Waterford Foundation

Founded in 1943, the Waterford Foundation is one of America’s first community-based historic preservation organizations. Our mission is to preserve the historic buildings and open spaces of the National Historic Landmark of Waterford, Virginia, and, through education, to increase the public’s knowledge of life and work in an early American rural community. We invite you to join us in fulfilling this mission as a Waterford Foundation member, donor, and/or volunteer.

The Foundation strives to preserve the rural landscape within and adjacent to the Waterford National Historic Landmark, as well as the historic character of Waterford’s architecture. This mission has become increasingly important as growth and development of Loudoun County has exploded. In recent years, the Foundation has acquired and placed under permanent easement a number of farms within the Landmark District. In turn, these properties have been divided into large conservation lots and sold to buyers who value the preservation of these historic farms. The properties have subsequently been “redeveloped” by their new owners as horse farms, wineries, or carefully managed open space designed to preserve the historic vistas surrounding the village of Waterford.