American Battlefield Trust — May 2023
Originally published May 2023 · pp. 14–15
Preservationists Must Rally to Stop Orange County Mega-Development
A massive residential and commercial development has been proposed near the historic intersection of Routes 3 and 20, the gateway to Orange County, Va. At 2,602 acres, the “Wilderness Crossing” project would mark the largest rezoning in the county’s history, severely altering the rural area into a congested zone. Worse still, this is the same location where, starting in 2009, a coalition of local residents and preservationists vocally opposed construction of a Walmart Supercenter and associated development. Ultimately the win-win scenario resulted in the retailer donating the site and building the store further west. Out of that dispute, the Trust and its partners sought to establish a safe vision for the future of the land with the Wilderness Gateway Study. The report advocated for a model of development that would preserve open space while allowing for readjustments of intersections without causing damage to the nearby Wilderness Battlefield or disturbing residents’ lifestyle. The current proposal abandoned both the Wilderness Gateway Study principles and the recommendations made in the Germanna Wilderness Area Plan, the latter created by the county itself. As this issue was heading to print, a Planning Commission hearing was to take place regardless of the outcome, the proposal will be heard by the Board of Supervisors in the near spring. For more information on the study and how you can help, visit www.battlefields.org/speak-out/ stop-largest-rezoning-orangecounty-history.
Help Protect 820 Acres Across 5 Virginia Battlefields
From Texas to Pennsylvania,
the Civil War ravaged the whole country, but if any one place bore the brunt of this fighting, it was Virginia, where nearly one-third of all major battles occurred. Now, the Trust has launched a major campaign that would secure the preservation of 820 acres across the battlefields at Reams Station, Boydton Plank Road, Dinwiddie Court House,
Mine Run, and Petersburg; two of which are new sites for our activities. In total, these hallowed grounds carry a transaction value of $3.6 million. However, the Trust has secured various matchinggrants and, thanks to generous landowner donations, only needs the final $111,856 to save all 820 acres in perpetuity. That means
all gifts will be multiplied by a factor of $30-to-$1, one of the best matches in recent memory. Containing stories from all parts of the Civil War, the history and relevancy of these 820 acres are undoubtable. Apart from their historical significance these grounds have one more thing in common: they have been recent targets for hungry developers who are looking to build and permanently destroy the nation’s heritage. At Mine Run, where 702 acres were recently threatened by modern development, the land saw repeated cavalry action during both the 1863 Battle of Mine Run and the 1864 Battle of the Wilderness. At Reams Station, eight Federal Army units from five states fought on the 96 acres that the Trust is seeking to save, but in recent years this land has been exposed to potential solar farms development.
Troop movements of the Breakthrough at the Battle of Petersburg. American Battlefield Trust.
CivilWarNews.com
This campaign marks the Trust’s first preservation efforts at Boydton Plank Road and Dinwiddie Court House. At Boydton Plank Road, site of the 1864 battle, the organization is seeking to save 12 acres that were targeted for residential development just last year. In the
The sun sets over the Shiloh National Battlefield Park. Photo by Mike Talplacido.
John Nau Announced Trustee for Life For decades, John Liston Nau, III, has cemented himself as an exemplary preservationist and park advocate, working to make the nation’s history accessible for all. This Spring, the Trust honored Nau with its lifetime achievement award and officially named him a member of the organization’s board of trustees for life. Further recognizing his steadfast work in historic preservation, the organization renamed its national leadership award for federal officials in Nau’s honor and intends to place a permanent marker to his legacy on his beloved Vicksburg Battlefield. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Nau spent his time studying American military history, eventually developing a
fascination with the Civil War. Nau was first elected to the Trust’s Board in 1999 and served as chairman from 2009 to 2011. From 2001 to 2010, he served as chair to the federal Advisor Council on Historic Preservation, appointed by President George W. Bush.
47 Acres Perpetually Preserved in Virginia The Trust has successfully preserved 47 acres across the Cedar Creek Battlefield and Cedar Mountain Battlefield, two important engagements in the Old Dominion. At Cedar Creek, the saved parcel is pivotal to the story of the battlefield and now, following its transfer, will become an integral part of Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, especially given its adjacency to the park headquarters. This land saw the
movement of both Union and Confederate troops during the Battle of Cedar Creek, where a Union rally prevented any future hope of Confederate offensives in the Shenandoah Valley. At Cedar Mountain, 45 acres of hallowed ground are also newly preserved. This addition bolsters the 1,700-acre donation of land that the Trust has committed to for the creation of the new Culpeper Battlefields State Park and broadens the rich history visitors to these sites will get to experience. These great successes will pave the way for more victories in the Old Dominion for the Trust, and for preservation allies everywhere.
Learn all about the Trust’s latest news at www.battlefields. org/news. Follow us on social media at American Battlefield Trust.
Cedar Mountain Battlefield in Culpeper, Va. Photo by Buddy Secor.
Photographs from the Original Article
Captions and credits appear in the article text as originally printed.