of the APVA family, and will act as the agency that is dedicated solely to preservation efforts in the greater Richmond area. Preservation efforts in Richmond will now advance with one strong and united voice.

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