WESTMORELAND—Stratford Hall Historic Preserve recently was awarded an $835,000 grant from the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund Grant Program for restoration efforts and to improve accessibility around the circa 1738 Great House.
This project is one of 35 preservation projects across the Commonwealth to receive grant funding through the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund, administered by the Department of Historic Resources (DHR).
“Stratford Hall is one of the great houses in American history. It was home to the Lees of Virginia who were instrumental in the establishment of our nation, and it was built by enslaved Africans and African Americans using materials grown or harvested on site. It is an extraordinary place that continues to educate, inspire, and influence Americans,” said president Karen Daly.
As the home of revolutionaries, including the only two brothers to sign the Declaration of Independence, Stratford Hall has launched several projects focused on historic preservation, interpretation and educational programming around the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, prioritizing the visitor experience.
The Virginia 250 Preservation Fund grant will allow Stratford Hall to significantly improve accessibility and the visitor experience by updating the public restrooms and pathways around the Great House so they are ADA compliant and replacing three roofs of buildings integral to the history and interpretation of Stratford Hall.
“We are grateful to the Department of Historic Resources and to the Commonwealth for this important grant to Stratford Hall,” said board chairman Virginia U. Collier. “It will have a powerful and lasting impact on the Stratford Hall visitor experience, both during the Semiquincentennial celebration and in the years to come.”
Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the General Assembly established the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund to support capital improvement projects at historic sites and museums that anticipate a significant increase in visitation around the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. DHR received 166 completed applications for the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund Grant Program. All grant recipients must match at least one-third of the state award with funds from other sources or in-kind services.
“Thank you to the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation and to the countless individuals who have contributed more than $300,000 already toward replacing roofs, helping us to match this grant,” said Daly. “We look forward to sharing more information on these projects and activities to commemorate the nation’s Semiquincentennial and impact the Lees had in the founding of our nation.”
