History - There has been a neighborhood school in or around Clifton since 1869 - for 141 years! We are entering year 99 on our current site. We are grateful for the support we have received from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and Preservation Virginia. A recent presentation was also made to the Fairfax County Planning and Zoning Department's History Commission, through which their additional assistance has been offered. We are on the National Trust's website THIS PLACE MATTERS photography slide show.
"Now, as never before, preservation in Virginia is a dynamic process involving many stakeholders determining what we esteem from our past and desire to pass forward...As we contemplate a sustainable approach to planning, it makes good sense to consider that preservation is by its very nature fiscally and environmentally responsible."
Kathleen S. Kilpatrick, Director
Virginia Department of Historic Resources
2009 Bi-ennial Report to Governor and General Assembly on Stewardship of State Owned Properties
"Many people involved in making school facility decisions have little, if any, experience with the rehabilitation of older buildings. They simply cannot visualize how an older building that is structurally sound could be renovated to meet 21st-century life safety, accessibility, and educational program standards."
National Trust for Historic Preservation, Smart growth Schools factsheet
"Preservation is the ultimate recycling. Preservation by its nature is sustainability…The greenest building is the one that is already standing. Unlike many of their more recent counterparts, many historic and older buildings were built to last. Their durability gives them their renewability.”
Richard Moe, President Emeritus, National Trust for Historic Preservation
"When given a choice between rehabilitating an existing building or constructing a new building to meet the changing needs of an agency, studies show that rehabilitation projects provide greater overall economic benefits. Rehabilitation projects increase state revenue from taxes on wages generated by new jobs and on sales on goods and services, as well as local revenues through taxes on increased real estate values... Rehabilitation projects create 3.4 more jobs for every $1 million spent than for every $1 million spent on new construction."
2009 Bi-ennial Report to Governor and General Assembly on Stewardship of State Owned Properties
"Stewardship is also hampered by the perception that preservation is a more expensive or cumbersome alternative, which is simply untrue...at a time when funds for new construction are limited, the preservation of existing solidly built structures is not only environmentally sensitive, but also financially prudent."
2009 Bi-ennial Report to Governor and General Assembly on Stewardship of State Owned Properties
“By properly maintaining and making more efficient use of existing infrastructure, Virginia can save money and conserve resources.”
Former Governor Timothy M. Kaine, commented at the time of the
2009 Bi-ennial Report to Governor and General Assembly on Stewardship of State Owned Properties
At the 4th Annual Conference, “Our 20th Century” then newly elected Congressman of Virginia’s 11th District and Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Gerry Connolly kicked off the well-attended conference with the reminder of "the urgent need to preserve history - the people, places and events that have marked Fairfax County’s history..."
Fairfax County History Commission Annual Report, 2008
"Older buildings and neighborhoods in Fairfax County are part of Fairfax County’s "heritage resources" and are economic and social investments that pay dividends. However, these investments can be lost if not protected or properly cared for."
Fairfax County Government Department of Planning and Zoning website
Above is the letter sent to the FCPS School Board from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
from
Commonwealth of Virginia Dept. of Historic Preservation
from
Preservation Virginia
