Appomattox Court House National Historical Park 1 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

® A NATIONAL HISTORICALNATIONAL PARK P POMATTOX COURT HOUSE A R esource Assessment

November 2008 ®

Center for State of the Parks ®

More than a century ago, Congress established Yellowstone as the CONTENTS world’s first national park. That single act was the beginning of a remarkable and ongoing effort to protect this nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage. Today, Americans are learning that national park designation INTRODUCTION 1 alone cannot provide full resource protection. Many parks are compromised by development of adjacent lands, air and water pollu- KEY FINDINGS 6 tion, invasive plants and animals, and rapid increases in motorized recreation. Park officials often lack adequate information on the THE APPOMATTOX COURT status of and trends in conditions of critical resources. HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORICAL The National Parks Conservation Association initiated the State of the Parks program in 2000 to assess the condition of natural and PARK ASSESSMENT 9 cultural resources in the parks, and determine how well equipped the CULTURAL RESOURCES— National Park Service is to protect the parks—its stewardship capac- RECONSTRUCTED VILLAGE ity. The goal is to provide information that will help policymakers, the public, and the National Park Service improve conditions in KEEPS HISTORY ALIVE 9 national parks, celebrate successes as models for other parks, and NATURAL RESOURCES—YOUNG ensure a lasting legacy for future generations. PROGRAM MAKING STRIDES For more information about the methodology and research used in preparing this report and to learn more about the Center for State WITH FEW RESOURCES 17 of the Parks, visit www.npca.org/stateoftheparks or contact: NPCA, STEWARDSHIP CAPACITY 23 Center for State of the Parks, P.O. Box 737, Fort Collins, CO 80522; phone: 970.493.2545; email: [email protected]. APPENDIX: METHODOLOGY 28 Since 1919, the National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice of the American people in protecting and enhanc- ing our National Park System. NPCA, its members, and partners work together to protect the park system and preserve our nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage for generations to come.

* More than 340,000 members * 25 regional and field offices * More than 120,000 activists

A special note of appreciation goes to those whose generous grants COVER PHOTO: The Park Service commissioned and donations made this report possible: Dorothy Canter, Ben and well-known artist Keith Rocco to produce a Ruth Hammett, and anonymous donors. historically accurate depiction of the surrender at Appomattox Court House. By Keith Rocco, courtesy of National Park Service. “We are all Americans.” —Lieutenant Colonel Ely Parker, a Seneca Indian chief, to General Robert E. Lee at the signing of the surrender at Appomattox Court House where thelong processofreunification a Appomattox CourtHousebecame theplace Richmond. Despiteitshumble beginning, stopover on a roadconnectingLynchburg and Appomattox CourtHousewas aquiet,bucolic numbered 1 United States. Withapopulation thatbarely the mostsignificantevents inthehistoryof Virginia, w The modesttown ofAppomattox CourtHouse, as anunlikelyplacetohostoneof 00 whentheCivilW ar began, INTRODUCTION F Confederate forcesfireduponUnionat the annalsofAmericanhistory war-torn country began,cementingitsplacein down fourlong years later, anestimated opposing sides. Bythetimelastriflewas laid families apartasbrothersdisagreed andchose neighbors againsteachother andoftentore Carolina, onApril12,1861. Thisconflictpitted ort Sumter The UnitedStatesCivilWar beganwhen , inCharlestonHarbor . , South House. Appomattox Court the villageof oldest structures in her 1823 andpictured House, builtaround The MariahW e, isoneofthe right

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Appomattox Court House National Historical Park 1 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

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food. With his troops exhausted and with the opportunity for retreat farther south thwarted by advancing Union troops, Lee was running out of options. Holding out hopes that his troops could somehow overcome a more than two-to- one troop disadvantage, he did not accept Union Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant’s first call for surrender made on April 7, following the Battle Appomattox Court House National Historical P of Sailor’s Creek. By this time, the Confederate troops were CATHERINE NORRIS outnumbered, exhausted, near starvation, and 620,000 men had lost their lives. The Civil War deserting their army in droves. Time finally ran continues to rank as the bloodiest conflict for out for them in the late afternoon on April 8, American soldiers. 1865, when Union cavalry captured Lee’s By 1865, the Civil War had taken a tremen- supplies at Appomattox Station, about three dous toll on both the Union and Confederate miles south of Appomattox Court House, and forces. In early April, following a ten-month cut off Lee’s line of retreat. Lee and his officers siege, the Confederate Army of Northern decided to attack Union cavalry forces, to the Virginia, led by General Robert E. Lee, had been west, the next morning, but agreed that if large forced into abandoning the defenses of numbers of Union infantry were in front of the Petersburg and Richmond and retreating to army and the outcome looked hopeless, they Amelia Court House, about 55 miles to the east would accept defeat and surrender. This of Appomattox Court House. They had hoped to outcome was soon realized with the appearance find supply trains waiting for them, but they of Union infantry, and by 10 a.m. on April 9 the found only ammunition, and the hungry battlefield was quiet. Lee requested that Grant soldiers were forced to scour the countryside for meet him in the village of Appomattox Court House to accept the surrender of the Army of national historical monument in 1935. Due to Northern Virginia. local influence, the Park Service eventually Lieutenant Colonel Charles Marshall, an aide decided against constructing a monument, to General Lee, traveled ahead to find a suitable settling on a plan to preserve Appomattox Court place for the meeting. Upon reaching town, he House’s cultural landscape by restoring the met local resident Wilmer McLean, who after village and the most important structures to showing Marshall an empty building took him their condition during the Civil War. The park to see if his own house would be more appropri- was ultimately renamed Appomattox Court ate. Marshall deemed the McLean home to be House National Historical Park in 1954. It has acceptable, and he sent word of the location for grown in size over the years and now protects surrender to Grant and Lee. Lee arrived at the 1,743 acres. McLean house around 1 p.m.; Grant arrived a Appomattox Court House National 3 half hour later. The meeting, which took just 90 Historical Park preserves a monumental event in minutes, was the first time that these two men the history of the United States by interpreting Historian Douglas ark Southall Freeman had met face-to-face since serving together the location where Robert E. Lee, commander of addresses the crowd during the Mexican-American War. President the Army of Northern Virginia, accepted the at the dedication of Abraham Lincoln had insisted that the former terms of surrender from Union Lieutenant the McLean House in Confederate soldiers be treated with dignity and General Ulysses S. Grant. In addition to inter- 1950. The flag of the compassion, and he was firm that the terms of preting historical events and preserving associ- 61st Virginia Infantry, later given to the surrender should not include harsh or vindictive ated resources, the Park Service cares for the site’s park by Freeman's elements. With the stroke of a pen, the process of natural resources. Important aspects of the park’s family, adorns the reunifying and rebuilding the war-torn nation natural resource management include maintain- platform. began in earnest. After signing the formal documents, Lee mounted his horse, was saluted by his Union counterparts, and slowly rode back to his lines. While the events at Appomattox Court House did not officially end the Civil War, the Appomattox Court House National Historical P largest threat to the United States had surren- dered, and additional Confederate surrenders followed shortly. The idea to recognize Appomattox Court House’s importance got off the ground in 1893, when the War Department erected ten cast-iron tablets marking sites of special importance to the surrender. In 1930, Congress moved forward with plans to acquire one acre of land at Appomattox Court House onto which a monument would be built to commemorate the peace established with the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. Opposition to this plan came mostly from Southerners who feared that the site would be marred with a large monument to the defeat of the Confederacy. The National Park Service assumed authority of the area on August 10, 1933, and Congress redesignated the site as a NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Note: When interpreting the scores for resource conditions, recognize that critical information upon which the ratings are based is not always available. This limits data interpretation to some extent. For Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, 59 percent of the natural resources information was available, and 100 percent of the cultural resources information was available. Ethnography was not rated at this park because the subject is not readily applicable to cultural resource management at Appomattox Court House.

