Information on the Winchester Historic District
The Winchester City website has several ways for you to check whether your property is listed in the Historic Winchester (HW) Zoning District. All properties in the Historic Winchester district are subject to review by the Winchester Board of Architectural Review for exterior alterations. If in doubt, confirm the building's status with the Winchester City Planning and Zoning Office, (540) 667-1815.
♦ Properties in the Historic District
♦ Historic District Design Guidelines
♦ Criteria for the Winchester Historic Plaque
♦ Application for the Winchester Historic Plaque
Sources for Historic Photographs
PHW's digital image collections are moving to our self-hosted gallery from Flickr. Full-size digital images can be emailed to researchers. Alternately, PHW may print 4x6 inch photographs for you ($1/photo) for pick up at the office (free) or by mail (additional shipping charges apply).
PHW's images primarily date from the 1970s to the present day. For older images, visit the Stewart Bell Jr. Archives, the Library of Virginia, or the Library of Congress.
Sources for Old House Research Materials
Winchester Architectural Inventory
Copies of the 1976 and 2011 inventory sheets, which provide an architectural summary and brief commentary on any exceptional historic significance, can be e-mailed to researchers upon request. Contact PHW.
Rural Landmarks Survey Report, Frederick County, Virginia
This report, sponsored by the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society, is an architectural survey of historic properties throughout Frederick County. Contact the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society (540) 662-6550 for additional information.
Mutual Assurance Society Records
PHW has hard copies of most of the insurance policies available at the Stewart Bell Jr. Archives.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
PHW has PDF copies of the 1885, 1891, 1897, 1903, 1908, 1912, 1921, 1927, and 1947 maps of Winchester. Copies of relevant sheets can be e-mailed to researchers upon request. Sanborn maps are also available at the Stewart Bell Jr. Archives.
Other Materials
PHW maintains a non-circulating library of local history books, articles, and newspaper clippings, as well as technical information on historic preservation and architectural resources. Not all of these items are indexed at LibraryThing. Contact PHW to see whether we may have additional information. Don't forget to check with the Stewart Bell Jr. Archives for access to census records, genealogy, indexes to obituaries, and manuscript collections. Also check the digital collections of the Library of Virginia and the Library of Congress for newspapers, photographs, documentary drawings, and recordings.
♦ PHW Library Catalog at LibraryThing
♦ PHW Historic Program and Event Files Directory
♦ Resource Links
♦ Lecture Series
♦ PHW Newsletters
♦ PHW Blog
