Greg Werkheiser

Founding Partner
703.408.2002

Greg Werkheiser’s mission is connecting the lessons of our past to the leadership of our future. He believes this is achieved by protecting, conveying, and applying wisdom gleaned from history and diverse cultures to solve modern challenges and build a better society. To achieve these goals, has Greg pursued three professional practices – cultural heritage and civil rights law, augmented reality technology entrepreneurship, and innovation in leadership education.

Greg is a Founding Partner of Cultural Heritage Partners, the world’s premier law firm in its field. Through this law firm, Greg serves clients worldwide who are committed to addressing complex challenges related to the preservation and protection of artifacts, art, architecture, landscapes, sacred places, and living traditions. Greg’s advocacy has achieved significant victories, particularly in the realm of Indigenous and Black cultural heritage and civil rights.

In addition, Greg is Co-founder and CEO of ARtGlass, the global leader in bringing augmented reality to cultural tourism. ARtGlass groundbreaking software and insights empower iconic museums, historic sites, and cultural attractions to provide AR tours to millions of visitors, conveying wisdom through intellectual and emotional immersive storytelling.

Greg has also pioneered influential new methods of leadership education. Greg spent over two decades establishing and leading five national centers. These groundbreaking institutions include the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia, which focuses on bipartisan civic engagement and civic capacity engagement among youth; the Phoenix Project, promoting social entrepreneurship and civic capacity-building in distressed communities; the George Mason University Center for Social Innovation; the Presidio Institute, specializing in cross-sector leadership; and the ARCUS academy, providing emerging leaders with training in heritage preservation. The Carnegie Foundation for Teaching recognized Greg as one of America’s top civic educators.

In all such pursuits, Greg collaborated with teams of talented and dedicated colleagues.

Early in his career, Greg was heavily involved in direct political service, which included standing as a candidate for the Virginia legislature, writing speeches for a President and First Lady, US Ambassador to France, and US Senator, and advocating for state investment in public higher education.

In October 2023, Greg and Marion Werkheiser received the prestigious Simons Medal of Excellence.

Greg is an alumnus of the College of William and Mary, his education made possible thanks to a stranger who learned of Greg’s financial situation and helped fund his tuition, in return for Greg’s pledge to continue the cycle of generosity. Greg earned his law degree from the University of Virginia.

Greg, along with his wife Marion, daughter Amelia, and extended family call Richmond, Virginia home. His hobbies include adventurous travel, creative writing, pun-making (black belt), and befriending wild crows.

REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS

Advised the Mayor of Richmond, VA, in the successful removal of 13 city-owned “Lost-Cause” Confederate monuments from the infamous Monument Avenue. Represented 50 neighbors living in direct lines of sight to the Robert E. Lee Monument, filing a state Supreme Court brief in successful litigation securing the monument’s removal. Represented the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia in taking ownership of Richmond’s removed monuments.
Represented the Montpelier Descendants Committee, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring the narratives of enslaved Americans at plantation sites in Central Virginia and comprised of the descendants of those enslaved individuals, in their successful efforts to achieve shared governance on the board of U.S. President James Madison’s Montpelier, the first achievement of its kind in the museum world. Represented the Montpelier Foundation during its reconstitution under new leadership and structural parity.
Protected Rassawek, the ancestral capital of the Monacan Indian Nation, from destruction by the construction of water pumping facilities, preventing the disturbance of ancestral burials and destruction of rich cultural resources. Rassawek was named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as among America’s most endangered historic sites. The four-year battle to protect Rassawek enlisted tens of thousands of citizens and preservation organizations nationwide.
Secured the return of the Wounded Indian sculpture to its rightful owner, the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association (“MCMA”). The celebrated life-sized statue had been the subject of a decades-long ownership dispute between MCMA and the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia.
Represent six of the most recently federally recognized Tribal Nations in advancing their efforts to strengthen their sovereign governments and secure their cultural heritage. On behalf of six federally recognized tribes in Virginia, negotiated an Executive Order with the Governor to affirm the Commonwealth’s obligation to consult with tribal nations on state permits.
Led successful federal and state civil rights lawsuits on behalf of an American Indian tribe against the State of New Jersey for undermining long-held recognition of the Tribe and interfering in its sovereignty and programs.
Counseled foreign governments seeking international cooperation on strategies for protecting their cultural heritage sites suffering losses looting as part of a $4 billion black market trade in looted antiquities.
Negotiated a successful conclusion to the historic resources review process for the nation’s first offshore wind farm, resulting in multi-million dollar investments in historic preservation.
Protected the Black Creek Site, a major American Indian archaeological and sacred site, through 5-years of precedent-setting litigation – now a state park.

