In 1982 a portion of Sperryville’s village, primarily along Main Streets & Rt 522, was nominated and added to the National Register of Historic Places through a process promulgated by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and administered by the National Park Service. (1982 nomination here)

The 1982 nomination describes the context of Sperryville’s historic markers as being between the years 1800-1899. However, this window unfortunately leaves out a wealth history that has made Sperryville the unique place it is today. Mills, farming & agriculture, fruit & apple growing industries, Shenandoah Valley architecture, etc all happened post 1899. For example: Did you know Sperryville was well known nationally for its apple growing industries and deemed “The Little Apple”? Yet this all happened post 1899.

Further, while contextually insufficient, the 1982 Nomination was also technologically lacking.  Strides have been made in documenting and maintaining continuity in record keeping via the use of databases, digital photography, etc.  The 1982 Nomination made use of handwriting and black and white imagery which does not lend itself well reproduction or digital transmission.

Today we know that Historic Districts add context and character to communities. Below is the proposed expansion with boundaries to include more of the history that made Sperryville, Sperryville.

UPDATES:

In July 2019 the Sperryville Community Alliance (SCA) approved an initiative to investigate expansion of Sperryville’s historic district boundaries beyond the existing 1982 nomination. The SCA believes there are far more contributing assets to the story of Sperryville which are worth documenting, maintaining and treasuring.

In September 2019 the Preliminary Information Form for the Sperryville Historic District Update and Boundary Increase was approved by the Virginia State Review Board at their quarterly board meeting. The State Review Board agreed the expansion area was potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and that an update to the original nomination would be beneficial. We are now able to proceed to the next step, creating & submitting the National Register of Historic Places nomination.

In 2020 The Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund (ESHPF) Grant Committee at the Department of Historic Resources (DHR) announced that the National Park Service (NPS) approved the Sperryville Historic District Update and Expansion funding. DHR will serve as the Project Administrator in hiring and conducting the expansion project. Read the Sperryville Historic District Update and Boundary Expansion project overview here.

Our first community wide / public Town Hall informational meeting is schedule for Tuesday December 13th, 2022 at 7PM and is hosted at Stonewall Abbey Wellness at 44 Main Street starting at 7PM. Speakers include Aubrey Von Lindern, a representative from Virginia's Department of Historic Resources as well as Maral Kalbian, a published Architectural Historian and contractee for the project. This is an informational meeting on “what is” and “what isn’t” a Historic District.

RESOURCES:

Rapphannock’s very own Historical Society is a great place to start learning about the wealth of historiy, architecture and families of Sperryville. Visit their office, resource center and museum at: www.rappahannockhistsoc.org . Pay special attention to their digital archives! Search “Sperryville”

Want to learn about the style of your house or Virginia architecture in general? Check out this presentation from Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources.

Want technical information from the State Housing Preservation Office about the Historic Nomination processs? Download it here.

Virginia Dept of Historic Resources: www.dhr.virginia.gov

National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places.

Check back here for updates on this initiative!

Quick FAQs:

Q: What is a Historic District?
A: sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. National Register properties have significance to the history of their community state, or the nation.

Q: What are the results of being in a Historic District?
A: In addition to honorific recognition, listing in the National Register has the following results for historic properties:

• Consideration in planning for Federal, Federally licensed, and Federally assisted projects

• Eligibility for certain tax provisions -- Owners of properties listed in the National Register may be eligible for a 20% investment tax credit.

• Qualification for Federal grants for historic preservation, when funds are available.

Q: Can I modify, remodel, or renovate, my historic property?
A: Under Federal Law, the listing of a property in the National Register places no restrictions on what a non-federal owner may do with their property up to and including destruction, unless the property is involved in a project that receives Federal assistance, usually funding or licensing/permitting.

Q: Do I have to ask someone before I change the color of my house / put on an addition / re-do my driveway / etc?
A: No! This process does not create an Architectural Review Board nor does it impede you from doaing anything you like to your property.

Q: Will my property taxes go up?
A: No! This program has nothing to do with the local taxing authority. Further, if you improve your property, you may be eligible for federal and state tax credits!

Q: Are there insurance regulation implications of a house being listed in the National Register?
A: Listing in the National Register places neither restrictions nor requirements on a private property owner. You may do with the property as you wish.

Q: How do I get a plaque?
A: Unfortunately the National Register of Historic Places does not issue plaques as a result of listing; rather they leave it up to the individual owners if they are interested in having one. Virginia’s Dept of Historic Resources may have a preferred plaque style or wording with links to manufacturers.