Loudoun County residents have long treasured the county's historic, archaeological, and cultural resources.

Structures, roadways, environmental features, scenic vistas, and villages have been identified as significant resources and many are recognized as such by national, state, and local organizations and governments.

The Planning Department provides administrative and professional support for preservation of Loudoun's historic and cultural resources. The county does this by administering seven Historic and Cultural Conservation Districts and one Historic Roadways District, implementing the Heritage Preservation Plan, and protecting archaeological resources from most development, among other methods. The county is also a Certified Local Government (CLG), which allows it to compete for federal grant money earmarked for local preservation.

The Historic District Interactive Website is one project funded by CLG grant money. This site teaches Loudoun County residents about its historic districts. A text version of the interactive guide is also available.

More information on the county’s Historic Preservation Program is available by following the links below:

• Archaeological Resources
• Heritage Preservation Plan
• Historic and Cultural Conservation Districts
• Historic District Review Committee

Board of Supervisors Adopts Amendments to Heritage Preservation Plan

At the February 9, 2009, public hearing, the Board of Supervisors suspended the rules and adopted the Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM) 2008-01, Draft Amended Historic Preservation Plan. More information about the plan can be found on the Heritage Preservation Plan webpage.

Board of Supervisors Adopts Updated Historic District Guidelines

On December 8, 2008, the Board of Supervisors adopted ZOAM 2008-001, Historic District Guidelines Update. The updated Historic District Guidelines have been divided according to historic district. The uniqueness of the Waterford and Goose Creek Historic Districts necessitated individual guidelines for each district, while the similarities between Aldie, Bluemont, Oatlands, and Taylorstown (ABOT) Historic Districts made it suitable for these guidelines to be included into one document. Starting immediately, the Historic District Review Committee and Planning Staff will use the updated guidelines to evaluate all Certificate of Appropriateness (CAPP) applications. CAPP applicants should also refer to the appropriate updated guidelines for guidance.

• Aldie, Bluemont, Oatlands, and Taylorstown (ABOT) Historic District Guidelines
• Goose Creek Historic District Guidelines 
• Waterford Historic District Guidelines 

To view the guidelines, you will need the Adobe Reader, which may be downloaded here for free.

More details about the update of the Historic District Guidelines are available here.