Local Richmond Channel 6 will cover "Virginia Vanishing" on November 18th and 19th. Tuesday night at 5:30 and 11 PM, and Wednesday at 5:30, the series Morning Anchor Greg McQuade has spent several months on will show the effects development and sprawl are creating on our state.
Virginia Vanishing Part 1
Virginia Vanishing Part 2
In related news, 390 Acres in Henrico County began the path toward their ultimate preservation.
This would not have happened without the hard work and dedication of our Governor, Tim Kaine, House Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford, and state Sen. Ed Houck, D-Spotsylvania- we appreciate James Lighthizer and CWPT's support. Thank you gentlemen!
Standing as further evidence that rarely except through State, Federal, and private actions, are historic places and open land in Henrico spared development.
Virginia Vanishing Part 1Virginia Vanishing Part 2In related news, 390 Acres in Henrico County began the path toward their ultimate preservation.
This would not have happened without the hard work and dedication of our Governor, Tim Kaine, House Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford, and state Sen. Ed Houck, D-Spotsylvania- we appreciate James Lighthizer and CWPT's support. Thank you gentlemen!
Standing as further evidence that rarely except through State, Federal, and private actions, are historic places and open land in Henrico spared development.
BATTLEFIELDS GET HELP
"Virginia awards grants to protect 15 Civil War battlefields, including Chancellorsville and Brandy Station"
Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star By CLINT SCHEMMER
"Virginia stepped forward yesterday to help save portions of 15 Civil War battlefields from encroaching development.
The commonwealth will provide up to $5.2 million to front-line private groups defending Civil War battlefields--including Chancellorsville and Brandy Station. Preservationists must come up with $10.4 million to get the 21 matching grants awarded by the state Department of Historic Resources.
The resulting total, $15.57 million, would be one of the largest sums earmarked for Virginia battlefield preservation in decades.
"I am pleased that we are able to join with these private organizations to save important open spaces and cultural landscapes while we still have the opportunity," Gov. Tim Kaine said of the initiative yesterday.
"Battlefield protection preserves Virginia's historic as well as its natural landscapes. It is an integral part of my administration's goal to protect 400,000 acres of open spaces by 2010."
Tapping the state's Civil War Historic Site Preservation Fund, established by the General Assembly in 2006, the department's grants will save 1,571 acres.
"Battlefield protection preserves Virginia's historic as well as its natural landscapes. It is an integral part of my administration's goal to protect 400,000 acres of open spaces by 2010."
Tapping the state's Civil War Historic Site Preservation Fund, established by the General Assembly in 2006, the department's grants will save 1,571 acres.
The money comes not a moment too soon, as Virginia and conservationists race to preserve some of the nation's most threatened hallowed ground from urban and suburban growth.
The grants will save key parcels by enabling private organizations to buy parcels or obtain easement rights on land that will stay in private ownership. Those deals will enlarge or join together previously protected battlefield tracts."
"The 15 affected battlefields lie in the counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Culpeper, Frederick, Hanover, Henrico, Louisa, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Spotsylvania.
The sites' military histories are varied, including significant Union and Confederate victories as well as the scenes of horse-mounted battles, such as Brandy Station in Culpeper County--where the largest cavalry fight in North American history was waged.
"These purchases will allow us to secure places with the power to connect us and future generations to the lessons of a defining period of our history," said Kathleen S. Kilpatrick, director of the Historic Resources Department."
The grants will save key parcels by enabling private organizations to buy parcels or obtain easement rights on land that will stay in private ownership. Those deals will enlarge or join together previously protected battlefield tracts."
"The 15 affected battlefields lie in the counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Culpeper, Frederick, Hanover, Henrico, Louisa, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Spotsylvania.
The sites' military histories are varied, including significant Union and Confederate victories as well as the scenes of horse-mounted battles, such as Brandy Station in Culpeper County--where the largest cavalry fight in North American history was waged.
"These purchases will allow us to secure places with the power to connect us and future generations to the lessons of a defining period of our history," said Kathleen S. Kilpatrick, director of the Historic Resources Department."
"The aid comes as groups across Virginia slate events for the Civil War's sesquicentennial, which begins in 2011." read more
The battlefields saved in Henrico are:
Glendale Battlefield, Henrico County- In June 1862, General Robert E. Lee's army attacked the Union line and surged eastward hoping to isolate half the opposing forces. However late in the day Federal reinforcements counterattacked and held the line. Lee's best opportunity to trap and destroy the Union army was lost. The Civil War Preservation Trust is purchasing four parcels totaling 87.5 acres within the core area of the battlefield. One parcel includes a study area of the First Bottom battlefield, while another one connects to land at Richmond National Battlefield Park on Malvern Hill, resulting in nearly three miles of contiguous protected areas. All four parcels are adjacent to nearly 362 acres of the battlefield already saved by the CWPT.
