Virginia is a state that downright seeps with historical significance with sites ranging from Civil War battlefields to the homes of U.S. Presidents with many other wonderful and ancient (as far as our country goes) but lesser known locations in addition. Among those other treasures of the past are sites that are under great threat from modern development as well as the ravages of time and are only now having protection sought. One example of this is a small cemetery in Charlottesville which was founded after the Civil War by freed slaves which was later abandoned and largely forgotten. However, interest in sites such as those is growing as local citizens seek to protect their heritage with the help of local government and organizations dedicated to preservation. As our nation faces growth and change that is unprecedented in human history, it is of great importance to protect areas of historical significance. Let us hope that more dedicated individuals follow the example of those in Virginia when it comes to making sure that parts of out shared past remain as monuments to those who came before.
See Joe Heim, Virginia’s most endangered places include black cemeteries, a legislative office complex, and a former slave dwelling, The Washington Post, May 3, 2016.
Special thanks to Lewis Saret for bringing this article to my attention.
