Vandalia Redevelopment

Category: Business

Review: Fax:(304) 363-3548 Fax:(304) 368-1566 Laura Kurtz Kuhns, President/Chief Executive Officer

Description: Driven by the mission of“economic revitalization through historic preservation,” the Vandalia Heritage Foundation is working to build a strong foundation for North Central West Virginia’s future. Since its inception in 1998, Vandalia has developed an accomplished portfolio—serving as a key partner in over fifty revitalization projects and programs throughout the region.

Through the efforts of Vandalia’s highly qualified team, composed of a distinguished Board of Directors, its knowledgeable staff and consultants— experts in preservation and community and economic development, the innovative non-profit organization is transforming communities through the preservation of the built and unbuilt environments within northern West Virginia.

Vandalia's efforts to improve the quality of life in communities and neighborhoods throughout northern West Virginia extend beyond "bricks and mortar" rehabilitation projects, also into preserving the 'unbuilt environment,' or the rich cultural heritage of the region.

One example of this is Vandalia's LEGACY Program, which has the goal of "collecting, preserving, and communicating family, local, and regional histories in a variety of venues." This initiative is carried out through five Legacy charter sites in four counties--Gilmer, Calhoun, Preston, and Mineral, and a LEGACY Headquarters in Fairmont.

In many of these endeavors, Vandalia's emphasis is on professionalizing the effort--bringing various entities and resources together to facilitate a successful outcome to an important community project.