2016 Virginia's Most Endangered Historic Places revealed

(Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A preservation group's annual list of Virginia's most endangered historic places includes African-American cemeteries, a plantation slave dwelling plundered by treasure hunters and the General Assembly Building.

Preservation Virginia said Tuesday that African-American cemeteries statewide are endangered by development, neglect and vandalism. For example, the Daughters of Zion Cemetery in Charlottesville has deteriorated since an organization established to take care of it disbanded in 1933.

Recommended Videos



The preservation group says the slave house at the Oak Hill plantation near Danville was compromised by relic hunters from the Discovery Channel series "Rebel Gold" in 2014. The group says historians fear the publicity will lead to further digs there and elsewhere in Virginia.

Richmond's General Assembly Building is targeted for replacement amid uncertainty about the opportunity for public input on preserving historic elements.