RESOURCE CATEGORY CURRENT

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Overall conditions 68 FAIR Archaeology 67 4 Cultural Landscapes 69 Ethnography (Peoples and Cultures) N/A

ark Historic Structures 64 History 82 Museum Collection and Archives 67

RATINGS SCALE 0–35 36–60 61–80 81–90 91–100

CRITICAL POOR FAIR GOOD EXCELLENT

NATURAL RESOURCES

Overall conditions 71 FAIR Environmental and Biotic Measures 70 Biotic Impacts and Stressors 69 Air 72 Water 73 Soils 67 Appomattox Court House National Historical P Ecosystems Measures 71 Species Composition and Condition 67 Ecosystem Extent and Function 73

RATINGS SCALE 0–35 36–60 61–80 81–90 91–100

CRITICAL POOR FAIR GOOD EXCELLENT

The findings in this report do not necessarily reflect past or current park management. Many factors that affect resource conditions are a result of both human and natural influences over long periods of time, in many cases before a park was established. The intent of the Center for State of the Parks is not to evaluate Park Service staff performance, but to document the present status of park resources and determine which actions can be taken to protect them into the future.

ing certain landscape features as they appeared APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE NATIONAL in 1865, preserving historic viewsheds, removing HISTORICAL PARK AT A GLANCE invasive plants, planting native species, protecting soil and water quality, and promoting floral and faunal diversity. • Appomattox Court House National Historical Park in Virginia In recognition of the important historical commemorates a pivotal event in the history of the United events Appomattox Court House National States. The Park Service maintains several of the village’s origi- Historical Park commemorates and interprets, nal and restored historic structures, as well as historic land- the National Parks Conservation Association’s scapes, and interprets the events that took place in and around Center for State of the Parks conducted an assess- Appomattox Court House in April 1865. In 2007, 149,255 ment of the condition of the park’s cultural and people visited the park to tour the historic village, attend one natural resources. of the park’s many living history programs, view items from the 5 park’s extensive museum collection, or hike along the RATINGS Appomattox History Trail. This four-mile trail the includes ark Overall conditions of the park’s known cultural several interpretive markers. resources rated a score of 68 out of 100, indicat- • The most prominent cultural resources at the park are the ing “fair” conditions. The scores for cultural historic structures, especially the McLean House and the resources are based on the results of indicator town’s courthouse. Wilmer McLean sold his house in 1867 questions that reflect the National Park Service’s and it was completely dismantled in 1893, so it could be sent own Cultural Resource Management Guideline and to Washington, D.C., where it would be displayed as a private other policies related to cultural and historical museum. However, funding for this plan never materialized resources. Challenges to the park’s cultural and the dismantled building remained on the site for many resources include a backlog of uncataloged years. The Park Service completed the reconstruction of the museum collection items, an overall lack of McLean House in 1949. The original Appomattox Courthouse cultural resource management documents, and was destroyed in a fire in 1892. The park rebuilt the historic insufficient staffing to perform some key park courthouse in 1964—the exterior resembles the original, functions. while the interior was redesigned to accommodate a modern Appomattox Court House National Historical P Current overall conditions of Appomattox visitor center. Court House’s natural resources rated a “fair” score of 71 out of 100. Ratings were assigned • The park’s museum collection and archives preserve a plethora through an evaluation of park research and of historic artifacts and documents, totaling nearly 139,000 monitoring data using NPCA’s Center for State items. One particularly interesting item is the “silent witness of the Parks comprehensive assessment method- doll” originally owned by Wilmer McLean’s daughter and left in ology (see “Appendix”). The park’s natural the parlor while General Lee signed the surrender. A Union resources program is young, so there is limited officer, Captain Thomas W.C. Moore, removed the doll from the information available on natural resources at house, and it remained with the Moore family for more than a Appomattox Court House. Known issues century before it was given to the park. It is now displayed on include non-native plants, soil and water degra- the second floor of the park’s visitor center. dation from agricultural land uses, and resource degradation caused by adjacent development and certain agricultural practices. KEY FINDINGS the history of the village and life in a rural 19th-century Virginia community. • The park has lost nine seasonal and permanent staff positions since 2001 due • The park has adequate storage space in to budget constraints and has found it its curatorial facility for current needs, but difficult to secure funds for any new staff lacks room for future acquisitions. There is positions. Needed positions include, but not enough space for exhibits, and some are not necessarily limited to, an exhibit spaces lack the proper protection. archivist, a museum technician, three To address this challenge, the most fragile permanent maintenance workers, a and significant items are stored and building trades professional, law enforce- exhibited in locations with the best 6 ment rangers, interpretive rangers, and protective environments. The park has biological technicians. one main curatorial facility with tempera-

ark ture and humidity controls, new light • At current funding and staffing levels, the fixtures, and no windows to let in sunlight park is unable to fully execute certain that could damage fragile items. A few of natural and cultural resource projects, the park’s exhibits have Plexiglas enclo- including invasive plant control, cultural sures, which offer protection from dust, landscape management, water quality dirt, and insect damage. Items in other monitoring, biological surveys, and exhibit spaces would benefit from this management of the agricultural leasing level of protection. A lack of fire suppres- program. sion throughout the storage and exhibit • To enable the park to expand interpreta- areas is also of serious concern. tion to include the entire cultural land- • Poaching of historical artifacts is a scape (currently only the historic town is concern at Appomattox Court House, interpreted), and to explore the roles of and while Park Service staff are unable to African Americans and women in the

Appomattox Court House National Historical P quantify the scope of the poaching that development of Appomattox Court occurs at the park, the occasional discov- House before, during, and after the Civil ery of holes in outlying areas of the park War, additional historic resource studies is an indication of this illegal activity. are needed. Expanding interpretive Poaching of deer is also suspected, as themes would provide a more compre- stands used by hunters have also been hensive visitor experience and allow the found within the park. park to tell a more complete version of

Appomattox Court House’s museum collection contains artifacts integral to interpreting the NATIONAL PARK SERVICE events surrounding Lee’s surrender, like this parole pass that was issued to a Confederate soldier. Historic items displayed at the park include Lula McLean’s “silent witness doll” (bottom right) that NATIONAL PARK SERVICE was left behind in the family’s parlor during the meeting between Generals Grant and Lee.

