Historic documentation preserves the aspects of a community that will follow it into the next generations. The Wythe County Historical Society, with Wythe County, is aiding in a historical survey to be conducted by Hanbury Preservation Consulting and The College of William and Mary in the coming months.

At a meeting of community leaders and researcher Mary Ruffin Hanbury on Nov. 28 at the Heritage Preservation Center, the group discussed what steps will be taken before field studies for the survey begin.

A main focus of the meeting was how to get the residents of Wythe County involved. As noted by the surveys intentions, the residents of the county are as beneficial as the structures themselves.

The project will consist of completion of a county-wide architectural survey identifying properties dating from circa 1940 and earlier. Priorities for survey include previously undocumented significant structures dating to the 18th and 19th centuries, buildings and sites of special significance from the first half of the 20th century, identification of any potentially eligible historic districts and recommendation of district boundaries complete with accurate mapping.

Much of the information Hanbury hopes to gather is only known by those in the community. As said by Hanbury at the meeting, many of the structures may be located on private property with the existence only known by those who see the land every day.

Because of this, Hanbury and the community leaders involved plan to go to great lengths to reach the communities of Wythe County. Public meetings, a traditional venue for community input, will be held numerous times to encourage residents to suggest structures and gain an understanding of what will be taking place.

In less conventional means, Hanbury, with help from the Wythe County Public Information Department, plans to launch a Facebook page dedicate to gathering information from residents and allow comments regarding the survey. In addition, an email distribution list will be compiled from all community leaders and their organizations email lists to reach all aspects of Wythe County’s online community.

Finally, a Webpage will soon be made public where those interested can go to find out more about the survey, give information and comment on the process. The page will be found through the research Website, www.hanburypreservation.com, and though a link on the county’s Website, www.wytheco.org.

Hanbury hopes that all of Wythe County’s past and present residents will come together to aid in the completion of this study. In addition, she hopes the residents will see the discovery of Wythe County’s historical architectural heritage for the wonder it is, just as she does.

“We’re really excited,” said Hanbury. “This is going to be a lot of fun.”

Every resident is urged to contact the historical society or Hanbury Preservation Consulting with information regarding a historical structure or the remains of a historical structure for the study. Hanbury can be reached by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling (919) 828-1905.

The survey is funded by a $35,000 grant from the Department of Historical Resources, a $10,000 grant from the Wythe County Historical Society and $25,000 from Wythe County.

The college feels that although sporadic studies have occurred, coverage has been geographically erratic and the level of documentation inconsistent. The 2011-2012 historic architecture survey is intended to identify major deficiencies in county-wide survey coverage.

Data collected from the survey will be used for recognition and protection of important properties in short and long range land use planning, to encourage preservation easements and land conservation and to help inform the public and serve as an educational tool. The project will support the county’s heritage tourism and economic development programs, and will facilitate federally mandated environmental review projects.