FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New project aims to preserve, digitize, and share the history of the Roanoke Valley for future generations.
ROANOKE, VA — The Roanoke Valley Heritage Center (RVHC) has officially launched a new community-driven initiative focused on discovering, documenting, preserving, and sharing the rich history of the Roanoke Valley and surrounding region.
The project is dedicated to creating a growing digital archive of historical artifacts, photographs, railroad memorabilia, advertising pieces, business history, documents, postcards, maps, ephemera, and community stories that help tell the story of Southwest Virginia and the people who helped build it.
Every year, historically significant items are discarded, lost, damaged, or simply forgotten. The Roanoke Valley Heritage Center was established to help preserve these pieces of local history while making them accessible to the public through digital archives, educational content, future exhibits, and community outreach efforts.
The organization’s current focus is the development of a comprehensive online archive where visitors can explore historical artifacts and learn about the businesses, industries, railroads, organizations, landmarks, and individuals that shaped the region.
Over the coming months, RVHC plans to significantly expand its online collection through ongoing digitization efforts and the documentation of historical artifacts from both private and community collections. The goal is to create one of the largest publicly accessible digital collections dedicated to the history of the Roanoke Valley and surrounding communities.
The project is actively seeking:
• Historical artifact contributions
• Vintage photographs and documents
• Railroad memorabilia
• Advertising and promotional items
• Postcards, maps, and ephemera
• Local business history
• Community stories and oral histories
• Founding supporters and business partners
• Financial contributions to support preservation efforts
Support received today will help fund artifact preservation, digitization, photography, research, website development, future exhibits, educational outreach, and the long-term vision of establishing a dedicated Heritage Center location where portions of the collection can be displayed and experienced by the public.
In addition to building a digital archive, RVHC plans to develop traveling exhibits, educational programs, community events, and a future Heritage Center featuring rotating displays, a tangible artifact collection, and a heritage-focused gift shop.
Community members, collectors, businesses, organizations, and local historians are encouraged to participate by contributing artifacts, sharing stories, supporting preservation efforts, or becoming founding supporters of the project.
To learn more, explore the growing digital archive, contribute historical materials, or support the project, visit:
RoanokeValleyHeritage.org
About the Roanoke Valley Heritage Center
The Roanoke Valley Heritage Center is a regional preservation initiative dedicated to documenting, preserving, and sharing the history of the Roanoke Valley and surrounding communities through digital archives, artifact preservation, historical research, educational content, and future public exhibits.
Media & General Inquiries
Roanoke Valley Heritage Center
Contact: Online Contact page
RoanokeValleyHeritage.org
Inquiries & Contributions Welcome