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• Virginia State Route 24 is a high-speed, plants (particularly the vegetation along two-lane highway that bisects the park. streams), increased the presence of non- This road essentially cuts off the southern native plant species, and degraded the side of the park to visitors and creates a water quality of the park’s streams. Staff Appomattox Court House National Historical P treacherous and often deadly barrier for have taken measures to reduce the wildlife. Traffic noise disrupts interpretive impact of cattle on park resources by programs and diminishes the quality and decreasing the number of acres that are character of the mid-19th-century histori- grazed, decreasing the number of cattle cal landscape the park is trying to per acre, and constructing fences to keep preserve. Potential options to mitigate cattle away from streams, which allows these problems include installing traffic- vegetation to regrow. calming measures on the stretch of road • An updated general management plan is that passes through the park and lowering nearing completion and should be in the speed limit, to rerouting State Route place by the end of 2008. After that time, 24 outside current park boundaries. staff can begin writing a comprehensive • Since the 1940s, the park has leased land interpretive plan. This plan will help staff to farmers for cattle grazing and hay to think more broadly about the best ways production, in order to maintain the land- to organize and present interpretive scape’s 1860s agricultural character. materials to park visitors. However, grazing has damaged native RESOURCE MANAGEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

• The living history program at Appomattox tions of these plants. Great strides have Court House is excellent. Staff in full also been made in collecting natural period costumes engage visitors with resource baseline data through surveys of their portrayals of historical figures. To water quality, birds, reptiles and amphib- ensure the performances are as histori- ians, mammals, and vegetation and plant cally accurate as possible, interpreters communities. master the speech, mannerisms, and lives • Appomattox Court House recently of the people they portray. As a result of installed several new interpretive exhibits 8 this dedication, the park’s interpretive staff at the visitor center. One exhibit displays a are widely recognized for their knowledge collection of artifacts relating to the Battle

ark of and expertise in portraying figures of High Bridge, which was for control of related to the Civil War, the Appomattox the crucial river crossing near Farmville, Campaign, and the events associated Virginia. These artifacts now rest in a refur- with the surrender at Appomattox Court bished display case redesigned by the House in April 1865. park’s curator and illuminated by new fiber • Appomattox Court House National optic lighting that was designed and Historical Park created a natural resources installed as a donation by Luxam, Inc., a program in 2000. Since then, staff have museum lighting company. Another converted 70 acres of fields into native exhibit features artifacts related to grasslands that provide improved habitat Lieutenant A. Wellborn Moise. Originally for native wildlife and reflect the land- a member of the 1st Maryland Cavalry, he scape that soldiers saw during the final was commended for bravery during the days of the Civil War. Staff have also Gettysburg campaign and was serving as treated invasive non-native plants, such as a lieutenant in the 26th Georgia Infantry at Appomattox Court House National Historical P tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and the surrender. This exhibit includes a large multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), on more section cut from the unit battle flag at than 700 additional acres and have Appomattox Court House, original war- succeeded in achieving significant reduc- time photographs, Moise’s parole pass, and many United Confederate Veterans medals, ribbons, and badges. The park Appomattox Court also has an exhibit on the participation of House’s successful living history program African-American troops at Appomattox is made possible by Court House and has plans to create new park staff and volun- exhibits on slavery and emancipation. teers who don costumes to bring • The park contracted the services of an historical figures to outside professional to help process and life for visitors. organize some of the park’s archives. This contractor organized archival materials, placed them in protective folders, labeled them, and created finding aids to assist staff and researchers in locating items. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE THE APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ASSESSMENT ALAN SPEARS

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CULTURAL RESOURCES— cultural resources are in “fair” condition. Wilmer McLean’s RECONSTRUCTED VILLAGE KEEPS Challenges include a lack of planning docu- House, shown here, was the site of HISTORY ALIVE ments, unfunded staff positions, and limited Confederate surren- exhibit and storage space for historical artifacts. der in 1865. The Appomattox Court House National Historical In addition, some historical items are not home was later sold Park scored an overall 68 out of 100 for the protected from heat, humidity, and direct and dismantled. The condition of cultural resources that include sunlight, and they are also at risk of damage Park Service completed recon- history, historic structures, cultural landscapes, from fire. struction of the archaeology, and museum collection and house in 1949, using archives. A score of 65 indicates that the park’s more than 5,500 original bricks. Lynchburg Stage Road in 1809 introduced a commercial component to the community of Clover Hill, and the village became a stop along the road. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Cash-crop agriculture (mainly tobacco) continued to be the primary activity in the area until Clover Hill was chosen as the county seat in 1845. A courthouse was built in the village the following year, and the town’s name was changed to Appomattox Court House. The village became more populated as judges, 10 lawyers, and clerks made their homes there, and commerce grew along with the popula- ark tion. The village continued to prosper during the 1850s and was the most populated village in the county, with about 100 people, at the outbreak of the Civil War. Appomattox Court House did not see much action until the final days of the war, when the village earned its fame for hosting the signing of the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. The meeting took place in the home of local resident Wilmer McLean and lasted about 90 minutes. The surrender marked the beginning of the The original HISTORY—COMPLETION OF reunification of the war-torn nation. Appomattox MANAGEMENT PLANS CRUCIAL After the Civil War, the village returned to its Courthouse, built in Thousands of years before the small village of quiet routine, but circumstances were about to

Appomattox Court House National Historical P 1846 when the town was chosen as the Appomattox Court House was established, change. The courthouse burned in 1892 and the county seat, burned American Indians called this area of south- decision was made to build the new courthouse in 1892. After the central Virginia home. These peoples included in the nearby town of Appomattox Station. The fire, a new court- members of the Siouan and Iroquoian groups, relocation of the courthouse took most of the house was built in the neighboring although no archaeological sites have been retailers and craftsmen with it. With the village town of Appomattox discovered at the park to confirm their presence nearly abandoned, many structures fell into Station, Virginia. within current park boundaries. disrepair and would remain so until the park English settlement in the area began in 1722 was established some 40 years later. The with the establishment of small homesteads National Park Service assumed management and farms. Alterations to the landscape and responsibility for the village in 1935, choosing surrounding environment immediately to preserve the remaining historic structures and followed as settlers cleared forested areas and restore the village to its appearance at the end of plowed land to grow crops. This clearing the Civil War. The Park Service began restora- affected the area’s forest structure and health. tion of some structures in the 1940s, rebuilt Clover Hill, the original name of the village that several important buildings that were missing, would become Appomattox Court House, grad- and worked to preserve the natural and historic ually grew into a small settlement of cash-crop landscapes. farmers. The establishment of the Richmond- Before any restoration work began, research

