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Preservation Groups would greatly exacerbate the significance that we have a duty to problem. A new casino located so safeguard for future generations.” Declare Opposition to close to this sacred soil is simply “I remember four years ago when our New Gettysburg Casino unacceptable.” organizations joined a dedicated After preliminary plans for the casino group of local activists to defeat this Proposal became public in late 2009, each short-sighted scheme the first time. Proposal poses direct threat to preservation organization performed No matter where I went, anywhere in National Park and America’s most its own independent due diligence the country, people were astounded famous small town investigation, including meeting with at the very idea of a gambling casino (Gettysburg, Pa.) – In a letter dated Mr. LeVan personally, before at Gettysburg,” said CWPT president January 26, 2010, a coalition of state reaching the same conclusion: the James Lighthizer. “There was a and national preservation groups site’s proximity to the hallowed near-universal agreement that conveyed to Adams County, Pa., ground of Gettysburg creates an locating and marketing a gambling businessman David LeVan their inappropriate juxtaposition damaging facility at Gettysburg unavoidably decision to oppose his effort to open to the national park. conflicts with the essential meaning of a casino a half-mile to the south of “We remain committed to protecting this place in American history.” Gettysburg National Military Park. In our national icon—Gettysburg A. Roy Smith, chairman of the board the letter, the Civil War Preservation National Military Park” said Tom of Preservation Pennsylvania, Trust, National Parks Conservation Kiernan, president of the National reiterated that the fundamental Association, National Trust for Parks Conservation Association. “A reasoning behind his group’s Historic Preservation and casino conflicts with the heritage- opposition to a Gettysburg-area Preservation Pennsylvania cited the based economy of Gettysburg, with casino has not changed. “We remain location’s proximity to the battlefield its meaning in American history steadfast in our opposition to any as a direct threat, noting that the today, and with its future relevance.” casino proposed in close proximity to potential development and traffic If licensed, the casino would be the Gettysburg National Military impacts place the National Park at incorporated into the existing Park. Preservation Pennsylvania’s further risk. Eisenhower Resort and Conference reasons for including this sacred After thanking LeVan for his outreach Center, just one half-mile from the place on the 2006 Pennsylvania At to the preservation community in this boundary of Gettysburg National Risk listing have not changed — a matter and his generosity to various Military Park. The site is also within casino near this highly significant site, local philanthropic causes, the four the historically sensitive “study area” in any location, is inappropriate.” groups stressed that their position of the battlefield, as defined by the In addition to the proposal’s proximity does not stem from any opposition to American Battlefield Protection to the national park, the letter outlined gambling, but, rather, from “our Program (the battlefield preservation additional concerns with the project, longstanding commitment to ensuring arm of the National Park Service). including potential impact on the that singular and significant historic Not only is this proposal significantly region’s vibrant heritage tourism sites like the Gettysburg Battlefield closer to the park than the 2006 industry. Citing current visitation are treated with the respect and Crossroads Gaming Resort and Spa statistics and scientific economic consideration they deserve.” plan, it also lies along the impact analysis, the groups “Some places are just too important Emmitsburg Road, at the heart of the concluded that “the combination of to be treated with anything less than Journey Through Hallowed Ground Civil War preservation and the family the greatest respect, and Gettysburg National Scenic Byway (created in friendly nature of Adams County has is one of those places,” said Richard October 2009) and Journey Through created a proven, winning formula for Moe, president of the National Trust Hallowed Ground National Heritage the park and its neighboring for Historic Preservation. “Anyone Area (signed into law in May 2008). communities. A casino will conflict who has visited the battlefield in Such designations are not with this proven economic engine— recent years can attest to the fact that undertaken lightly and, according to heritage tourism, and development commercial development is the letter, “reinforce our belief that compatible with and respectful of that threatening the visitor experience at this is a region of tremendous historic heritage.” Gettysburg, and this proposed casino