REPRESENTATIVE PRESENTATIONS

Presenter: “Requiring Balance Between Offshore Wind Development and Preservation,” Town of New Shoreham (Block Island), RI, 2023.
Keynote Speaker: “Cultural Heritage as a Human Right,” Simons Medal of Excellence Award, College of Charleston and the Historic Preservation and Community Planning Program, Charleston, SC, 2023.
Keynote Speaker: “Cultural Heritage Law: Stories from the Battlefront,” College of Charleston and the Historic Preservation and Community Planning Program, Charleston, SC, 2023.
Keynote Speaker: “Introducing Cultural Heritage Law,” University of Chicago School of Law, Chicago, IL, 2023.
Panelist: “Cultural and Environmental Resources Law,” Virginia Environmental Law Journal’s Fall Symposium, University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, VA, 2018.
Keynote Speaker: “National Native American Heritage Month,” National Labor Relations Board, Office of EEO, Washington, DC 2017.
Opening Keynote: “The Future of History,” U.S. Naval Academy, The Old Line State Summit, Annapolis, MD 2017.
Opening Keynote: “The Future of History,” Adler Theatre, Preserve Iowa Summit, Davenport, IA 2016.
Presenter: “Preservation50,” National Trust for Historic Preservation, PastForward Conference, Washington, DC, 2015.
Keynote Speaker, “The Future of Cultural Property Law,” Santa Clara University School of Law, Cultural Heritage Law Society, Santa Clara, CA, 2015.
Plenary Speaker, “Tribal Energy Development & Cultural Preservation,” Ute Tribe Energy Conference & Expo, Denver, CO, 2014.
Opening Speaker, “Building A Cross-Sector Leadership Movement,” The Presidio Institute & White House Forum on Cross-Sector Leadership, San Francisco, CA, 2013.
Keynote Speaker, “Keys to Success for Community Action Outcomes,” Community Action Partnership Management & Leadership Training Conference, San Diego, CA, 2013.
Panel Moderator, “Social Enterprise for Nonprofits,” Nonprofit Bootcamp 2013, Microsoft Campus, Mountain View, CA, 2013.
Keynote Speaker, “Solving Complex Social Challenges,” Social Innovation Program Commencement Ceremony, The Newseum, Washington, DC, 2012.
Opening Speaker, “Entrepreneurship in the Age of Austerity,” Accelerating Social Entrepreneurship Conference, Arlington, VA, 2011.
Speaker, “On New Forms of Public Leadership,” Active Citizen’s Conference, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 2011.
Keynote Speaker, “The Power of Social Innovation Education,” Launch of the George Mason University Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Fairfax, VA, 2011.
Keynote Speaker, “The Story of Your Founding,” NAACP William and Mary Chapter 15^th Anniversary Celebration, Williamsburg, VA, 2009.
Presenter: “Preservation Litigation: The Battle to Save the Black Creek Site,” William and Mary School of Law, Williamsburg, VA, 2010.
Commencement Keynote, “Leading Your Life in Exponential Times,” South County High School, Fairfax, VA, 2010.
Keynote Speaker, “Phoenix Rising: Reviving Economically Distressed Communities,” Spencer Center for Civic and Global Engagement at Mary Baldwin College, Staunton, VA, 2008.

