Photo credit: Terry Rensel
Preservation Updates and News
From the President's Desk
The first month of the new year is already behind us. I get the feeling it will be another fast eleven months. CVBT’s inaugural Spring Seminar, “War in the Balance,” slated for this March has completely sold out, and quickly! For those of you lucky enough to obtain tickets I look forward to seeing you for a great day of presentations, camaraderie, Civil War artifacts display, and lunch. For those who have missed it, keep an eye out for our next seminar.
Also, registration is now open for our 2024 CVBT Annual Conference this September 13th–15th. Don’t miss this year's event, as we have special tours, presenters, and a brand-new venue for the Saturday evening banquet and programs. Visit CVBT-2024-Annual Conference for details and to register.
Of course, our battlefield preservation work continues as well. It seems Virginia is looking to become the Data Center capital of the country, and unfortunately, many of these projects are slated to be built in historically sensitive areas. Not only is the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust engaged in legal proceedings regarding the proposed colossal Orange County “Wilderness Crossing” development, which includes these data centers, now our partners at ABT are also proceeding with legal action in Prince William County. At issue is what would become “at full build-out, the world’s largest data center campus, blanketing a landscape central to the Second Battle of Manassas in August 1862 with as many as thirty-seven data centers — eight-story, drab concrete-and-steel behemoths that would loom over the battlefield park.”
CVBT is also currently working on acquiring properties on the Chancellorsville and Mine Run battlefields. We are also close to concluding our payments on the Beckham Tract, part of Stonewall Jackson’s flank attack, just $30,000 more to go! Please see our website and help us finish the preservation of this historic land.
We do have victories to report as well. Thanks to your generous support CVBT has met its pledge to ABT for over $36,000 toward the Dowdall’s Tavern purchase on the Chancellorsville battlefield. We have also raised $20,000 toward the legal funds needed to continue the fight against the “Wilderness Crossing” project in Orange County. Thank you for all of your support!
CVBT is also continuing our planning process to create public access to several more of our previously saved battlefield properties by providing interpretive trails and signage. Look for further information as we develop this initiative.
Our Chief Office Administrator, Tim Talbott, continues to research and write the very popular “CVBT History Wire” email series. Tim spends quite a bit of time developing these stories for all to enjoy and learn from. Please consider sharing these with friends and family and convey that CVBT needs members. If you have not renewed your membership please do, you are the backbone of the organization.
This year is poised to record many more victories.
My motto for this year is, “CVBT- More in '24”.
Tom Van Winkle
Preservation Updates
2024 Spring Seminar SOLD OUT
CVBT 2024 Spring Seminar
SOLD OUT!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ON OUR WAITING LIST EMAIL EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR@CVBT.ORG
Annual Conference Tickets Now Available!
The 2024 CVBT Annual Conference will take place September 13-15, 2024.
The Army Historical Foundation, with CVBT, Presents the 2024 Spring Battle Ride
Embark on a historical journey with The Army Historical Foundation’s Spring Battle Ride, Spotsylvania Court House, “The Horrors of Many Battlefields” on May 4, 2024. The tour will explore the battle for the Muleshoe Salient for Spotsylvania Court House in Virginia, a notoriously violent clash that marked a turning point in the Civil War. Participants will spend the day learning about critical campaign decisions, witnessing live fire demonstrations of Civil War-era weaponry, and examining preserved field fortifications. Surveying the 500-acre contested ground where hard-fought history was made will give participants an understanding of the battle’s impact on Soldiers and civilians who witnessed this historic event.
This Battle Ride is hosted in partnership with the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust (CVBT) and will feature renowned Civil War historian Robert Lee Hodge, who was prominently featured in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Confederates in the Attic.
CVBT to Receive the 2023 Edwin C. Bearss Preservation Award
The Civil War Roundtable of the District of Columbia has awarded the 2023 Edwin C Bearss Preservation Award to CVBT
The award come with a $2,500 gift, which we will use to help with our interpretive efforts at several of our current properties.
You can learn more about the CWRTDC at their website.
Historic Quote
This day's fight has been a terrible one. Our losses are variously estimated at 10,000 to 15,000 at headquarters, and we hold no more ground than we did last night. Among our lost is General Wadsworth reported killed within the rebel lines; Getty, Webb [incorrect], and Baxter are said to be wounded; and a General Hays in the Second Corps killed. There is some hope Wadsworth is not dead, but the reports are very positive; he and his men are said to have fought superbly."
Excerpt from the May 6, 1864, diary entry of Col. Charles Wainwright, Chief of Artillery, V Corps, Army of the Potomac.
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