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The letter further noted that the Management Plan, he didn't expect For example, he said, Petersburg has portion of Cumberland Township major changes in park policy. been working to make the story of the where the casino would be located Petersburg's General Management battle there more relevant to the local predominantly features residential Plan was modeled in some respects black community. dwellings and agricultural operations, on Gettysburg's, and Kirby said his "Telling the story of weapons and with limited and generally small-scale experience there would serve him in logistics and tactics is only part of it," commercial development good stead. The Virginia park has he said. "Battlefields are great occasionally intermixed. The groups restored key battlefield sites in recent classrooms." expressed the opinion that the facility years, developed its infrastructure, In a Park Service news release, he would “have the potential to and is in the process of acquiring a described historic sties as "rich significantly increase traffic through train station, much like the Gettysburg classrooms where we can explore our the area, generate more incompatible battlefield, he said. The Petersburg development as a nation." large-scale development, and would job, like Gettysburg, also included the "Few other nations openly reveal their likely necessitate the kind of eye- management of a national cemetery. history - the good and the bad - as we catching signage that would be out of do here in the United States," he place in what has up to now been a continued. "That alone makes relatively undeveloped area.” managing the national treasures in Va. battlefield Gettysburg a profoundly humbling and vastly rewarding experience." superintendent to take KIRBY'S BACKGROUND reins at Gettysburg Bob Kirby was appointed York (Pa) Daily Record, January 9, superintendent of Petersburg 2010 National Battlefield in Virginia in Bob Kirby will begin in March. He 2001. He previously served as replaces John Latschar, who was assistant superintendent at Delaware reassigned after the discovery of Water Gap National Recreation Area, evidence he had downloaded a 70,000-acre park in Pennsylvania sexually explicit images on his office and New Jersey. computer. Kirby's prior assignments include chief of interpretation at Lowell After nine years in charge of the battlefield at Petersburg, Va., Bob NPS photo National Historical Park, Lowell, Kirby has been named the new "Bob is a seasoned veteran who Mass, 1990-95; environmental superintendent of Gettysburg combines demonstrated leadership protection specialist, Defense National Military Park and skills with experience in managing an Logistics Agency, Ogden, Utah, Eisenhower National Historic Site. important Civil War site", National 1986-90; outdoor recreation director He is expected to assume his new Park Service Northeast Regional with the Department of the Army in post in March. Acting superintendent Director Dennis R. Reidenbach said West Germany, 1983-86; and Mel Poole will return to his position as in a news release. "As we look ahead assignments as a district ranger, sub- superintendent of Catoctin Mountain to the 150th anniversary of the district supervisor and interpretative Park in Thurmont, Md. conflict, Bob is the right individual to ranger at Golden Gate National Kirby said Friday he expected oversee both the best known Civil Recreation Area in San Francisco preparations for the 150th War park in the national park system, from 1974-83. anniversary of the Battle of and to manage a significant He has a bachelor's degree in Gettysburg in 2013 would be a major presidential site." Recreation and Leisure Studies and a focus for him early on. Asked about declining visitation at master's degree in Recreation and Though he said he'd been given Gettysburg, Kirby said it was up to Park Management from San "some latitude" in pursuing his own superintendent and staff to see to it a Francisco State University. goals under the General park was relevant to visitors.