was conducted as the park embarked on the cultural and historical resources and secure monumental task of rebuilding an entire village funding for cultural resource projects. In recent with as much historical accuracy as possible. years the park has acquired funding to catalog Researchers scoured historical tax and census thousands of archival documents, maps, and records, and they conducted archaeological drawings crucial to the long-term management fieldwork to help guide architects and construc- of the park, and to create several new exhibits. tion crews. This groundwork resulted in a The park’s historian has also played a central role research and implementation plan that guided in the development and implementation of the the management of the park’s cultural resources park’s highly successful living history program. for three decades. As a result of this early research and restoration work, the park has a ARCHAEOLOGY—RICH HISTORY wealth of information related to the historical REVEALED THROUGH EXCAVATIONS 11 development of the village and the establish- Extensive archaeological explorations at ment of the park itself. More recent research Appomattox Court House National Historical ark includes a historic resources study that was Park have unearthed a wealth of information completed in 2002. and artifacts. The entire landscape within the Although much historical research has been boundaries of the park is listed in the National completed, the park does not have many Register of Historic Places, and all of the key cultural resource management documents. archaeological sites within the park have been Once an updated general management plan is surveyed. The park has identified a total of 64 in place, however, it will provide guidance for archaeological sites; 48 sites have been entered staff on resource protection issues. In addition, into the Park Service’s Archeological Sites and with assistance from Park Service planning Management Information System database. The and interpretive specialists, staff plan to write a vast majority of these sites (42) are considered comprehensive interpretive plan to assist them to be in “good” condition. The premier archae- in fully integrating the park’s resources into the ological sites at the park include the McLean interpretive program and to guide the expan- House, the Appomattox Courthouse building, Appomattox Court House National Historical P sion of the program. The park does not have an and the Clover Hill Tavern. administrative history, but staff have requested The main challenge for the staff at funding to complete one. The park also would Appomattox Court House is to make more like to conduct more research on individual dynamic use of the data that have been soldiers who played a part in the surrender. collected over the past six decades, and incorpo- Supplementary funding would allow staff to rate those findings into the park’s interpretive conduct investigations at the National Archives exhibits, brochures, lectures, and living history in Washington, D.C., and at state archives. Staff program. Data on archaeological artifacts, and also would like to explore the role of African often the items themselves, are difficult to Americans at Appomattox Court House, both access. Although the park does not have its own free and enslaved persons, so that this informa- archaeologist, staff began to address these prob- tion can be incorporated into the park’s inter- lems by completing an archaeological overview pretive program. and assessment in 2004. This report details past Appomattox Court House National archaeological work and helps to guide future Historical Park employs both a full-time histo- research on the park’s archaeological resources. rian and a curator who work under the direction The park has received support from staff from of the superintendent to plan and oversee the the Park Service’s Northeast Region and the management and interpretation of the park’s Denver Service Center, as well as from a variety of professionals from outside the Park Service. Archaeologists have yet to fully explore the The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation remains of most of these craftsmen’s work- performed several archaeological excavations shops. Gaining information on these sites between 2000 and 2004 within the park bound- would round out the story of how the town aries, and the private company EnviroScan functioned prior to the historic surrender that visited the park in 2001, conducting initial ensured its place in history. This information geophysical surveys of the areas suspected to be could then be used to help visitors better under- the locations of the Woodson Law Office and stand the complete history of Appomattox the Charles Duiguid blacksmith shop. Scans at Court House. the site of the Woodson Law Office revealed Some aspects of the park’s history are at risk what appeared to be partial foundation piers for due to poaching. While the exact scope of 12 the structure, and work at the blacksmith shop poaching is unknown, the discovery of shallow found large quantities of slag and waste from holes within park boundaries indicates that ark ironworking. illegal pothunting occurs. Appomattox Court The residents of 19th-century Appomattox House has not had law enforcement officers for Court House relied upon the skills of one well over a decade because those positions were another to satisfy their needs for services and eliminated and the park has been unable to commercial goods. The necessary skilled crafts- secure funds to reinstate them. The local men included blacksmiths, carpenters, farriers sheriff’s office patrols the park but must incor- (horseshoers), wheelwrights (wheel builders), porate this along with its other law enforcement and coopers (wooden barrel makers). responsibilities.

Historic and reproduction furnishings, paintings, and architectural features fill many of the park’s NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Appomattox Court House National Historical P preserved structures. This picture shows a reproduction of the table (center of picture) that Generals Lee and Grant met over to sign the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. HISTORIC STRUCTURES—BUILDINGS FORM THE BACKBONE OF THE PARK’S CULTURAL RESOURCES Historic structures are the key elements of the cultural resources program at Appomattox NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Court House National Historical Park. The park preserves a total of 86 historic structures, 30 of which are buildings/dwellings. Seventeen of these structures are original. The Clover Hill Tavern was built in 1819 and is the oldest original structure in the park. The tavern later played a prominent role in the final days of the Civil 13 War, when printing presses were set up there to print 28,231 parole passes for Lee’s Confederate ark soldiers. These passes allowed them to travel home without the risk of being seized by Union forces or imprisoned as deserters by Confederates. With the construction of the courthouse in 1846, the village of Appomattox Court House of other very important historic structures over The Clover Hill began to grow. Another tavern built there in the past 60 years, including the Clover Hill Tavern shown here was in serious disre- 1848 later became a private residence and was Tavern, the Peers House (home of county clerk pair when the Park purchased by Wilmer McLean in 1862. After the George Peers; Confederate artillery were Service assumed war, the house was sold several times to stationed in the front yard and engaged Union management of it in investors, who deliberated how the site would be forces approaching the village), the servants’ 1933. To see how the memorialized. Captain Myron Dunlap organ- quarters of the Clover Hill Tavern, and the tavern looks today, turn to page 14. ized a group of former Union soldiers into the courthouse. The Park Service reconstructed the Appomattox Court House National Historical P Appomattox Land Company to purchase the courthouse in 1964 to resemble the original home in 1891, with aspirations of sending the structure, though the building’s interior was building to Chicago for the 1893 World’s Fair. redesigned to accommodate the park’s visitor This plan never came to fruition, but the new center. Even with the extensive reconstruction owner decided to go ahead with dismantling the and preservation work completed by the Park home. A new plan was in the works to relocate Service, about half of the buildings that were the house to a Civil War museum in located in the village in 1865 are missing from Washington, D.C. As funding for the private the current landscape. It is neither practical nor museum dried up, however, this plan also feasible to reconstruct all of these buildings, so stalled. Following the company’s bankruptcy the park staff must compensate for their absence house remained a pile of bricks for years, while when interpreting the rural 19th-century rot and relic hunters completed the destruction Virginia village to visitors. In addition to the of the historic structure. The Park Service inher- buildings, the park contains several historic ited the home in this condition and completed roads and lanes, the ruin of a cabin site, ceme- reconstruction of it in 1949, using more than teries and gravesites, and several commemora- 5,500 of the structure’s original bricks. tive markers that denote the locations of struc- In addition to the McLean House, the Park tures that are no longer standing. Service has reconstructed or preserved a number Staff recognize the importance of the park’s training in historic preservation and assume responsibility for coordinating the preservation

ALAN SPEARS and maintenance of historic structures. Housekeeping duties in historic structures and other areas are significant, but the park no longer has any staff devoted to this task. A recommendation prepared by the Northeast Museum Services Center states that the park needs two full-time permanent housekeepers to care for the pits furnished historic structures.

