Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan

The Richmond Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan is a direct outgrowth of the city’s Richmond 300 Master Plan (R 300), which was adopted by City Council in 2020, and amended in July 2023. In Richmond 300, historic preservation is featured in Chapter 2, “High Quality Places.” Goal 3: Historic Preservation in Richmond 300 provides a basic overview of the existing cultural resources and preservation program and identifies three (3) primary objectives for historic preservation in the city:
  1. Preserve culturally, historically, and architecturally significant buildings, sites, structures, neighborhoods, cemeteries, and landscapes that contribute to Richmond’s authenticity.
  2. Reduce the demolition of historical buildings.
  3. Broaden the constituency for historic preservation by more equally representing, preserving, and sharing sites related to traditionally under-represented groups (e.g., Native Americans, African Americans).

The plan was originally scheduled to have been passed by the Planning Commission, and sent to Council in May, 2025 for enactment. However, the Planning Commission, with no clear explanation why, instead referred it to a subcommittee for study. Please take time to read the plan, and consider supporting it as an important preservation tool by insisting the Planning Commission send it forward to Council. As the ongoing zoning “refresh” moves forward, this plan must move forward in parallel as an important tool with which to safeguard the city’s important architectural and cultural heritage.