Valley Foundation Buys McDowell Battlefield
Tract
By Deborah Fitts
January 2004
NEW MARKET, Va. - The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields
Foundation closed Dec. 15 on the purchase of a 52-acre tract
at the McDowell battlefield, securing a plateau where Union
artillerists posted their guns during the May 1862 clash.
"This is a very significant piece of land," said Howard
Kittell, executive director of the nonprofit organization. He
noted that while much of the 275 acres already preserved at
McDowell represents Confederate positions, this is the first
significant Union ground to be protected.
The low plateau, at the western edge of the village, provided
Federal gunners with an angle of fire at Confederates under
Stonewall Jackson who were ranged atop Sitlington's Hill, nearly
a mile distant. The tract, "the backdrop of the village,"
helps to preserve the rural, 19th-century setting, Kittell noted.
He said the property will also provide "a vantage point
where you can see the entire battlefield" - a boon to those
not prepared to hike the steep slope of Sitlington's Hill.
The foundation paid owner Walter Ralston $276,000 for the pastureland.
Of that total, $122,500 was provided as a grant from the Center
for Civil War Living History, which received funds from the
filming of "Gods and Generals" that were designated
for preservation. The rest of the funds came from the foundation's
annual federal appropriation.
Kittell said signage and a walking trail will be installed on
the new property, possibly next year but more likely in 2005.
Last year the foundation bought 13 acres at McDowell. The remaining
preserved acreage belongs to the Civil War Preservation Trust,
the Lee-Jackson Foundation and the Highland Historical Society.
The bulk of the battlefield still remains unprotected, with
the core area comprising more than 2,200 acres. Kittell said
his foundation is eyeing a 300-acre tract that "we'd love
to be able to purchase. It all depends on timing."
Meanwhile, the foundation has been helping the Highland Historical
Society, which together with the McDowell Chamber of Commerce
spent $135,000 to purchase historic Mansion House, a headquarters
house and hospital at the time of the battle. With the support
of Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), the foundation helped
secure the historical society $200,000 in federal funds for
restoration from the Save America's Treasures program.
Ultimately the house, which stands on the old Staunton-to-Parkersburg
road, will serve as the county's first visitor center and museum,
as well as a Civil War visitor orientation center in coordination
with the nine other Valley battlefields overseen by the foundation.
A
walking trail will extend to the village and the battlefield.
The foundation now owns half a dozen parcels and is in negotiations
for another 1,800 acres. "It's all a very slow process,"
Kittell said.
At presstime, the foundation appeared on track to receive $1.5
million in annual funding, as part of the Department of the
Interior budget. The voluminous document was awaiting the president's
signature at presstime.
Kittell said the foundation had sought $2.5 million, but was
"very pleased" to get the $1.5 million, given the
fact that "Federal funds going to land conservation this
year were substantially reduced across the board." The
appropriation includes $500,000 for administration, interpretation
and marketing, and $1 million for land acquisition. Last year
the foundation received $2 million for land.
The reduction "will slow us down," Kittell acknowledged,
"but we'll look elsewhere" for money, including federal
and state transportation-enhancement and conservation funds,
plus private sources.
The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation was created in
2000 under authorization of the Secretary of the Interior to
implement the management plan for the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields
National Historic District.
