West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office

About

The mission of the Department of Arts, Culture and History’s State Historic Preservation Office is to encourage, inform, support, and participate in the efforts of the people of West Virginia to identify, recognize, preserve and protect West Virginia’s prehistoric and historic structures, objects and sites.

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) believes the value of historic and prehistoric properties is intrinsic and therefore worthy of protection. Their preservation can stabilize neighborhoods, stimulate private investment, provide affordable housing, revitalize downtown activities, attract tourists and enhance community pride. Our office works toward achievement of these goals.

Our office offers two types of grants. The first, Survey & Planning grants, provides funding for conducting architectural/archaeological surveys, National Register nominations, predevelopment plans, heritage education projects. The funding source for this grant program is the Historic Preservation Fund, National Park Service. The second, Development grants, offers funding for the rehabilitation of properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a contributing property in a historic district and/or archaeological development of a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The funding source for this grant program is appropriated by the WV Legislature, through Lottery Funds. Applicants should consult with the Grants Coordinator at the SHPO to discuss requirements and procedures for applying.

The Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit program offers federal and state government-sponsored income tax credits for qualifying work done on income-producing, depreciable properties throughout the state. Applicants whose projects adhere to the Secretary of the Interior\’s Standards for Rehabilitation and address repairs to a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places can benefit from total tax credits of 45% of investment: West Virginia offers tax credits of 25% of the qualified rehabilitation expenses and the federal government offers 20%. 

An application must be filed through the SHPO. Applicants should consult with the Tax Credit Coordinator at the SHPO to discuss eligibility of properties, procedure for applying, and building rehabilitation plans.