14 CULTURAL LANDSCAPES—APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE VILLAGE AND

ark BUILDINGS DRAW VISITORS At Appomattox Court House, settlers altered the natural lay of the land in several ways. Farmers cleared forests and fields for agriculture, developed farms with outbuildings, and fenced their properties. Settlers built homes, started busi- The Park Service historic structures, perform cyclical maintenance nesses, and constructed roads. Appomattox restored the Clover and upkeep on them, and have made the historic Court House National Historical Park recog- Hill Tavern in the structures a planning priority. As a result of these nizes two distinct cultural landscapes at the 1950s. Today, it houses exhibits, living efforts, 62 of the park’s structures are listed in park: the historic village center and the outlying history programs, either “good” or “fair” condition. An increase in areas surrounding the village. The village center and interpretive both staff and funding would help the park is better interpreted than outlying areas and is demonstrations. maintain the condition of these structures. anchored by three dominant structures: the Appomattox Court House does not have a Clover Hill Tavern, the Appomattox Appomattox Court House National Historical P historical architect or building preservation Courthouse, and the McLean House. Each of specialist on staff. Instead, the preservation these buildings has historical significance either duties are shared among park staff who receive relating to the formation of the town of assistance from Northeast Regional Park Service Appomattox Court House, the events surround- staff and private sector and academic profes- ing the surrender of the Army of Northern sionals. However, the regional office is undergo- Virginia, or both. A 2006 park report indicates ing a reduction in staff, which will result in the village cultural landscape is in “good” fewer visits to the park and a reduction or delay condition, and so are the outlying areas. in the assistance that can be provided. The cultural landscape outside the village The park has identified the need to add a includes the Sweeney Prizery and the respective professional building trades position to its full- headquarters of Generals Lee and Grant. A time staff. This professional would serve as the prizery is a building where cured tobacco is front line of defense against continual threats bundled or “prized” and made ready for trans- (mold, infestation, structural decay), identifying port. The two headquarters are located at oppo- these issues before they become serious prob- site ends of the park. The park’s updated lems and recommending and implementing general management plan, expected to be treatments. More than just a caretaker, a build- adopted in 2008, will regard the two main ing trades staff person would have advanced landscapes of the headquarters as separate enti- ties and will make planning and management MUSEUM COLLECTION AND recommendations accordingly. Currently, a ARCHIVES—MUSEUM TECHNICIAN 2007 cultural landscapes report guides the NEEDED TO HELP CARE FOR protection of these features. EXTENSIVE COLLECTIONS One major threat to the park’s landscapes is Appomattox Court House National Historical the high-speed vehicle traffic through the park Park preserves an impressive collection of on Virginia State Route 24. With traffic hurrying museum artifacts and archival materials. It past the park at or above the posted speed limit contains nearly 139,000 military and civilian of 55 miles per hour, crossing the road can be so items that relate not only to the end of the Civil risky that the park no longer directs visitors to War, but also to life in rural 19th-century cross Route 24 on foot from the village. Visitors Virginia. The collection contains military are encouraged to drive and park at the North objects, decorative arts, fine arts, and archaeo- 15 Carolina Monument and Lee’s Headquarters logical materials. Highlights include the pencil parking lots in order to access the Appomattox used by Robert E. Lee to edit the surrender docu- ark History Trail. The Virginia Department of ments, Lula McLean’s “silent witness doll,” and Transportation has not been receptive to reduc- a battle flag of the 61st Virginia Infantry given to ing the speed limit, installing traffic-calming the park in 1953 by the family of noted histo- devices along this stretch of road, or rerouting rian Douglas Southall Freeman, whose father Protective display the highway away from the park. In addition to was paroled at Appomattox. cases at the park’s personal safety issues, the highway also The park has one main curatorial facility visitor center, contributes to noise and air pollution, as well as with temperature and humidity controls, new located within the large quantities of litter from vehicles, which light fixtures, and no windows to let in sunlight restored park staff must collect regularly. The noise, that could damage fragile items. More than 90 Appomattox Courthouse build- pollution, and trash disrupt ranger-led interpre- percent of the park’s archival collection has ing, house items tive programs and make it difficult for the park been cataloged, and the history and archaeol- from the park’s to portray and interpret the village as a mid- ogy collections are fully cataloged, thanks to the museum collection. 19th-century landscape. work of outside vendors and a term employee Appomattox Court House National Historical P The other major threat to the park’s cultural the park was able to hire for this project. resources is the increasing popularity of The park’s two-story museum complex Appomattox County as a “bedroom commu- inside the Appomattox Courthouse building nity” for people who work in nearby Lynchburg. contains a theater, an electronic map, and Residential development adjacent to the park several interpretive displays—including photo- would seriously detract from the 19th-century graphs and mini-biographies of several Union character of most of the park’s historic viewshed. and Confederate soldiers who fought at The park is partially protected from this threat by Appomattox Court House or were present for several forested areas along its boundary. One the surrender. Among the remarkable photo- particularly important area, however, where the graphs on display is that of Joseph L. Pierce, one Confederate forces attempted to break Union of the very few soldiers of Chinese descent to lines in a last-ditch escape effort, is highly fight in the Civil War. vulnerable to potential development that would In addition to the park’s museum, several of mar its historic character. The park’s superin- Appomattox Court House’s historic structures tendent works with town and county officials on also are used to display museum artifacts. Items planning activities to mitigate the effects of on display at the Meeks Store are representative nearby development on the park’s character. of a typical mid-19th-century rural store. They are placed behind Plexiglas, which helps to NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

protect them from dirt, dust, and insect damage. but installation of suppression systems is not This level of protection is not provided in other yet planned. park structures that house exhibits. To mitigate Protection of the park’s museum collection these circumstances, park staff have made a and archives is hampered by a history of incon- concerted effort to ensure the most delicate arti- sistent record keeping. Some items donated to facts are stored and exhibited in the most the park in the 1950s and ’60s later were protected areas. returned to their owners without proper docu- Park staff estimate that just 5 percent of the mentation of the transactions. collection is on display to the public due to a Employing a museum technician would lack of suitable exhibit space with appropriate allow the park to clear up confusion stemming climate and light controls to guard against from past record-keeping inconsistencies. This 16 damage and decay. Also, many of the artifacts staff member would also clean and conserve within the collection are archaeological frag- objects, prepare objects for storage and exhibit, ark ments or archival documents, which do not oversee housekeeper schedules, and provide lend themselves to exhibit. Exposure to direct clerical support. The park has requested funds light is particularly a problem for uniforms, to support this position. leather goods, original photographs, and docu- A collection condition survey was completed ments. To showcase items that can safely be in summer 2008. Once written up into a final exhibited, the park has plans to install addi- report, the findings will help park staff better tional display cases. understand the condition of the museum Another serious threat to historic buildings collection and plan how to best manage items and the artifacts stored within them is the lack in need of conservation treatment. of fire suppression systems within the structures. Fire detection systems are being upgraded,

After the signing of the surrender, a Appomattox Court House National Historical P printing press like this reproduction was set up in the Clover NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Hill Tavern and produced 28,231 parole passes for Confederate soldiers. ALAN SPEARS

17 ark Appomattox Court House National Historical P

NATURAL RESOURCES— United States. As a result, the park’s preeminent Appomattox Court YOUNG PROGRAM MAKING STRIDES resources are historical and cultural. In fact, House National Historical Park WITH FEW RESOURCES when the park was created, the natural resources preserves a host of of the area were not given much consideration. natural habitats, The assessment rated the overall condition of But it is the policy and responsibility of the including riparian and natural resources at Appomattox Court House National Park Service to protect all resources wetland areas that National Historical Park a score of 71 out of regardless of the impetus behind a park’s estab- support numerous plant and animal 100, which ranks park resources in “fair” condi- lishment. The natural resource management species. Park staff are tion. Prominent factors influencing the ratings program at the 1,743-acre park was initiated in working to prevent include damage caused by cattle grazing within 2000 and has one part-time staff person. While non-native invasive the park and the entrenchment of invasive non- the park has made a good start analyzing its plant species from native plants in the park’s forests and fields. natural resource base and managing some invading these important habitats. Appomattox Court House National aspects of it, much more remains to be done. Historical Park was established to commemorate a monumental event in the history of the The park’s two main habitats are woodlands and open agricultural fields/grasslands. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

