Historic Fincastle, Inc. was incorporated in 1968 as a non-profit organization devoted to protecting and preserving the historic town of Fincastle, Virginia. It’s parent organization, The Council for the Beautification and Preservation of Fincastle, was formed in 1967. The town of Fincastle has been described as a virtual museum of 18th. and 19th. Centuries American architecture with some dwellings dating back to the late 1770’s. The town’s historic district is comprised of approximately 100 buildings. It received both state and national designation in 1969. During the past 40 years, Historic Fincastle, Inc. (HFI) has contributed thousands of dollars and volunteer hours towards fulfilling its mission. A summary of contributions is as follows: 1. 1968 – Planned and held the first “Fall Festival.” Proceeds used to restore the 1897 Old Jail as a Library. 2. 1969 –Spent $ 16,000 to restore an 1809 building in the Court House Complex that was later used by the County as office space. 3. 1969 - Applied and received designation for the Town of Fincastle as a historic district in both the state and national registers of Historic Places. 4. Early 1970’s -Coordinated the underground placement of utility wires around Court House Square with Appalachian Power Company, Roanoke & Botetourt Telephone Company, the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors, and the Fincastle Town Council. 5. 1976- Restored the Crowder House on Church Street (returned it to the original 1781 log house) at a cost of $ 8,000. 6. 1977 -Purchased the Douglas House on Main Street (now the Court House Café) with protective covenants for $ 19,000, then contributed another $6000 to the owner to restore porches in 1989. 7. 1978 – Assisted in the restoration of the blacksmith shop in cooperation with the Wysong family. 8. 1979 - Built a reproduction Gazebo at the Big Spring Public Park at a cost of $ 3,500. 9. 1981 - Purchased Hayth’s Hotel from County Board of Supervisors then sold it with protective covenants. 10. 1982 - Received a $ 25,000 grant from the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission to restore the James Matten Early Cabin. It was completed in 1987 with an additional $ 53,000 contributed by HFI. 11. 1983 – Purchased and restored the Saddler’s Shop on Church Street for $ 30,000. 12. 1990 – constructed a new Blacksmith Shop located behind the Wysong Black- smith Shop Museum – now used as the HFI Office. Other contributions made by HFI throughout its 40 year history include the purchase of 3 benches for town sidewalks, the establishment of an HFI scholarship for a rising college junior, and the donation of $ 10,000 to the Botetourt County Museum to assist with the renovation of the outside stairs and back porches. Like many non-profit, voluntary organizations in the past 10 years, HFI began to lose both members and financial resources. In 2002, its Board of Directors took stock of the reality of the situation and devised a strategic plan that re-energized the organization. Referred to as the Phoenix Report, the plan identified four goals: 1) Organization 2) Preservation 3) Education and Outreach and 4) Community Prosperity. Each year HFI Board of Directors approves a plan of action for the year, click here for the 2008 HFI Action Plan. Click here for the Free Adobe Reader so you can read and print Adobe Files.