Malvern Hill, Henrico County- Also known as the Battle of Poindexter's Farm, this July 1, 1862 battle was the sixth and last of the Seven Days Battles of the Union's Peninsula Campaign. Gen. Robert E. Lee launched a series of disjointed assaults on the nearly impregnable Union position on Malvern Hill. The Confederates suffered more than 5,300 casualties without gaining ground. Despite his victory, Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan withdrew to entrench at Harrison's Landing on the James River, ending the Peninsula Campaign. The Civil War Preservation Trust's purchase of 178 acres in the core and study area of the Malvern Hill and Glendale Battlefields will secure the site of a historic house and road, and the area where Confederate Gen. John B. Magruder supervised his troops while under fire. Due to significant development in the immediate vicinity of Malvern Hill, the area to be acquired is at high risk for single family, residential development.
First Deep Bottom Battlefield, Henrico County- This July 27–29, 1864 battle was part of the Siege of Petersburg. During the night of July 26 and 27, the Union Army II Corps and two divisions of Gen. Phil Sheridan's cavalry under the command of Maj. Gen. Winfield Hancock crossed to the north side of James River to threaten Richmond, diverting Confederate forces from the impending attack at Petersburg on July 30. Union forces abandoned efforts to turn the Confederate position at New Market Heights and Fussell's Mill after Confederates strongly reinforced their lines and counterattacked. During the night of July 29, the Federals re-crossed the river, leaving a garrison to hold the bridgehead at Deep Bottom. CWPT's purchase will preserve 125 acres entirely within the core area of the battle, specifically a historic farm that was the scene of the heaviest fighting, where total casualties surpassed 800. Because of extensive recent development in the area, this is the only sizeable portion of the July 28 battlefield that can feasibly be saved.
Malvern Hill, Henrico County- Also known as the Battle of Poindexter's Farm, this July 1, 1862 battle was the sixth and last of the Seven Days Battles of the Union's Peninsula Campaign. Gen. Robert E. Lee launched a series of disjointed assaults on the nearly impregnable Union position on Malvern Hill. The Confederates suffered more than 5,300 casualties without gaining ground. Despite his victory, Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan withdrew to entrench at Harrison's Landing on the James River, ending the Peninsula Campaign. The Civil War Preservation Trust's purchase of 178 acres in the core and study area of the Malvern Hill and Glendale Battlefields will secure the site of a historic house and road, and the area where Confederate Gen. John B. Magruder supervised his troops while under fire. Due to significant development in the immediate vicinity of Malvern Hill, the area to be acquired is at high risk for single family, residential development.
First Deep Bottom Battlefield, Henrico County- This July 27–29, 1864 battle was part of the Siege of Petersburg. During the night of July 26 and 27, the Union Army II Corps and two divisions of Gen. Phil Sheridan's cavalry under the command of Maj. Gen. Winfield Hancock crossed to the north side of James River to threaten Richmond, diverting Confederate forces from the impending attack at Petersburg on July 30. Union forces abandoned efforts to turn the Confederate position at New Market Heights and Fussell's Mill after Confederates strongly reinforced their lines and counterattacked. During the night of July 29, the Federals re-crossed the river, leaving a garrison to hold the bridgehead at Deep Bottom. CWPT's purchase will preserve 125 acres entirely within the core area of the battle, specifically a historic farm that was the scene of the heaviest fighting, where total casualties surpassed 800. Because of extensive recent development in the area, this is the only sizeable portion of the July 28 battlefield that can feasibly be saved.
Click here to see the complete list of 15 Civil War battlefields receiving preservation grants announced Monday by the Virginia Department Historic Resources.
1 comment:
Your readers might like to know that there is a group of local volunteers hard at work preserving historic property in your area -- Richmond Battlefields Association. We frequently join forces with the CWPT (we partnered with CWPT in the Glendale purchase mentioned in the article) but we also tackle projects on our own. Our most recent purchase -- just completed -- is right in your back yard, 30 acres of the Second Deep Bottom/Fussell's Mill battlefield. We will host our Annual Meeting/Battlefield Tour/Picnic there from 10 AM to 1 PM on Saturday, June 13, 2009. The event is open to the public and we urge anyone interested to bring a lunch and a lawn chair for an enlightening and enjoyable day. I was out there this afternoon and the site was gorgeous. For more information about the RBA please visit www.saverichmondbattlefields.org.
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