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PARK HABITATS—STAFF WORKING TO converted 70 acres of fields to native warm- PROMOTE DIVERSITY season grasses to reflect the fallow fields that Appomattox Court House National Historical were used for pasture in 1860s farming prac- Park’s historic village comprises just 30 acres, tices. These native grass fields provide grassland Appomattox Court House National Historical P while two main habitats prevail in the remain- habitat for other wildlife species, such as north- ing 1,713 acres of the park—woodlands and ern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and field open agricultural fields/grasslands. These lands sparrow (Spizella pusilla), which prefer bunch- provide opportunities to promote habitat diver- type grasses. Additionally, the park has imple- sity along with historic character. Leased to local mented varying haying and cutting schedules farmers, nearly 400 acres are maintained as throughout the different field types. The result open agricultural lands to reflect the rural char- has been an increase in habitat, which has acter of 1865. About half are planted in fescue increased the number of grassland nesting birds for hay production, and the remaining are used such as grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus as pastures for cattle grazing. The non-native, savannarum), eastern meadowlark, and field turf-type fescue grasses in these fields provide sparrow. As funding becomes available, the park habitat for some grassland wildlife species, such would like to increase the acreage of native as eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna) and warm-season grasses. cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus). Fescue was not The park has targeted 19 non-native plant grown in the 1860s, however, and the large species for control to promote healthy forest expanses of grass do not accurately reflect the and riparian plant communities. Since the mosaic of small crop fields of the 1860s. To program began in 2000, park staff and promote habitat diversity, the park has members of the Park Service’s Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team have treated plant species. Without any protective barriers, about 700 acres, following plans outlined in the the cattle have direct access to certain streams park’s Strategic Plan for Managing Alien Invasive where they trample sensitive vegetation, leading Vegetation. The park has achieved significant to decreased water quality as the vegetation that reductions in the numbers of four priority once filtered out sediment and slowed erosion targets—multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), dies. Fecal contamination from the cattle and Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), privet sedimentation and soil erosion resulting from (Ligustrum cuneata), and tree of heaven their use of the land threaten water quality and (Ailanthus altissima). the land’s value as wildlife habitat. Between 1999 and 2001, the park removed LAND USE—ACTIVITIES WITHIN AND cattle from 171 acres. There are currently 196 OUTSIDE THE PARK THREATEN acres being leased for cattle grazing, while 187 19 RESOURCES acres are set aside for hay production. As a As a way to maintain certain historic landscapes, result of this reduction, staff have seen an ark the Park Service began leasing parkland for improvement in the health of vegetation grazing in the 1940s, and by the late 1990s cattle surrounding streams. In addition to limiting Today the Park were extensively used to maintain the fields. grazing leases, staff are reexamining the Service leases about While leasing the land for grazing is a cost-effec- grazing program to ensure that water quality, 187 acres of park tive way for the park to maintain this cultural habitat, and soil protection issues are fully land to local farmers to produce hay, landscape, overgrazed fields do not provide considered. To further protect riparian vegeta- which helps to main- adequate habitat for native wildlife, and grazing tion buffers, the park plans to fence off all of tain the historic rural encourages the growth of certain non-native the streams in areas where cattle graze. landscape. ALAN SPEARS Appomattox Court House National Historical P Agriculture—particularly hay production current authorized boundary are privately and cattle grazing—dominates on the land owned. The park would like to ensure that these surrounding the park, though change is lands are protected from development. coming to the area. Residential and commer- Roads that run through or adjacent to the cial developments are encroaching on the park are the biggest threat to the area’s wildlife. park, especially along its southwestern bound- As mentioned in the “Cultural Landscapes” ary. One primary factor driving this develop- section, Virginia State Route 24 divides the park ment is the growing popularity of Appomattox in two with high-speed traffic. Wildlife often County with commuters who work in find safe passage across Route 24 to be impossi- Lynchburg, Virginia. The park is mitigating the ble. Vehicular accidents involving deer and threats from this adjacent development by small wildlife happen almost daily in the fall. 20 maintaining forested areas along park bound- Besides the dangers to wildlife and visitors, aries and planting additional trees to maintain Route 24 is also a major source of litter and air ark the park’s viewshed. Development on neigh- and noise pollution. boring lands jeopardizes water quality within the park’s streams by increasing storm water WILDLIFE AND PLANT COMMUNITIES— runoff, sedimentation, and inorganic pollu- BURGEONING NATURAL RESOURCE tants that wash into the streams. Development PROGRAM FOCUSING ON NATIVE also increases the amount of automobile SPECIES REINTRODUCTION traffic traveling through the park. In general, Appomattox Court House staff have Development within the park is also a poten- limited information on the park’s wildlife and tial concern. About 75 acres within the park’s plant communities, although a number of

Virginia State Route 24 runs directly

through Appomattox ALAN SPEARS Court House National Historical Appomattox Court House National Historical P Park, bringing vehicles (including heavy trucks) through the park at high speeds. This traffic detracts from the park’s historical landscape and poses a threat to visitors and wildlife. A recent herpetological survey docu-

ALAN SPEARS mented 14 reptile species at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, including the black rat snake (shown here).

