Why Winchester?
Since its founding in 1752, Winchester has been a special place made so by special people. Its growth and development has paralleled that of our nation, from an agrarian outpost to an industrial and commercial center; from a frontier town to a place with outstanding cultural and educational institutions.

National figures have put their imprint on this community - from George Washington, Gen. Stonewall Jackson, and Adm. Richard Byrd to modern-day business leaders and top government officials. This rich, diverse history is reflected in the buildings, places, and spaces that comprise Winchester and its environs.

The History of PHW
Since its founding in 1964 Preservation of Historic Winchester (PHW) has successfully endeavored to preserve these places for the community and nation. Sparked by a proposal to demolish of a significant Federal-style residence that year, PHW has advocated for the preservation of the community's architectural heritage. Through the work of PHW a National Register Historic District was created, a local preservation ordinance adopted, a local historic district established, and a Board of Architectural Review created to monitor changes to select historic buildings.

PHW created the Jennings Revolving Loan Fund in the 1970s to protect and return to the free market more than 75 historic structures. It continues today to monitor changes to those buildings to insure their preservation. PHW also makes loans to property owners, thus enabling them to maintain the historic character of these structures, and the historic district. Over the decades PHW has sponsored educational programs and seminars, kids' camps, annual house tours, and field trips that inspire, educate, and assist property owners and government officials to sustain the preservation efforts.

Above all, PHW strives to foster a preservation ethic in the community that has permeated the thinking, actions, and public policy of Winchester's citizens and government.

PHW's Mission Statement
(As stated in the by-laws, revised April 2003)
Preservation of Historic Winchester, Inc., organized by concerned members of the community and incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, exists for the purpose of safeguarding the heritage of the Winchester and Frederick County community and for assuring a quality of life for tomorrow represented by the best of the area's past. To the end that this goal may be encouraged among the people, and the charm of their community maintained and improved, this organization shall, through a program of education, enlist support for and participate in the preservation, restoration and ownership of sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant to the cultural, social, political, economic, and architectural history of the Winchester, Virginia area.

The Corporation shall be able to receive easements and place covenants on properties that are of historic and/or architectural value or which significantly influence properties of historical and/or architectural value. If the Corporation ceases to exist, all easements and rights to enforce covenants shall pass to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

The W. Raymond Jennings Fund was established in 1974 as a vehicle for purchasing neglected or threatened historic buildings and reselling them, after adding protective covenants and/or easements.