Loudoun County, VA has received statewide recognition for its historic preservation efforts. The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA), Virginia's leading preservation association, has awarded Loudoun County the 2008 "Outstanding Service in Community Preservation Award" in recognition of the county's Historic Districts interactive website.

The award was presented at a reception January 21, 2008, in Richmond. The website, www.loudoun.gov/historic, was launched in 2007, and highlights the six county-designated historic districts of Aldie, Bluemont, Goose Creek, Oatlands, Taylorstown and Waterford. The website is designed as an educational tool in which property owners and community leaders in each district explain the historic significance of each area, the importance of local designation and the benefits and responsibilities of owning property in a district. The website employs a combination of audio, video and high resolution photography which allows users of the site to virtually tour the districts.

The website was funded in part with Federal Certified Local Government grant money awarded to the county though the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. The project was the result of a collaborative effort between the Loudoun County Planning Department; Boru T.V., the consultant responsible for the development of the website; and residents in the historic districts, particularly Waterford, who dedicated many hours of volunteer time to the project.

For more information contact Heidi Siebentritt, Department of Planning, 703-777-0246.