Battlefield Preservation Updates

 One of the most frequently asked questions by members of the Foundation is for updates on specific projects. Thanks to your support, numerous projects are in progress and worked on daily by a team of people including Foundation staff, attorneys, partners, landowners, and state and federal employees. Below is an update on a variety of projects you have helped support and bring to their status in the preservation process.

Brill Tract – 74 Acres at Cedar Creek

A $1.4 million project, the Foundation closed on the property in May. With funding secured from the Virginia Battlefield Preservation Fund (VBPF) the Virginia Land Conservation Fund (VLCF) and contributions from donors, the Foundation was able to secure $850,000 in funding. Mr. Brill and Ms. Kanter allowed the Foundation to close with those funds and donated $400,000 in value while owner financing the remaining $150,000. A preservation easement was also recorded on the property at the time of closing, held by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR). The Foundation will continue to raise funds to pay off the remaining debt on the property.

West Woods – 35 Acres at Third Winchester

When the project began in 2015, it was the most expensive in the Foundation’s history with a value of $5.7 million. The SVBF closed on the property in 2016 with owner financing. Thanks to contributions from donors, a significant donation of value by the owner, Mr. Bruce Griffin, and grants from VLCF and the American Battlefield Protection Program, the current debt on the property stands at only $150,000. A preservation easement held by DHR has been recorded on the property. Fundraising continues to pay off the remaining debt.

The Coaling – 107 Acres at Port Republic

One of the most popular projects taken on by the SVBF, the preservation of The Coaling has been a major project in the Foundation’s office for nearly 5 years. Thanks to donors, funding was secured to make a down payment on the $1.55 million property to put it under contract. Since then, staff has been working to secure grant funding to complete the project. To date, the Foundation has been awarded nearly $1.25 million. With those funds, the Foundation will close on the property in the summer while continuing to apply for grants and fundraise to pay the remaining debt.

McCann Tract – 156 Acres at Second Winchester

Surpassing the West Woods and becoming the most expensive project ever tackled by the SVBF, the McCann Tract appraised for $7.68 million. With a major contribution of value by the McCann Family of $3.68 million, the project was made possible. The Foundation closed on the property in May 2021 with a large down payment with the assistance of donors, and notably large contributions from the Graves Family, Mark and Karen Perreault, Childs Burden, and the American Battlefield Trust. Since closing, staff has worked to obtain grant funding from the American Battlefield Protection Program. With the matching funds from the McCann Family donation and other donor contributions, the hope is to complete the project and have all debt paid off by 2023.

Morris Tract – 124 Acres at Toms Brook

Started in 2014, the Morris Tract has been a complex project that is finally nearing the finish line. Thanks to donor contributions and grants from ABPP and VBPF, the $540,000 project is fully funded. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources will hold the easement on the property and is in the final stages of completing the easement for recording. Once recorded, the project will be completed, and the 124 acres will be forever preserved.

Buhl Tract – 52 Acres at New Market

The fate of the Buhl Tract, also called Battery Heights, rests entirely on the Foundation, its members, and donors. Located in an area that the Town of New Market sees as a residential growth area, the town will not support the preservation of the site which makes it ineligible for grant funding. With no help possible from state or federal grants, the $500,000 property must be paid for entirely with private funds. Fortunately, fundraising for the project has gone well and to date the Foundation has raised nearly half of the total funds needed, including a major contribution from Mark and Karen Perreault. Fundraising for the project continues, and an exciting new painting by Keith Rocco depicting the battle on Battery Heights and the major role Confederate artillery played in the battle will be part of that effort.

Abel Tract – 22 Acres at New Market

Originally part of the famous Bushong Farm, the Abel Tract links directly to the Virginia Military Institute owned properties at the New Market Battlefield. A conservation easement was placed on the property in 2006 by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. With the goal of purchasing the property to tie it to the neighboring land already preserved and open as park land, while also strengthening the easement, the Foundation closed on the $350,000 property in 2021 with owner financing. In that time, staff has worked to obtain grant funding from the ABPP to secure half of the funds for the property while working to secure private funds for the remaining half.

Shiflett Tract – 146 Acres at Piedmont

Following the success of the Foundation’s first preservation project at the Piedmont Battlefield, the 3-acre Cline Tract, the Shiflett Tract would preserve most of the crucial land involved in the battle. With funds raised from donors, the Foundation was able to secure $200,000 in grant funding from the Virginia Battlefield Preservation Fund toward the purchase. Staff is currently applying for grants to raise the additional $600,000 to complete the project.

Foster-Erbach Tracts - Fisher’s Hill

Foster Tract (Property 1) – 108 Acres at Fisher’s Hill

Negotiations with the landowner continue over the terms of the final preservation easement.  This project began several years ago and is critical to the preservation of the Fishers Hill Battlefield.  It is the goal of the Foundation to have negotiations completed and the property preserved in the coming months.

Erbach Tract (Property 2) – 122 Acres at Fisher’s Hill

Negotiations with the landowner continue over the terms of the final preservation easement.  This project began several years ago and is critical to the preservation of the Fishers Hill Battlefield.  It is the goal of the Foundation to have negotiations completed and the property preserved in the coming months.