Trevilian Group Buys 939 Acres, Seeks Donations
Feb./March 2005

TREVILIANS, Va. - On Dec. 6 Trevilian Station Battlefield Foundation Inc. (TSBF) closed on their largest purchase to date - 939 acres at Trevilian Station.

The land, which was owned by Riveroak Timberlands LLC. of Memphis, had been the focus of an intense effort to purchase for the past three years, according to Gerald Harlow of TSBF. "We formed TSBF just a few months after this property was sold in 1996, and it has been our goal ever since to purchase it," said Harlow. The purchase price was $1,760,625.

Working with Noah Mehrkam at the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT), a deal was finalized and CWPT placed the property under contract in October of 2004. The contract was then transferred to TSBF. The foundation then sought loans of $500,000 from the Conservation Fund and an additional loan of $1,176,625 from the Bank of Louisa, a newly formed local bank. With an additional payment totaling $120,000 from the Civil War Preservation Trust, TSBF was able to purchase the property.

With the 632 acres that TSBF owned outright, the new tract makes a total holding of 1,571 acres. "This by anyone's standards is an amazing accomplishment for an organization that was formed in October 1996," said Harlow.

The land encompasses much of the June 11, 1864, fighting as the Union forces under Gen. Philip Sheridan drove Gen. Wade Hampton's forces back to the small depot at Trevilian Station. Additional land is located on the Union left flank of the June 12, 1864, position.

According to Harlow the land was mostly wooded at the time of the battle, except for an area around the depot that was cleared. In the years since, timber companies harvested native trees and replanted much of the land in pine.

TSBF is awaiting a grant of $500,000 from the American Battlefield Protection Program, which is administered by the National Park Service. A 2002 Tea-21 grant will provide an additional $160,000 with the remaining $40,000 of the grant being paid by the CWPT, TSBF and Louisa County, which has been a major backer of the project.

The remainder of the funding for the purchase must be raised by TSBF through grants and donations. TSBF has announced its largest capital campaign to date.

"With the grants we are able to get, we can leverage a donor's money dollar for dollar. We essentially have 939 acres which can be purchased for $1,000 per acre, a very reasonable fee for battlefield land in America today," said Harlow.

"TSBF is looking for 939 donors who want to buy an acre of this sacred ground for $1,000. Those that do may do so in their name or they may honor someone else with their purchase. Special recognition will be placed on the battlefield for all who buy at least an acre of land," according to Harlow.

He added that donations of any amount are desperately needed.

TSBF President Kathy Sheridan-Stiles, who is a great-great-great- niece of General Sheridan, said the continued success of the TSBF in preserving the battlefield "is remarkable, but it is not easy."

"We are in a race against time and progress. Everywhere too much of our country's history is already buried under asphalt and strip malls," she said. "We appreciate the vision and commitment of our members and policy makers and count on their continued support to protect this land."

TSBF members hope to pay off these loans as soon as possible so they can turn their attention to some critical areas of the battlefield that remain unprotected. For more information contact Harlow at (434) 589-8989 or Sheridan-Stiles at (540) 967-1832.