CEBE 150Th Anniversary 1864 Valley Campaign
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National Park Service 8693 Valley Pike U.S. Department of the Interior P.O. Box 700 Middletown, VA 22645 (540) 868-3051 phone (540) 869-4527 fax Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park National Park Service News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MAY 22, 2014 CONTACTS NAME: ERIC CAMPBELL (540) 868-0937 Special National Park Service Programs to Commemorate 150th Anniversary of the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign MIDDLETOWN, VA ----- Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, in partnership with the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, announces a series of special National Park Service “On This Day” anniversary programs to commemorate many of the battles of the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaigns. Occurring during the summer and fall of 1864, these engagements involved some of the largest and bloodiest battles ever waged in the Valley, and helped seal the Confederacy’s fate, on both a local and national level. “These programs will give visitors a chance to learn about the battles of these pivotal campaigns, not only on the battlefields themselves, but also on the actual anniversary of each,” said Eric Campbell, the park’s lead ranger. “While the power of place is significant, it can be magnified by the power of time. To be able to commemorate each battle on its 150th anniversary is a one-in-a-life time opportunity.” These presentations, which commemorate the campaign, are offered in conjunction with the other events and activities organized by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, and its various partners. All of the National Park Service programs are free. The “On This Day” Anniversary tours last 90 minutes to two hours. June 5 “On This Day” Battle of Piedmont Anniversary Tour (4:00 pm) Grand Caverns, 5 Grand Caverns Dr., Grottoes, VA 24441. Free, but registration necessary due to space limitations. For information: [email protected], 540-740-4545. July 18 “On This Day” Cool Spring Anniversary Tour (4:00 pm) Meet at the gift shop at Our Lady of the Holy Cross Abbey , 901 Cool Spring Lane, Berryville, Virginia 22611. July 20 “On This Day” Battle of Rutherford’s Anniversary Tour (4:00 pm) Civil War Trails markers plaza, Rutherford Crossing Shopping Center, east of I-81 (Exit 317), Martinsburg Pike (VA Route 11), Winchester, VA 22602 July 24 “On This Day” Battle of Second Kernstown Anniversary Tour (4:00 pm) Kernstown Battlefield Association, 610 Battle Park Drive, Winchester, VA 22601 August 16 “On This Day” Battle of Guard Hill Anniversary Tour (4:00 pm) Warren Heritage Society, 101 Chester Street, Front Royal, VA 22630. For information, 540-636-0702, www.warrenheritagesociety.org EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA ™ The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. September 3 “On This Day” Battle of Berryville Anniversary Tour (4:00 pm) Clarke County Recreation Area, West Main Street, Berryville, VA 22611 September 19 Battle of Third Winchester 150th Anniversary Ranger Station Programs (12:00 – 4:00 pm) A series of programs, presented by National Park Service Rangers, which will cover the battle chronologically. Meet at the east end of Berryville Canyon, on the north side of Berryville Pike (VA Route 7), opposite the Frederick-Winchester Service Authority plant. September 22 “On This Day” Battle of Fisher’s Hill Anniversary Tour (4:00 pm) Strasburg Heritage Society, Ramseur’s Hill, Battlefield Road, Fisher’s Hill, VA 22657 October 9 “On This Day” Battle of Tom’s Brook Anniversary Tour (4:00 pm) Shenandoah County Park, 380 Park Lane, Maurertown, VA 22664 October 17 Special National Park Service Ranger Signal Knob Hike and Program (10:00 am – 4:00 pm) Co-sponsored by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and Shenandoah County Parks and Recreation Department. For more information: (540) 869-3051 or http://shenandoahcountyva.us/parks/ October 17-19 Battle of Cedar Creek 150th Anniversary Events and Programs A series of special park ranger presentations, including Ranger Station programs, real-time programs and tours. Various locations throughout the battlefield, Middletown, VA 22645 October 20 Rededication of the Stephen Dodson Ramseur Monument (Time: TBA) Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA 22645 For details and updates, call (540) 869-3051 or see: www.nps.gov/cebe. For information on other related events contact the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation at (540) 740-4545 or see: www.ShenandoahatWar.org Additionally, a special overview program of the 1864 Valley Campaign will be offered throughout the anniversary: * “1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign in a Box” – This special program provides an overview of the various1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaigns and battles. This interactive presentation uses the surrounding landscape features and various props (taken from a box) to “create” the Valley and place visitors “in the middle of the campaign.” Great for kids and adults alike! Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park offers a wide variety of ranger-conducted programs, which tell the park’s many stories related to the rich cultural history of the Shenandoah Valley and the American Civil War. These programs are offered regularly. Check the park website (www.nps.gov/cebe) or call (540) 869-3051 for more information. ********************************* About Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park: Cedar Creek and Belle Grove commemorates a nationally significant Civil War landscape and antebellum plantation by sharing the story of Shenandoah Valley history from early settlement through the Civil War and beyond. The park is embedded within the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, a National Heritage Area. Created on December 19, 2002, the park encompasses approximately 3,700 acres across three counties and includes the key partner sites of Belle Grove Plantation (owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and managed by Belle Grove, Inc.), Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation lands and Headquarters, Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation lands, and a developing Shenandoah County Park. The partner sites continue to be owned and operated independently. EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA ™ The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. .