On Tuesday, May 14, 2024 in conjunction with Preservation Month and Preservation Virginia’s announcement of their 2024 Most Endangered Historic Sites, the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation held a well-attended Press Conference at Washington Park to announce its list. In attendance was Steven Stewart (the Caretaker’s son) who lived in the house as a youth with his sister Mary and his father.
Every year since 1996, the RVPF has announced their listing of significant historic, natural, and cultural sites in the Roanoke Valley that are in danger of being lost due to neglect, deferred maintenance, demolition, or incompatible development. The Foundation’s goal is to raise awareness of the significance of these sites, help identify options to promote their stewardship and to serve as a resource to property owners by making them aware of tools available to support the preservation of these sites.
This year, RVPF identified two impressive Tudor-Revival style houses in NW reminiscing the “Great Gatsby” era, three rustic log cabins in SW County, a former Masonic building downtown, and revisited five sites previously visited, as well as a general trend in the decline of preservation trades. On a positive note, we are pleased to have one site listed in 2019 was purchased and currently undergoing renovations and pleased to have another listed on State Preservation Virginia’s 2024 endangered list, the Washington Park Caretaker’s Cottage.
Preservation Virginia’s announcement of its list has brought attention to more than 180 sites in Virginia. We encourage individuals, organizations and local and state governments to advocate for their preservation and find solutions that will save these unique locations for future generations. We hope you will continue to support our efforts and become involved in the preservation of Roanoke’s local history.
For more information about the Foundation’s mission, events and local listing, visit www.roanokepreservation.org.
To view the Virginia sites visit www.preservationvirginia.org.