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Gettysburg will remove building dates to 1935 and does not parcel, located only a half mile from contribute to the national significance Little Round Top and due west of modern intrusions from of the park, as documented on the Devil’s Den, has been a top land Devil’s Den National Register of Historic Places. acquisition priority for historians and NPS Press Release, February 10, The current roadways, visitor parking, preservationists for many years. 2010 and paths at Devil’s Den, as well as “Virtually everyone who has ever Gettysburg National Military Park and the pedestrian bridge over Plum Run, come to Gettysburg, seeking to walk the Gettysburg Foundation will be will stay. Visitors will be directed to the fields of the Civil War’s greatest working together this spring to use other park restrooms nearby, battle, has passed by this land,” said remove modern intrusions from such as at the South End Guide CWPT president James Lighthizer. Devil’s Den on the Gettysburg Station on Emmitsburg Road and “As significant as the protection of battlefield. next to the Pennsylvania Memorial. large swaths of historic land can be, The Gettysburg Foundation has The project is part of a long term plan getting critical in-holdings like this one raised funds to remove the restroom to return the major battle action areas under protection of the National Park as well as the intrusive utility lines of the park to their appearance at the Service cannot be overemphasized. I that provide power to it. The time of the fighting in July 1863. The am proud that we have been able to Foundation will also bury intrusive Gettysburg Foundation is funding and assist the park in ensuring the future overhead utility lines in several areas managing the project on behalf of the of this historic landscape.” in the southern part of the battlefield National Park Service. Purchasing this land has been such a near the historic Althoff, Slyder, and Prior to making the decision to priority for the National Park Service Trostle farms. remove the restroom building, the that it already had funds on hand, Initially, the Park had asked the National Park Service consulted with approved by Congress, for the effort. Foundation to raise funds to bury the the Pennsylvania Historical and But in late 2009, when the intrusive power lines to the Devil’s Museum Commission. landowners expressed a desire to Den restroom but concerns about CWPT ANNOUNCES sell, the property, which also includes potential environmental impacts to two modern homes, appraised well the floodplain and the geology, as FUNDRAISING beyond the park’s ability to pay. well as the expense of burying the CAMPAIGN TO Acting quickly, before a new private lines in a boulder field, led to the PROTECT HALLOWED landowner could purchase and further decision to remove the restroom develop the property, CWPT stepped altogether, in favor of returning more GROUND AT in and put it under contract. After of the area to its battle era GETTYSBURG closing, CWPT will in turn sell the appearance. CWPT Press Release, January 20, land to the National Park Service for “The building is in a sensitive location 2010 $300,000, the sum initially allocated for the environment and for the Privately held land lies along the by the federal government. historic scene,” said J. Mel Poole, Emmitsburg Road, at the heart of the Transferring such historic land to a interim superintendent for Gettysburg Gettysburg Battlefield responsible stewardship entity, like NMP. “We think we can offer comfort (Gettysburg, Pa.) – The Civil War the National Park Service, is always facilities for the visitors elsewhere Preservation Trust (CWPT), CWPT’s ultimate goal when it and do a better job with preserving America’s largest nonprofit battlefield secures a significant section of the the historic battlefield here.” preservation group, today announced battlefield. And in this case, finally The boulders of Devil’s Den and the a fundraising campaign to preserve a taking possession of this land will be nearby stream known as Plum Run crucial in-holding on the Gettysburg a long-anticipated victory for the park, are significant “major battle action Battlefield. Originally part of the allowing for greater interpretation and areas” of the Gettysburg battlefield. historic Philip Snyder farm, the access along this portion of the Benning’s and Law’s Confederate property lies directly along the battlefield. According to interim brigades advanced across the area Emmitsburg Road and today is superintendent J. Mel Poole, “This while attacking the lines of the Union entirely surrounded by Gettysburg will help the National Park Service army on July 2, 1863. The restroom National Military Park. The two-acre restore the Phillip Snyder farm, the
