Resource Protection

More than the preservation of land. It’s about the protection of a shared history, an American heritage. On these landscapes rests a multitude of memories, stories, lives, battles and lessons that make up much of what we know today as the Civil War. A great deal can be learned from our valuable past—ultimately, protecting this historic resource protects America’s future.
Here, find facts and figures about how we plan to make it happen.
 

Facts

A central part of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation’s mission is to preserve Civil War battlefields in the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, both directly and by enabling landowners and local organizations to do so. Exploring the rich legacy of the Valley’s Civil War heritage is only possible with the protection of its historic places.

The Battlefields Foundation’s land and easement acquisition efforts concentrate on the ten battlefields named by Congress in the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District and Commission Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-333). These battlefields, listed in the table below, include more than 21,000 acres of core battlefield that retain historic integrity, largely because they are still in active farm and forest uses. Less than ten percent of this essential resource is protected from development that would destroy its historic value.

During its first year, the Battlefields Foundation protected three parcels totaling 68 acres at Cross Keys, Fisher’s Hill, and Third Winchester, all through fee simple purchase from willing sellers. The Foundation also helped local groups acquire the Mansion House at McDowell and Fort Collier in Winchester and is currently working with the owners of nine properties at six battlefields who want to protect their land. These projects will protect an additional 948 acres of land using fee simple acquisition and conservation easements.

In addition, the Battlefields Foundation has helped our partners raise $550,000 from local governments and $3.5 million from the state to match federal funds in the effort to help preserve battlefields such as Cedar Creek and First and Second Kernstown. The Battlefields Foundation has also leveraged considerable investments from partnering organizations. For every dollar from the Foundation, its partners have contributed eight dollars to preserve and interpret Civil War resources in the National Historic District.

The Battlefields Foundation’s conservation efforts use voluntary measures that protect farm and forest land from conversion to more intensive commercial, industrial, and residential uses. The Battlefields Foundation neither has nor seeks condemnation authority. Instead, it pursues policies that aid private landowners who face development pressure to maintain their land in rural uses.

As the National Historic District’s Management Plan points out, it would be practically impossible as well as politically unfeasible to protect all or even core battlefield lands from incompatible development. Thus, only key parcels that best support visitation, interpretation, and commemoration will be targeted by the Battlefields Foundation for protection. Our success depends on the voluntary stewardship of privately-owned lands. Private land ownership also accurately reflects the Valley’s character both today and at the time of the Civil War. In addition, private land remains on the local tax rolls and its productivity helps to sustain the local economy.

Various planning issues, protection tools, and partners play key roles in the protection of the Shenandoah Valley’s Civil War battlefields. In the coming weeks and months, these will be explored further on this website. Information and updates will also be provided on the Battlefields Foundation’s specific resource protection projects, so please check back often.
 

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