We have great news to ring in the New Year. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources approved the Little River Rural Historic District (LRRHD) on December 12 in Richmond. The State will add the district to the Virginia Landmarks Register and nominate it for the National Register of Historic Places. This brings statewide and national recognition to the breathtakingly beautiful and historic 23,000+ acres of land stretching from The Plains up to Middleburg between Cromwell’s Run Historic District and the Bull Run Mountains.
This honor does not affect landowners’ rights, but it does allow landowners in this district to apply for state and national tax credits if they decide to restore their contributing resources. There are 1445 contributing resources (buildings, sites, structures and objects) in this district. It also “shines a little light” on our area in terms of educating the public on the district’s historic character and land ethic.
This district has had many boosters over the years. In 2007, the Goose Creek Association, led by then Chair, Butter Strother, sponsored the formation of this district by raising the funds necessary to hire architectural historian Cheryl Hanback Shepherd, who undertook the comprehensive research necessary for the nomination. There are almost 500 contributing properties in the district. The nomination has been a long process and we are thrilled with this awesome accomplishment.
The nomination document is available in PDF format or on a CD (free to those who contributed to the endeavor and $10 otherwise).
We will further celebrate this occasion at our Spring Cocktail Party on Friday, April 25 which will be held at a beautiful, historic home located on Snickersville Turnpike. Stay tuned!