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THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER scene of Confederate battle lines and Calkins’ work paid off when he provided the missing link in the the advance on the Union positions at located the battlefield years later on a events leading up to General Robert Devil’s Den on July 2, 1863.” 47-acre tract owned by Jamerson E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Lighthizer further stressed the land’s Trucking Company. Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865. historic pedigree. “Nearly a third of Luckily, Calkins said, the site was The battle between the Union the Union Army marched right by — largely undeveloped and he was able Cavalry, led by General George and likely across — this property as to verify his discovery through the Custer, and Confederate Artillery, they double-quicked up the artillery remnants that he unearthed headed by General Lindsey Walker, Emmitsburg Road into Gettysburg on on the property. “was another nail in the coffin” for the July 1, 1863. They had no idea they This month, Calkins’ quest came full Confederates and, ultimately, paved were rushing headlong into the circle when the 47-acre tract was the way to the battle of Appomattox bloodiest battle of the entire war. The purchased by The Civil War Court House and Lee’s surrender the next day, this land stood just a few Preservation Trust, a national following day, he said. dozen yards from the Confederate organization devoted to preserving Before the discovery, the story of the line, and saw the beginning of the old battlefields. Civil War’s end was incomplete, said assaults that would end in blood at The trust’s spokeswoman, Mary Koik, Appomattox County Tourism Director the Wheatfield and Devil’s Den. It is said that the battlefield’s preservation Anne Dixon. not often – if ever – that we who care would not have been possible without “Your visitors were missing the about saving America’s Civil War Calkins. middle piece,” she said. “This piece of battlefields get the opportunity to “I give Chris Calkins credit for the story completes it.” save something so important.” combing through that tremendous Discovery of amount of information and finding the battlefield,” she said. “Popular Appomattox Station wisdom was that it had been lost.” battlefield provides A Detroit native, Calkins said his fascination with the Civil War began historical missing link early. By Duffie Taylor, Lynchburg News, At 20, he took a seasonal job in the January 31, 2010 Appomattox Court House National Longtime Civil War historian Chris Historical Park, where he played a Calkins began looking for the lost Union soldier in the park’s living battlefield of Appomattox Station in history program. the early 1970s. The summer job turned into a lifelong Back then, he and many other Civil stay when he was introduced to his Civil War Preservation Trust photo An 1865 photo of Appomattox Station, where War buffs feared the site of the April future wife at the town’s Dairy Queen. 8, 1865, battle was buried Gen. George Custer captured three “They say you’re either a Virginian by Confederate supply trains. somewhere under asphalt in the birth, marriage or choice,” Calkins Town of Appomattox. said. “Well, I’m a Virginian by the Calkins said that Custer’s destruction “We have always assumed the battle latter two.” of three Confederate supply trains was up near the Triangle Shopping Calkins has since devoted his life to and the battle that ensued from it Center (in Appomattox) and they had the study of the Civil War, with a were directly accountable for Lee’s already bulldozed that area so we particular focus on the war’s last two surrender. couldn’t test it,” Calkins said. battles in Appomattox. “That was Lee’s last chance to get Still, he continued his search — first, Now the park manager of Sailor’s out of it,” he said. through a store of written archives Creek Battlefield State Park, Calkins Koik said that the trust eventually and then, on the grounds of has written several books on how the plans to turn over the battlefield to a Appomattox, with a copy of a Union two battles shaped the war’s end. steward that will maintain its soldier’s sketched map and a metal He said that discovering the preservation and spur visitors’ detector. battlefield of Appomattox Station interest in the site.
