National Trust for Historic Preservation Study Focuses on Neglect of Historic VA Hospitals

VA Hospital in Walla Walla The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently released a study on the status of the nation’s historic Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals and care facilities.  Titled Honoring our Nation’s Veterans: Saving Their Places of Health Care and Healing, the report paints a grim picture of the future of the many historic properties under the agency’s authority. The report can be accessed here. At one point, the report states: “In general, the planning process for the VA’s management of historic capital assets is of great concern, as it determines the short-term and long-term future of the VA’s capital assets.” The report includes four broad recommendations to reverse current trends that focus on: VA  management/policy development; agency staffing; facility and budget planning processes; and stakeholder involvement.  If you are a veteran, have a friend or family who is a veteran, or an interested preservationist, the report is well worth a read. In Washington state historic VA facilities include medical centers at American Lake just outside of Lakewood, and at Walla Walla.