Civil War Trails: A New Look at Old Stories

by Drew Gruber

Posted on August 21, 2021

NOVA Parks launched two new Civil War Trails signs in Loudoun County, Virginia last week. This new look at old stories will help drive visitation to the region. Tracy Gillespie, Site Manager for NOVA Parks said, “NOVA Parks is excited to have two new Civil War Trails interpretive signs, at Aldie Mill Historic Park and Gilbert’s Corner Regional Park.”

Chris Brown, Assistant Director for Civil War Trails, Inc. lifts the new directional sign in place. These directional signs work with the maps-guides and interactive map to help guests find the sites themselves. Courtesy of NOVA Parks

The new sign at Aldie Mill Historic Park helps orient visitors to the intense fighting which took place along Rt. 50 between Aldie and Upperville as part of the famous Gettysburg campaign in 1863. A half dozen Civil War Trails sites are stretched across 15 miles and help visitors stand in the footsteps of those historic events. “This mini-Civil War trail is immensely popular with travelers as they traverse not only the history but enjoy some of Virginia’s most beautiful downtowns, shops and landscapes,” said Drew Gruber, Executive Director of Civil War Trails, Inc. “Mt Defiance Cidery, Hunter’s Head Tavern, and the Little River Inn make this an ultimate destination for couples looking for a weekend retreat.”

Slashing Sabers, the new sign at Aldie Mill helps orient guests to the fighting which took place here prior to the famous Battle of Gettysburg. Courtesy of Civil War Trails, Inc.

The new sign at Gilbert’s Corner Regional Park helps tell a story you might not expect while traveling through Virginia. “Our Gilbert’s Corner sign broadens the narrative of Loudoun during the Civil War, focusing on a rare Unionist in Confederate southern territory.” said Gillespie. Located at the trailhead for the park which offers over 150 acres to explore on foot, the hiking trail offers incredible vistas of the Bull Run Mountains according to the NOVA Parks website.

The “inset” map on the new sign at Gilbert’s Corner helps connect guests with the other resources in the region. Courtesy of Civil War Trails, Inc.

The Civil War Trails network offers a fun, safe, and accessible “open air museum” which visitors often drive, hike, or cycle. Loudoun County is home to over two dozen Civil War Trails sites which are networked together with over 1,350 other locations across six states. Each Civil War Trails site, like these two, are marketed internationally by state tourism offices, regional destination marketing organizations, and the sites themselves. This means the educational product is part of a much larger economic development mission – helping driving visitation to the towns and businesses along the way.

For more information about Aldie Mill Historic Park or Gilbert’s Corner Regional Park visit: https://www.novaparks.com/

For more information about Civil War Trails or to request a brochure visit: www.civilwartrails.org or use: @civilwartrails

 

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