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The National Park Service is a likely Related Info Battlefield the largest military park in candidate, she said. The history the United States. Securing the historical site in time for The battle of Appomattox Station The legislation would give the the 150th anniversary of the Civil War began about 4 p.m. on April 8, 1865. National Park Service (NPS) authority is an important achievement for the Union cavalry, led by Gen. George to acquire 12 battlefields, totaling area, said the town’s tourism director, Custer, arrived at the Appomattox 7,200 acres, surrounding Petersburg Will Simmons. “(It) provides a train station ahead of Gen. Robert E. National Battlefield. This expansion of tremendous impetus for people to Lee’s army traveling from Farmville. the park was recommended in the preserve this land while they still Lee and his men were desperate for National Park Service’s Final General can,” Simmons said. the supplies that had been sent from Management Plan in 2005. Much of “Soon, the opportunity will be gone.” Lynchburg and awaited them at the this historic land is currently Chris Calkins inadvertently stumbled station. susceptible to industrial and upon the lost battlefield of Custer and his men captured three residential development. Appomattox Station while searching Confederate supply trains at the “Petersburg saw nearly one quarter of for what he believed was a Union station and proceeded southwest the Civil War fought in its surrounding army campsite. about a mile toward Gen. Lindsey area, and the preservation of these He was led there by a sentence in the Walker’s camp, where the battlefields is important for future Official Report of Brig. Gen. Alfred Confederate’s reserve artillery was generations to understand and Gibbs: “The brigade camped for a situated. When Walker received word appreciate the significance of our night (April 9) at a wood near Martin’s of the approaching cavalry, he and nation’s history,” said Senator Webb. house, one mile in the rear of his artillerymen assembled their “Additionally, investing in historic Appomattox Court House.” Calkins cannon in a hollow circle along a landmarks benefits the then referred to a 1867 topographical slight ridge and began to fire. Commonwealth’s tourism sector,” map of the “Appomattox Court House After a nearly four-hour battle and continued Senator Webb. “154,000 and Vicinity” and identified two numerous attacks by Union cavalry, visitors come to Petersburg National houses next to each other, each Custer captured between 24 to 30 Battlefield each year, generating named Martin. cannons and about 1,000 more than $9 million in local revenue. Armed with this information, Calkins Confederate prisoners. Total Union For this reason, the legislation is looked at a present-day map of the casualties from the battle were 5 important to our continuing efforts to area and, surprisingly, found that the killed, 40 wounded and 3 missing. spur tourism and new jobs in two houses were still there, tucked Confederate casualties remain Petersburg and the surrounding away behind a school and trucking unknown. communities.” company in the town of Appomattox. Virginia Senator Webb Since entering the Senate in 2007, Calkins then went to scout out the Senator Webb has been a strong property with a metal detector and, to Introduces Legislation to voice for historical and natural his surprise, began turning up iron Strengthen Preservation preservation. In 2009, he championed canister rounds and other artillery the “Civil War Battlefield Preservation remnants. It turned out that the camp of Petersburg National Act,” which renewed The America Calkins had originally sought was in Battlefield Battlefield Protection Program and another area entirely and CWi, January 28, 2010 continued the successful federal misidentified by Gibbs as “Martin’s” A longtime advocate for Civil War partnership that has saved nearly when, in fact, the house was named battlefield preservation, U.S. Senator 7,000 acres at 17 battlefields sites in “Morton’s.” The mishap, however, led Jim Webb (D-VA) introduced Virginia. Additionally, in October, Calkins to the lost battlefield of Tuesday the “Petersburg National Senator Webb introduced legislation Appomattox Station, which he later Boundary Modification Act,” to protect to establish a Commission to confirmed with the aid of a diary an additional 7,200 acres of historic commemorate the 150th anniversary sketch by Union cavalryman Roger battlefields. The expansion would of the Civil War. Hannaford. make the Petersburg National
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Pa. Historical Society of the exhibition through the National Archives Building in development of public programming, Washington, DC, and eventually will Digitizing Its Civil War online content, publications, and travel around the country. It will Collections outreach materials. present the most extensive display By Karin Phillips, KYW News Radio, "We are pleased to partner with the ever assembled from the January 25, 2010 Foundation for the National Archives incomparable Civil War holdings of The Historical Society of to share the often-overlooked stories the National Archives, including Pennsylvania is launching a massive of everyday men and women from letters, diaries, photos, maps, project to make its collections vastly different backgrounds whose