RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Nine preservation projects in Central Virginia have been awarded grant funding through the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund. On Friday, Jan. 17, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that 35 preservation projects from across the Commonwealth, with nine located in Central Virginia, have been awarded nearly $20 million in total funding through the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund. The following are the nine preservation projects located in Central Virginia that have been awarded funds through the grant program: City Point Historic Shiloh Lodge Museum in the City of Hopewell Monumental Church Interior Lighting Project in the City of Richmond Accessibility at Patrick Henry's Scotchtown in Hanover County's Beaverdam area The Mecca Theater Project in the town of Chase City in Mecklenburg County Historic Courthouse Restoration Project in Fluvanna County's Palmyra area Pine Slash Revitalization in Hanover County's Mechanicsville area Pamunkey Indian Tribe: Cultural Campus Revitalization in King William County Francis Lightfoot Lee's Menokin Home Rehabilitation Project in the town of Warsaw in Richmond County VMHC 250th Initiative: Convening the Commonwealth Through History & Civics in the City of Richmond According to officials, Youngkin and the General Assembly established the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund in the Commonwealth's 2024-2026 biennial budget to support capital improvement projects at historic sites and museums that anticipate a significant increase in visitation in 2026, which will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. “As the United States of America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, there is no better time to show the world the essential role that Virginia has played in our Nation’s founding,” Youngkin said. “These investments in historic properties will allow them to showcase their significant cultural value, preserving them for future generations.”  According to Youngkin's office, the projects that are set to receive awards include efforts to stabilize and repair historic buildings to ensure that visitors can continue to benefit from their educational resources for years to come. Officials said nearly half of the 35 selected projects include enhancements to accessibility features to serve more visitors at these sites. RELATED: ‘I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams’: Retracing roots from Virginia plantations to Richmond TV news To view all 35 preservation projects set to receive awards from the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund, visit the Department of Historic Resources' website.