KBA News - September 2000

Greetings to all KBA members and supporters! On September 28, 2000, an important milestone will be reached by the KBA as we at last go to settlement for the purchase of the remaining 315 acres of the Kernstown Battlefields. On that wonderful day, we will take a giant step toward the permanent protection of one of the Shenandoah Valley's most beautiful and historic sites.

This progress will be accomplished by the partnership built from the Frederick County and Winchester governments, the National Park Service, the State of Virginia Land Conservation Trust, and significant donors and grassroots membership of the KBA. Together, over the last four years, we have amassed over $3 million towards the $4 million purchase price of the Farm.We are also indebted to the confidence and faith of several local community banks that will provide us with $1 million in short-term financing to complete the deal. Soon after settlement, a permanent conservation easement will be granted to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation to protect over 100 acres of the core battlefield area, including Pritchard's Hill.

However, the last and possibly hardest part of our acquisition phase remains before us. Our job will not be complete until we raise the funds necessary to pay off our million-dollar note, plus interest, in the next few years. Once that is done, we will be able to permanently protect the remaining 200 acres of rolling fields, wetlands and important viewsheds.

Only after the KBA owns the entire Farm free and clear of all debt will we be able to commit any substantial resources to battlefield interpretation, building restorations, and open public access. Your continued financial support will be crucial to successfully complete our purchase.

We can, though, still explore and enjoy the Farm, through a series of regular events on the property, beginning October 14th, when we plan on a fun-filled Yard Party and Farm Tour. This will be first event ever held by the KBA to be based on the battlefield, and we look forward to seeing you there.

Finally,, congratulations and thanks to all those that have believed in, and supported the KBA for these four tumultuous years. Let us carry that same spirit of unity and faith in our cause into a long and bright future for this hallowed ground.

On May 17, 2000 the preservation Alliance of Virginia announced the first ever list of Virginia's Most Endangered Historic Places. An advisory panel of historians, archaeologists, architects, historic homeowners, and dedicated preservationists reviewed 46 nominations from across the state. The Charles Hardy Grim Farm was selected for the final top ten. By recognizing the Commonwealth's irreplaceable cultural, architectural, histoic, archaeological, and natural sites, the Preservation Alliance hopes to raise awareness of the need to protect Virginia's precious heritage. The Preservation Alliance of Virginia is the state's private, not for profit, grassroots coalition for historic preservation. The naming of the Grim Farm highlights its importance as a state and national landmark.

On Saturday, July 22nd, the Kernstown Battlefield Association recognized the 136th anniversary of the Second Battle of Kernstown with an open house at the battlefield. With the cooperation of the Tredegar Trust, the Opequon presbyterian Church, and the First Assembly of God, the Kernstown Battlefield was opened to the general public for the first time. Historical tours were conducted by board members, Gary Ecelbarger and Scott Patchen. A nature walk was conducted by Jim Smith, President of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the National Audubon Society.

Despite an afternoon downpour, approximately 200 people enthusiastically toured the battlefield. Many of these visitors donated monies for the purchase of the battlefield and the event was deemed a success by all.

Mark your calendar now for Saturday, October 14, when the KBA will offer an afternoon of fun, food and family entertainment with its first Yard Party and Farm Tour to be held from 3 to 7 pm on the Kernstown Battlefield Farm. Planned activities include Civil War historical tours, nature walks, bluegrass music, hayrides, and a hearty barbeque dinner.

This will be another great opportunity to visit the Farm and enjoy its beautiful outdoor setting, and the first event ever to be held by the KBA directly on its recently purchased property.

Tell your friends, tell your family, bring the kids and grandkids and join us on Saturday, October 14th.

One of the earliest, and largest commitments of financial support for the KBA's purchase of the Kernstown BAttlefield property was fulfilled recently by the welcome donation of $5,000 from the Simpson History Center and the Austin Texas Civil War Roundtable. These two fine groups cosponsor an annual Texas Civil War Preservation Seminar and in 1996 dedicated the proceeds of that symposium to "buy dirt" on the hallowed ground of the Kernstown Battlefield site.

That year's featured speaker, James R. "Bud" Robertson, noted Civil War author and historian, was instrumental in drawing attention to the Kernstown preservation opportunity, and even went so far as to donate his honorarium to the effort.

Buddy Patterson, Director of the Hillsboro, Texas-based Simpson History Center and Dan Laney, President of the Austin CWRT, both expressed their congratulations to KBA for its accomplishment of securing a purchase contract to acquire, preserve and interpret our important historic site.

Our deep, sincere appreciation goes out to these dedicated individuals and groups that have provided this generous contribution during this critical early phase of our daunting fund rasing effort. We wish them continued success in their future endeavors as well.

The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Hisoric District Commission has completed its plan, including the environmental impact statement. The plan has been completed on schedule and should be endorsed by the Secretary of the Interior this fall. Funding for the commission's successor organization has been secured for 2001, however, no monies were appropriated for land acquisition. The Kernstown Battlefield still continues to be a top priority of the commission. The plan's recommendation calls for a cluster concept where battlefields in the same region can share resources and services to enhance the visitor's experience. Interpretive themes are identified and plans for the network are defined. The current commission will sunset in late fall after the plan is presented. The KBA has sent a letter of endorsement supporting the plan and its effort.

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K.B.A. Membership

We hope you have found this issue of the KBA News informative, and that you are encouraged by the current activities of the KBA. Last year, while the negotiation process was still underway, the KBA kept busy with fundraisers such as the first Rally for the Valley, and produced a public service announcement which is currently airing in area of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. Children's programs and battlefield tours also took place in 1997.

We have developed and maintained contacts with various preservation associations, both area and national, so that we have the best possible opportunity of receiving financial assistance once we have a contract to secure the property.

Heritage tourism is being promoted by participation in a regional effort, "Visit the Valley" and the Civil War Trails Program.

The fact that these efforts are being made entirely by volunteers - the KBA has no paid staff - speaks loudly about how important our state and national heritage is to all our members. Your active membership enables us to speak confidently to potential donors and demonstrates that the KBA has substantial grassroots support. Now as we prepare to deal with the counter offer to purchase the battlefield, we need your continuing financial support as never before.

As you complete the enclosed Membership Form, we ask you to join/renew your Charter Membership at your highest affordable dues level as we add your tax-deductible contribution to our ever-growing fund to purchase the battlefield. Please be as generous as possible and know that 100% of your contribution will purchase hallowed ground.