petitions, receipts, patents, and available online. lives were dramatically altered by the Constitutional amendments. On Monday, an archivist was setting Civil War," said Laura Sanford, Combining the Archives' great Civil up a special digital camera acquired assistant vice president of AT&T War treasures, including a brief by the Historical Society of Corporate Contributions. "AT&T also showing of the fragile and rarely Pennsylvania which will digitize applauds the exhibition's goal to displayed Emancipation thousands of letters, photographs, teach critical thinking and research Proclamation, with engaging touch- artwork, and other documents from techniques to students, as these skills screen interactives incorporating the Civil War era. are critical to success, not only in social media tools, the exhibition It's the pilot project of the Digital school and in the workforce, but also invites visitors to take a fresh look at Center for Americana, a new branch in life." the war through the lens of 2010 of the society's archives department "This generous contribution from technology. that will make its collections available AT&T will enable the National The exhibition, which is free, will be on line. Archives to leverage the Civil War shown in two parts in Washington Project archivist Cathleen Miller says exhibit by bringing the exciting before traveling as one exhibition. some interesting things have already discoveries to millions of people Part I opens April 30, 2010 and runs crossed her desk: beyond the confines of the exhibition through September 19, 2010. Part II "A group of documents that basically itself," said Archivist of the United opens November 19, 2010 and runs detailed, blow by blow, the leadup to States David S. Ferriero. "Anyone through April 17, 2011. the Wounded Knee massacre in interested in the Civil War will have "In 1999, AT&T gave $1 million South Dakota. (It's) a huge find for us the opportunity to discover new towards the reopening of the Rotunda because we didn't realize it was in the insights and new perspectives based for the Charters of Freedom and the collection." on National Archives documents." creation of new museum spaces, and The Civil War material is getting "We are grateful to AT&T for its it is so gratifying to work with them digitized first because of the war's leadership as we embark on our again as we expand our programming sesquicentennial, coming up in 2011. largest and most ambitious traveling and our audiences," said Thora Colot, exhibition to date," said Ken Lore, executive director of the Foundation. AT&T Gives $100,000 to president of the Foundation for the "Thanks to generous corporate and Foundation for the National Archives. "We thank AT&T individual donors, we are able to fulfill National Archives for sharing our commitment to civics our mission to help more people Grant to Support Discovering the education and innovative learning discover the power of primary Civil War Exhibition techniques and our belief in the sources and the original documents WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 power of original records to bring held in trust for the American people /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AT&T history to life for visitors of all ages." by the National Archives." has contributed $100,000 to the Discovering the Civil War – created Foundation for the National Archives by a public-private partnership in support of the National Archives between the National Archives and Experience's upcoming exhibition Records Administration and the Discovering the Civil War. Foundation for the National Archives - AT&T's contribution will be used to - opens April 30, 2010 at the enhance the educational components Lawrence F. O'Brien Gallery of the
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A ‘Civil War “reproduction Civil War town” on the One letter in Currier’s collection of Culpeper side of the river this spring. correspondence drafted in this area Williamsburg’ on the Besides an 18-room bed and from that time stands out especially. Rapphannock? breakfast and a museum, the “I hope the time is not too distant By Allison Brophy Champion, secluded, riverfront development will when all who live may see this war Culpeper Star-Exponent (VA), include shops, a church, restaurant ended and peace flow again in one January 8, 2010 and live theater — the potential for up unbroken stream through all our Union forces clashed with to 20 buildings in all, according to valleys — from east to west and from Confederates in two separate fights Currier. north to south,” wrote John M. at Rappahannock Station — the He also plans to incorporate other Lovejoy of the 121st New York wartime name for modern-day periods of history relevant to the area Regiment, stationed near Brandy Remington — in August 1862 and including a Native American village, Station in 1864. November 1863. French and Indian War fort and Conservation easements A major crossing here was the Revolutionary War attractions. Currier wants his family’s land to Orange & Alexandria railroad bridge, Currier said he’s found hundreds of remain unbroken by rampant which the Yankees burned in October arrowheads and two dozen stone development, which has crept closer 1863, the Library of Congress axes on the property. He wants to to Culpeper’s battlefield sites in records. offer wildlife exhibits and the arts at recent years. Both sides wanted control of the