Clermont Foundation

HISTORIC PRESERVATION: The Foundation demonstrates best historic preservation practices and conducts education programs about them for special interest groups, students, and the general public, using the dozen historic buildings (18th and 19th centuries) above ground and the archaeological resources being protected underground. Repairs to historic buildings are used not only as active opportunities for demonstrations of best practices and appropriate technologies, but also to conduct further research on and documentation. In 2024, the $472,000 National Park Service grant to rehab 3 buildings was bid out and archaeology completed. Work was largely finished on the Springhouse and Smokehouse and begun on the Owner House, with public tours and social media postings. HVAC replacement in the Owner House was completed, as was repainting of the 1823 duplex Slave Quarter.

HISTORY: The Foundation conducts research and education programs related to the history of the farm, its regional and economic context, and the people who have lived and worked here. The Foundation maintains archives of family papers and research materials related to the farm, and collections of historic furnishings, objects, and archaelogical materials. All are available to external researchers. In 2024 The Foundation re-inventoried and moved its on-site archaeological artifact inventory from 15 years of projects to the state collections of the VA Dept. of Historic Resources. The archaeological curriculum used for hands-on tours by students was restructured based on national models. Scheduled public tours were increased. Research and copies of an 18th century local chair were made for a joint program with the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley.