The Library of Virginia’s State Records Center is much more than a warehouse for documents. It serves as a guardian of the Commonwealth’s institutional memory, a cornerstone of public accountability, and a vital resource for citizens, researchers, and government agencies alike. The ongoing expansion, designed by Enteros Design and now under construction, will greatly enhance the Center’s ability to protect, store, and provide access to the documentary heritage of Virginia.
The Expansion: Innovative Design
Enteros Design’s expansion of the State Records Center is a direct response to the growing demand for secure, high-capacity storage. The new 21,600-square-foot addition will house approximately two million additional items, including archives collections for Virginia Commonwealth University, using high-bay, high-density mobile shelving systems. To accommodate these towering storage units, the building features a clear interior height of 41 feet, requiring a robust and innovative structural approach.
Instead of the conventional steel frame, Enteros Design specified load-bearing architectural precast concrete wall panels and a long-span precast concrete roof. This solution provides the durability and environmental control essential for archival storage while enabling an exceptionally rapid construction timeline. The exterior structure was erected in just three weeks, a process that might have taken up to six months using traditional methods. With the exterior complete, roofing and sealant work are swiftly progressing to make the structure watertight, allowing interior mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to move forward several months ahead of schedule.
When construction concludes in 2026, the facility will be ready for the installation of its new shelving systems and the next generation of archival operations. The expansion not only increases capacity but also strengthens the Center’s infrastructure for environmental control, fire protection, and security, ensuring the long-term preservation of Virginia’s most important public records.
The Role of the State Records Center
At its core, the State Records Center serves as a secure repository for inactive but legally significant records from state agencies and local governments. These materials are preserved under carefully controlled environmental and security conditions to ensure their integrity over time. Although the records are no longer part of agencies’ daily operations, they remain crucial for audits, oversight, legal verification, and historical research. Ownership of the records stays with the originating agency, and access is strictly regulated. No document can be retrieved without proper authorization.
What Lives Inside: Notable Documents and Collections
The importance of the Center’s mission becomes clear when you consider the range of materials preserved within the Library of Virginia’s records program. Among its holdings are governors’ correspondence dating back to the Revolutionary era, a remarkable collection that includes letters about military campaigns, Native American relations, and the challenges of early statehood. The Center also manages World War II separation notices that document the service and postwar transition of Virginia’s veterans, and it supports “Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative,” which preserves registers and documents recording the experiences of enslaved and free Black Virginians.
Why It Matters: Now and for the Future
This project represents far more than a physical expansion. It is an investment in operational efficiency, historical stewardship, and public service. By expanding capacity, the Center prevents record backlogs that could compromise preservation or delay access. Its new structural system provides exceptional environmental stability, protecting fragile paper and film records from fluctuations in temperature or humidity. The accelerated construction timeline also means that the new space will be operational years sooner, enabling faster response to agency needs and public requests.
Ultimately, the expansion ensures that the Library of Virginia’s State Records Center can continue to fulfill its mission: safeguarding the Commonwealth’s governmental, legal, and cultural history while providing secure, timely, and transparent access to the records that define Virginia’s story. From Revolutionary War correspondence to suffrage petitions and modern administrative documents, these records connect Virginians to their past and preserve the foundation of their future.