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species inventories have been completed. The the park has begun to enhance habitat for grass- park does not host any known threatened or land birds by planting 70 acres of native grasses endangered species, but the list of park wildlife and postponing mowing in pastures until after is by no means meager. For example, the park the nesting season. This helps to ensure nests Appomattox Court House National Historical P harbors at least 21 mammalian species, although built on the ground are not damaged and park staff speculate that the actual number is closer to maintenance programs do not harm nestlings. 38 species, as surveys might not have covered all The Park Service’s Inventory and Monitoring habitats or identified rare or elusive species. surveys counted 30 species of fish in park The park provides habitat for about 100 waters, including several introduced species. species of birds, including 20 species of special This number also includes American eels concern as designated by Partners in Flight and (Anguilla rostrata), a native species that is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, such as field considered to be in decline in the eastern sparrow (Spizella pusilla) and wood thrush United States. A recent herpetological survey (Hylocichla mustelina). Some of the park’s most counted 19 amphibian and 14 reptile species at common avian species include red-eyed vireo Appomattox Court House. One amphibian, the (Vireo olivaceus), northern cardinal (Cardinalis mole salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum), is cardinalis), indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea), designated as a species of concern in Virginia and American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). due to its scarcity. Grassland bird species found at the park include With a total of 498 individual species, the the savannah sparrow (Passerculus park supports a wide array of flora, though sandwichensis), eastern meadowlark, and more than 100 are non-native species. The park grasshopper sparrow. As previously mentioned, does not currently have the staff needed to fully eradicate invasive non-native plants in the park; AIR AND WATER QUALITY—LIMITED for many invasive plants, park staffing levels are DATA AVAILABLE sufficient only for slowing their spread. Appomattox Court House National Historical Preventing infestations of non-native plants Park has numerous water resources within its The eastern mead- into intact native plant communities and sensi- boundaries, including portions of the owlark is one of about tive habitats, such as wetlands and riparian Appomattox River, more than eight miles of 100 species of birds corridors, is an important park goal. streams, wetlands and riparian areas, and vernal found at Appomattox In addition to non-native removal and pools. These resources are important parts of Court House National Historical replanting native vegetation, the park has devel- the park’s habitats, supporting many wildlife Park. This grassland oped a prescribed burn management plan to species. The park does not have a permanent bird benefits from guide the use of fire within the park for the water quality monitoring station, however, and 22 park management management of native grass fields. The use of data on overall water quality are lacking. As strategies that include fire as a management tool will help native plant mentioned previously, cattle grazing in the park, postponing mowing ark operations until after species gain a foothold back into the ecosystem agricultural activities on adjacent lands, and the nesting season. and improve the area for native wildlife. upstream urbanization are noted as threats to park water quality. The results of limited sampling indicate that the park’s streams currently meet federal and state standards under the Clean Water Act, but further water quality monitoring is needed so that any impairment can be detected. Appomattox Court House National Historical Park has been identified as a Class II air quality area. Class II areas are protected under the Clean Air Act, but they are not regulated as stringently as Class I areas. The Mid-Atlantic region of the United States has some of the worst Appomattox Court House National Historical P air quality in the country. While a significant portion of the pollution can be traced back to the burning of coal and oil for electricity by power plants in the Ohio River Valley, local power plants and vehicles also have an impact. In addition, new power plants proposed in Virginia and North Carolina could affect park air quality. While there are no air quality monitoring stations within Appomattox Court House, there are five monitoring stations within 60 miles of the park. Data from these stations indicate that certain pollutant concentrations may be improving slightly; wet concentration and deposition of sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium have all decreased since 1990. However, ozone poses a moderate risk to sensitive plants in the park and visibility in the area is impaired, prima- rily due to combustion by-products. © ROBERT BLANCHARD about $50,000 whenannualpay increasesand park’ budget hassteadilyincreased since1998,the for 2007 was $1,275,000.Whilethepark’s National HistoricalPark’s operationalbudget administration. AppomattoxCourtHouse funding itreceives from Congressandthe ability toprotectitsresourcesisthelimited most significantfactoraffectingthepark’s Service isequippedtoprotecttheparks. The Stewardship capacityexplores how well thePark PARK’SAFFECT RESOURCES AND STAFFING—SHORTAGESFUNDING STEWARDSHIP CAPACITY s actualbuyingpo w er hasdecreasedb y constraints and hasfounditdifficulttosecure nent staffpositionssince2001 duetobudget restoration attheClover HillTavern. Clover Hill servants’ quarters, andmasonry tation ofthepark’ Additional unfundedprojects includerehabili- study andagrasslandbirdnestingsurvey. biological researchsuchasamolesalamander control, culturallandscapemanagement,and resource projects, including invasive plant to fullyexecutecertainnaturalandcultural absorbed by theparkareconsidered. other mandatedincreasesthatha The parkhaslostnineseasonal andperma At thislevel offunding,theparkisnotable s roads , chimneyrepairatthe ve been - original str to resemble the Courthouse in1964 Appomattox structed the Park Servicerecon- down in1892.The Courthouse burned Appomattox The original park’s visitor center. accommodate the r ing’s interiorwas though thebuild- edesigned to uctur e,

RYAN GRAHAM 23 Appomattox Court House National Historical Park A park ranger explains one of

Appomattox Court ALAN SPEARS House’s interpretive waysides to a visitor. The park needs three or four more interpretive rangers to serve visitors.

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funds for any new staff positions. Needed posi- park’s historic property agricultural leasing tions in the museum services division include program makes it difficult to ensure that partici- Appomattox Court House National Historical P an archivist, a museum technician, and two pants are meeting all requirements of the leases. housekeepers. The park needs its three perma- Issues that can arise from this lack of oversight nent maintenance work positions restored, as include the misapplication of fertilizers and well as a building trades professional to coordi- herbicides, overgrazing of livestock, increased nate the preservation and maintenance of soil erosion, and loss of wildlife habitat. historic structures. To ensure resources are safe Lack of staff also diminishes the effective- from poaching, the park needs to reestablish a ness of the invasive plant control program, law enforcement division. A recent park report prevents implementation of regular water identified the need for five full-time law monitoring programs, and limits spatial data enforcement rangers and one supervisory gathering for natural and cultural resources, as ranger. Three or four additional interpretive well as reduces the park’s ability to monitor rangers are needed to bolster the park’s interpre- forest pests and health, carry out integrative tive program and increase the presence of Park pest management programs, carry out Service personnel throughout the park. National Environmental Policy Act compli- The park employs just one part-time natural ance programs, and conduct biological surveys resource staff person, which has implications for to detect potentially important information the preservation of both natural and cultural such as bird population changes. resources. The absence of key staff to oversee the Staff also are not available for regular care

and maintenance of historic landscaping in the RESOURCE EDUCATION—PARK BOASTS village. The trees in the historic village have TOP-NOTCH LIVING HISTORY PROGRAM suffered from a lack of preventative mainte- Appomattox Court House National Historical nance and limited replacement when trees are Park is renowned for its living history programs, damaged or die. At least two biological techni- which employ staff in full period costumes cians are needed to meet the natural resource portraying historical figures related to the Civil goals for this park. War, the Appomattox Campaign, and the events associated with the surrender at Appomattox PARK PLANNING—STAFF AWAIT Court House. These living history programs GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN introduce visitors to a Federal Provost Guard FINALIZATION soldier, a paroled Confederate soldier, and a Staff dressed in full 25 The most important management plan for a 19th-century Appomattox Court House resi- period costumes national park is the general management plan, dent. In order to master these living history introduce historical which staff rely on to guide their planning and roles, staff extensively research their “charac- figures to visitors at ark decisionmaking. Appomattox Court House ters,” and some learn regional dialects and Appomattox Court House. These efforts National Historical Park’s last general manage- patterns of speech. The park’s living history are an integral part of ment plan was written in 1977; staff are programs are the core interpretive experience at the park’s renowned currently waiting for the final version of an Appomattox Court House, yet the park has been living history program. updated general management plan to be approved by the director of the National Park Service and the Department of Interior. Once the new general management plan is approved, the park can seek funds to begin planning its resource stewardship strategy, which will replace NATIONAL PARK SERVICE its outdated resource management plan. The development of a comprehensive interpretive plan also will move forward after the general Appomattox Court House National Historical P management plan is adopted. This plan is needed to help park staff think more broadly about the best ways in which to organize and present interpretive materials in a comprehensive fashion. In addition to these management plans, the park has identified the need for several natural resource plans: field management plan (including a riparian buffer protection plan), historic village tree replacement plan, forest management plan, and a revised strategic plan for invasive plant management. Several resource studies are needed, including investigations of the ecology of mole salamanders within the park and a survey of nesting grassland bird species. The delay in writing and finalizing these plans and studies is attributed to a lack of funding and staff. and programs, however, and during peak visitation the facilities (i.e., rest rooms, theatre, information desk) become overcrowded and visitors experience delays. The visitor center is housed NATIONAL PARK SERVICE inside the restored historic village courthouse, so it will not be expanded to increase exhibit space and alleviate crowding. Instead, the park’s draft general management plan includes strategies to create interpretive exhibits in other park structures. In preparation for the sesquicentennial of the 26 Civil War (2011–2015), the National Park Service is organizing an effort to further improve inter- ark pretation. Information may be found on the Park Service’s official Civil War website: http://cwar.nps.gov/civilwar/abcivwarSesqInit.htm.