REPRESENTATIVE PRESS

Greg’s work has appeared in more than 500 media outlets, including in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and on National Public Radio. Examples include:

“‘Wounded Indian’ sculpture given in 1800s to group founded by Paul Revere is returning to Boston,” AP News, by Mark Pratt, August 15, 2023.
“Historic Statue Case Update with Greg Werkheiser,” WINA Newsradio, by Courteney Stuart, August 10, 2023.
“Chrysler Museum of Art will return disputed sculpture of Indigenous man,” The Art Newspaper, by David D’Arcy, August 10, 2023. (PDF version)
“Contested ‘Wounded Indian’ sculpture heading back to Boston after a quarter-century in Norfolk’s Chrysler Museum,” The Boston Globe, by Malcolm Gay, August 9, 2023.
“Virginia Museum Will Return ‘Wounded Indian’ Statue to Boston,” The New York Times, by Tom Mashberg, August 9, 2023.
“Norfolk museum agrees to return ‘Wounded Indian’ statue to Boston,” The Washington Post, by Greg Schneider, August 9, 2023.
“Bitter row rages over ownership of marble sculpture of Indigenous man,” The Art Newspaper, by David D’Arcy, July 7, 2023. (PDF version)
“Chrysler Museum Historic Sculpture Controversy,” WINA Newsradio, by Courteney Stuart, June 5, 2023.
“Chrysler Museum Asked to Return Allegedly ‘Stolen’ Statue,” Hyperallergic, by Rhea Nayyar, June 4, 2023.
“Mystery of ‘The Wounded Indian’: Who owns a statue once thought destroyed?” The Washington Post, by Greg Schneider (May 21, 2023) (also in print, May 24, 2023) (PDF version)
“Offshore wind could cost town $815 million in tourism,” The Inquirer and Mirror, by Dean Geddes, February 16, 2023.
“Madison estate rehires staff let go during recent turmoil,” Associated Press, June 5, 2022.
“James Madison’s Montpelier rehires staff fired, suspended by ex-CEO,” Culpeper Star-Exponent, by Clint Schemmer, June 3, 2022.
“Montpelier CEO Resigns As Descendants of the Enslaved Get a Seat at the Table,” Hyperallergic, by Elaine Velie, May 29, 2022.
“Montpelier says it’s open to parity with slave descendants. Descendants cry foul,” NPR, by Alana Wise, April 20, 2022.
“James Madison’s Montpelier strips power from enslaved descendants group,” The Washington Post, by Gregory S. Schneider, March 25, 2022.
“Battle over Native American burial site in Virginia ends in tribal victory,” The Washington Post, by Gillian Brockell, March 16, 2022.
“Virginia Confederate monuments likely headed to black history museum,” BBC North America, December 30, 2021.
“Robert E. Lee monument, other Confederate statues could go to Richmond’s Black History Museum under deal,” The Washington Post, by Gregory S. Schneider, December 30, 2021.
“Native American Capital Among 11 Most Endangered Historic Sites,” National Geographic, by Andrew Lawler, September 24, 2020.
“The Black, Millennial Mayor Who Torn Down His City’s White Monuments,” Politico, by Andrew Lawler, August 9, 2020.
“Two More NJ Tribes Have Recognition Reaffirmed,” PR Newswire, by Powhatan Renape Nation, March 18, 2019.
“Cultural Heritage Partners: The Case Against Rescinded Identity,” VoiceAmerica – Indiana Jones: Myth, Reality and 21^st Century Archaeology with Dr. Joseph Schuldenrein, (Audio) Interview with Greg Werkheiser, August 12, 2015.
“Native American Tribe Sues New Jersey for Recognition,” The Associated Press – The Big Story, Geoff Mulvihill, July 21, 2015.
“SJ Native Americans Renew Fight for State Recognition,” CBS Evening News (Philly), by David Madden and Cleve Bryan, July 21, 2015.
“A New Niche: Alexandria Firm Practices ‘Cultural Heritage Law,” Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Oct. 25, 2010.

For more press coverage, see here.

ADMISSIONS

District of Columbia Bar
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
U.S District Court for the Western District of Virginia
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, pro hac vice
Virginia State Bar
Virginia Supreme Court

Greg Werkheiser

REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS

REPRESENTATIVE PRESENTATIONS

REPRESENTATIVE PRESS

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