Saving History Saturday: Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation Preservation News

The Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation (SVBF) recently announced their latest preservation project in New Market. A two-acre parcel along the Valley Pike (US Rt. 11), just north of town, would provide access to an additional 54-acres that are already preserved.

The battle of New Market took place on May 15, 1864. Most people are familiar with the fighting on the Bushong Farm, where the VMI Cadets were put into the fight at a critical moment and helped turn the tide for the Confederate forces. These two acres are on the eastern part of the battlefield, where both the location of the 22nd Virginia as well as guns manned by the VMI Cadets were positioned.

The parcel, which currently has an old motel on it, is being purchased for $760,000, and site restoration is estimated to cost another $125,000, brining the cost of preservation and restoration to $885,000. Thanks to anticipated grant funding, SVBF is looking to raise $200,000 for this effort to cover what the grants won’t.

Once the motel is removed and the landscape restored, this parcel, along with the adjoining 54 acres, would have historic fence lines restored, trails built, and interpretive signage installed, helping tell the fuller story of the Battle of New Market.

To learn more about this project, and everything that SVBF is up to these days, visit their website.