EXTERNAL SUPPORT—VOLUNTEERS ASSIST STAFF At current staffing levels, the park must rely on volunteers to provide certain services. In 2007, the park benefited from the contributions of 24 regular volunteers and 226 Boy Scouts, who collectively donated 3,100 hours of service to the park. Volunteers help with interpretive tours and living history programs, staff the visitor center, help visitors conduct research at the Appomattox Court House National Historical P This exhibit, housed forced to fund these entirely by donations from park’s library, and help staff maintain the park in the park’s visitor Eastern National, its cooperating association, by removing litter, repairing fences, and main- center, interprets the since 1988 because of a lack of funding from taining hiking trails. life of Ely S. Parker, a Seneca Indian chief Congress and the administration. Appomattox Court House National who served on In 2007, the park provided 821 living history Historical Park does not currently have a General Grant’s staff programs, in addition to 15 off-site interpretive friends group. The park’s primary partner is the and was present at programs. At current staffing levels, the park is Civil War Preservation Trust, the nation’s the signing of unable to expand its hours of operation during largest nonprofit organization dedicated solely General Lee’s surrender. The visitor center the summer to accommodate the increase in to the preservation of endangered Civil War is now filled with visitation, and no ranger programs are provided battlefields. The trust assists the park with land exhibits and does not beyond basic staffing of the McLean House and acquisition and has purchased four properties have room for more; the visitor center. within the park’s viewshed, along the old in addition, it gets crowded during peak In addition to living history programs and LeGrand Road. The trust has also applied for a visitation times. The ranger talks, visitors to Appomattox Court $1 million grant to preserve the Appomattox park is exploring House can learn about the park’s history Station battlefield. ideas for exhibits in through a wide variety of exhibits housed at the Eastern National, the park’s cooperating other structures. visitor center. The visitor center has reached association, operates the park’s bookstore. As maximum capacity to house exhibit displays mentioned previously, donations from this organization have supported the park’s living WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP: history program for the past two decades. The park also works with a number of local • Participate in park planning efforts. The public is invited to organizations and state agencies to protect and provide input on all park plans and studies. Check improve the park’s resources. For example, the www.nps.gov/apco for information on current planning work. Virginia Department of Game and Inland • Support or become a member of a group helping to Fisheries and Virginia Department of Forestry protect the park: Civil War Preservation Trust provide the park with technical assistance in (www.civilwar.org), Eastern National (www.easternnational.org), managing natural resources. The park partners NPCA (www.npca.org/support_npca), and other regional with several area colleges in a program that organizations. enables students and interns to conduct archaeological research and water-quality • Volunteer. Appomattox Court House National Historical 27 studies. The Robert E. Lee Soil and Water Park is looking for dedicated people who can lend a helping Conservation District provides technical assis- hand. To learn about opportunities, contact Alyssa Holland, ark tance and presents informative talks to park VIP coordinator, at 434.352.8987, ext. 34 or 26; email: visitors. The park recognizes the importance of [email protected]. these partnerships and plans to continue • Become an NPCA activist and learn about legislative initia- them, as well as to seek increased participation tives and protection projects affecting parks. When you join from community organizations. our activist network, you will receive Park Lines, a monthly electronic newsletter with the latest park news and ways you can help. Join by visiting www.npca.org/takeaction.

Split-rail fences were easy for farmers to

ALAN SPEARS build because they didn’t require running

boards on a saw mill. Appomattox Court House National Historical P Volunteers help maintain the reproduction fences at the park. APPENDIX: METHODOLOGY

28 To determine the condition of known natural and cultural resources at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and other ark national parks, the National Parks Conservation Association developed a resource NATIONAL PARK SERVICE assessment and ratings process. The assessment methodology can be found online at NPCA’s Center for State of the Parks website: www.npca.org/stateoftheparks. Researchers gather available information from a variety of sources in a number of critical categories. The natural resources rating reflects assessment of more than 120 discrete elements associated with environmental quality, biotic health, and ecosystem integrity. Environmental quality and biotic health meas-

Appomattox Court House National Historical P ures address air, water, soils, and climatic change conditions as well as their influences and human-related influences on plants and animals. Ecosystems measures address the extent, species composition, and interrelation- ships of organisms with each other and the physical environment. A park ranger leads visitors on a tour of The scores for cultural resources are deter- historic structures at Appomattox Court mined based on the results of indicator ques- House National Historical Park. tions that reflect the National Park Service’s own Cultural Resource Management Guideline prepared a paper that summarized the results. and other Park Service resource management The draft underwent peer review and was also policies. reviewed by staff at Appomattox Court House Stewardship capacity refers to the Park National Historical Park. Service’s ability to protect park resources, and NPCA’s Center for State of the Parks repre- includes discussion of funding and staffing sents the first time that such assessments have levels, park planning documents, resource been undertaken for units of the National Park education, and external support. System. Comments on the program’s methods For this report, researchers collected data and are welcome. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

For more information about the NPCA thanks the staff at Appomattox Court Center for State of the Parks® House National Historical Park who reviewed the and this and other program reports, contact: factual accuracy of information used in this report. We also thank peer reviewers for their valuable National Parks Conservation Association comments and suggestions. Center for State of the Parks® PO Box 737 CENTER FOR STATE OF THE PARKS® Fort Collins, CO 80522 ADVISORY COUNCIL Phone: 970.493.2545 E-mail: [email protected] Dr. Dorothy Canter Or visit us at www.npca.org/stateoftheparks/ The Johns Hopkins University Dr. Francisco Dallmeier National Parks Conservation Association Smithsonian Institution Virginia Field Office Catharine Gilliam, Senior Program Manager Dr. Sylvia Earle Phone: 540.886.6722 National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Email: [email protected] Dr. Glenn E. Haas Colorado State University Primary researchers: Megan Lowery and Alan Spears Writer: Daniel Saxton Bruce Judd Editor: Elizabeth Meyers Architectural Resources Group Copy Editor: Kelly Senser Karl Komatsu Design/Layout: Paul Caputo Komatsu Architecture Center for State of the Parks Staff: Dr. Thomas Lovejoy Dr. James Nations, Vice President H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics, Dr. Gail Dethloff, Director and the Environment Erin McPherson, Cultural Resources Program Manager Robert Melnick Elizabeth Meyers, Publications Manager University of Oregon Cathy Norris, Program Assistant Kat Byerly, Cultural Resources Coordinator Dr. Kenton Miller Megan Lowery, Natural Resources Coordinator World Resources Institute, World Commission on Daniel Saxton, Publications Coordinator Protected Areas Dr. Roger Sayre United States Geological Survey Dr. William Schlesinger Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Dr. Lee Talbot George Mason University

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