Schools

UMW Historic Preservation Efforts Lauded

University recognized by state preservation group.

  • Press Release from University of Mary Washington Office of News and Public Information

The University of Mary Washington has been recognized by Preservation Virginia for establishing a task force to advise the university on preservation of its historic buildings.

Preservation Virginia is a private nonprofit organization and statewide historic preservation leader dedicated to perpetuating and revitalizing Virginia's cultural, architectural and historic heritage.

In an annual listing intended to raise awareness of threatened historic sites and encourage preservation, Preservation Virginia praised UMW for the leadership the university displayed by creating a preservation plan steering committee in response to feedback on the university’s  comprehensive plan that directs the institution’s aesthetic and architectural development for the next 10 to 15 years.

Find out what's happening in Fredericksburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The culture of preservation tends to drift to being reactionary, therefore to gain recognition on a proactive issue such as the preservation plan is quite an honor,” said Michael Spencer, assistant professor of historic preservation and primary investigator and author of the preservation plan. “The fact that an issue was recognized and assistance sought speaks volumes.”   

Founded in January at the request of President Richard V. Hurley, the task force is creating a preservation plan to provide recommendations for historic campus buildings and landscapes in conjunction with the development of the master plan. Since October 2009, UMW has worked with architectural firm Burt Hill to devise a master plan for the Fredericksburg and Stafford campuses.

Find out what's happening in Fredericksburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When completed, the preservation plan will help guide decisions and promote conservation of the university’s historic structures while also recognizing needs for change.

“The preservation department is very excited that the administration decided to create a preservation plan,” said Spencer. “We believe that this plan will greatly assist in making informed preservation decisions which concern our campus environment.”

The task force will evaluate campus structures and landscapes through research and analysis to determine architectural and historical importance. The committee will place sites within a four-tier system based on significance and integrity, with specific guidelines for each tier. In addition, the plan will recommend a framework for how the system may be implemented in association with the proposed master plan.

The steering committee is chaired by Rick Pearce, acting vice president of administration and finance. Committee members include university administration and faculty members and the student government association president, in addition to support from a staff member of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources Management. The committee aims to present the preservation plan to UMW’s Board of Visitors in September.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here