Photo courtesy of Buchanan TIS
A special event in the 187-year history of Buchanan’s most significant 19th century building, the 1839 Wilson Warehouse, was held at noon on Friday, Sept. 18. Through a grant from the Commonwealth’s VA250 Commission and with local funds, a groundbreaking ceremony celebrated the beginning of construction on an annex to the building on Lowe Street.
The new building will connected to the east side of the building by an enclosed walkway. The annex will contain ADA-compliant restrooms and an ADA-compliant alternate entry and exit for the historic structure.
Graphic courtesy of Buchanan TIS
Owned by the non-profit Buchanan Town Improvement Society (TIS) since 1937, the building has figured prominently in civic activities, private events and historical presentations. The society’s volunteer members work continually to preserve the building and to make it accessible to the public. The Wilson Warehouse, opened in 1839, was the center of commerce in Buchanan dating to the years prior, during and after the era of the James River & Kanawha Canal (1851-1881).
Designed by architect Derek Cundiff, in coordination with the TIS and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the annex will pay homage to the 1839 building in accordance with state and federal guidelines for construction projects that are adjacent to historic structures.
During construction, efforts will be made to protect existing mature plantings and the extensive root system of the Warehouse’s English elm tree, designated as the largest such tree in Virginia. Local contractor Mark Dunbar will oversee construction. Dunbar’s firm is currently constructing the addition and renovation of the Buchanan Theatre, another significant project in the Town of Buchanan.
The Town Improvement Society was one of 35 historic organizations in Virginia to receive a VA250 Commission Grant. Established by the General Assembly in 2020, VA250 serves to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the Independence of the United States in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As part the VA250 mission, the Commonwealth of Virginia established preservation funds for grants, each requiring a one-third local match.
Assistance with the grant process was provided by Delegate Terry Austin, who also assisted the Buchanan Theatre in receiving a state grant. An extensive application and review process was involved with the Town Improvement Society being awarded a VA250 grant. Other VA250 grant recipients included Colonial Williamsburg and Monticello.
~ Town Improvement Society