vital Culpeper Crossing as well. And so about a year ago, he placed waterway at the site and many died The Virginia Department of Historic 189 acres of Rappahannock Station fighting for it. Resources sees the possibilities. battlefield — adjoining Culpeper Now, a local developer wants to “Your concept for Culpeper Crossing Crossing — into permanent return the place to its roots with the offers an exciting opportunity to conservation easement, meaning it’s establishment of Culpeper Crossing, present the rich history of this area in going to stay as is forever. a Civil War-themed tourist destination an engaging format and setting,” He admitted that his foremost reason on 14 acres of wooded, riverfront land wrote DHR director Kathleen for pursuing the conservation adjoining the battlefield. Kilpatrick in a letter to Currier last easements through the DHR was for Bob Currier, in addition, has already year. “We look forward to working the money — easement holders can placed a much larger parcel of actual with you to develop a sensitive and sell the tax credits they receive for battlefield into permanent important new asset for Virginians cash. Currier did just that, getting conservation easement. and the nation.” about $3 million for the tax credits. “We need a Civil War Williamsburg,” She encouraged “the use of local According to the terms of the said the Remington resident, whose building tradition … to link Culpeper easement designation, the land can family has owned 100-plus acres at Crossing with the cultural heritage of never be subdivided and it carries Rappahannock Station for more than its location.” It’s something Currier strict limits, for perpetuity, on very a century. “It will be the only thing like remains committed to doing as he limited development. it — on a battlefield where trenches moves forward, having ordered Currier credited family friend Sandra are still intact.” bronze statues of Gens. George Stevens, an easement consultant Located about five miles north of the Meade (Union officer from from McLean, for helping him more famous village at Brandy Pennsylvania) and Robert E. Lee of navigate the complicated process. Station — the site of North America’s Virginia, who met in Remington. “What she is doing has dramatically largest cavalry engagement in June Civil War soldiers who fought in affected the county,” he said of other 1863 — Remington sits about half a Culpeper — believed to be the most easement projects Stevens worked mile from the Rappahannock River in marched upon county during the war on last year, including battlefield land Fauquier County, though a portion of — surely would never have guessed in Brandy Station. it sits within the border of Culpeper the history-themed recreation that “I wouldn’t have gotten through it County. awaits the river land at without her.” Currier, who has a background as a Rappahannock Station. builder, plans to get started on his
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Property value generations have to abide by these Stevens, who has a background in land restrictions.” lobbying, began her easement Culpeper County Planning Director consulting business with Currier back John Egertson, speaking for himself in December of 2008. and not the county, said conservation “I did his and decided this was easements are a positive thing for the something I love doing,” she told the county because they maintain its Star-Exponent in a recent interview. overall rural character. “It gives me an appreciation for the On the other hand, he noted, value of people’s property and how conservation easements could be they feel about it.” detrimental if they prevented Successfully obtaining easement development in areas intended for status is a complicated process, growth, like the county’s technology Stevens said, that spans about nine zone next to the Daniel Technology months. In Virginia alone, she said, Center. there are 34 different land trusts, “As for the various easements which including DHR, the Civil War have put into place to date, I am Preservation Trust and Piedmont supportive of them all.” Environmental Council, that hold Union soldier W.H.B. Dudley, properties in easement. camping near “Rapperhannac It’s an altruistic motive to put your Station” in September of 1863 did not land into easement, Stevens said, but feel so supportive of the other side. these days many folks are doing it for “We had a nice cav fight,” he wrote to the money too – to save the family his nephew George Payson. “We farm. drove the rebels about 15 miles; they She said she has thousands more did run, tore up things good. I could acres in Culpeper County “in the see lots of dead rebels.” pipeline” for easement designation. The benefit to the county of historic easements is open space preservation, Stevens said. “The state of open land in the county right on U.S. 29 has definitely changed,” she said. “We won’t be having overpasses and congested traffic areas like it would have been if had been developed as originally planned,” Stevens said, referring to the previously planned large development at Willow Run, property that she helped put into easement in 2009. Wendy Musumeci, the DHR’s easement program coordinator, said her department holds 1,175 acres in historic conservation easement in Culpeper County. Of those, 641 acres were added last year, she said, noting, “Future
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