Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park - News Releases (U.S. National Park Service)

N National Park ServiceNews Release

For Immediate Release – July 23, 2009

Cn Contacts Name- Russ Smith

National Military Park Kicks Off Major Planning Effort

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park will host a series of open houses in July and September to gather input from the public regarding the future management of the park. These informal workshops will give the public a chance to discuss their ideas and concerns about the park with park staff and the planning team.

The open houses are just a first step in developing a twenty-year vision for the park through what is called a General Management Plan (GMP.) The GMP, which is required for all national parks, sets the basic guidance for management decisions that affect the park's resources and the visitor's experience. The plan will take a few years to complete and will involve input from the general public, visitors, stakeholders and other agencies.

Examples of issues that will be discussed include: new visitor facilities, expansion of park boundaries, recreational use, landscape restoration, partnerships for preservation and development, educational services, protection of visitors and resources, etc.

The open houses will take place at the following times and places.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 – 5:00PM to 8:00PM

Riverbend High School

12301 Spotswood Furnace Road, Spotsylvania County, Virginia

Thursday, July 30, 2009– 5:30PM to 8:00PM

Headquarters Branch - Central Rappahannock Regional Library

1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 – 5:00PM to 8:00PM

Lake of the Woods Clubhouse

102 Lakeview Parkway, Lake of the Woods, Virginia

In addition to the open houses, information sessions for park visitors will be held at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center and the Chancellorsville Visitor Center on both July 30 and September 9, 2009 from 10AM to 2PM,

Established by Congress in 1927, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park preserves and interprets the Civil War battlefields of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania Court House. The park today encompasses over 7,000 acres spread over 145 square miles in four counties and the City of Fredericksburg. Exhibits, films, trails, and nearly 1,500 live programs each year offer every visitor a chance to understand and appreciate these

battles, their impact on local residents, and their importance in the Civil War. The park is a key tourism resource bringing almost $50 million a year into the local community.

The public can join the park mailing list, submit comments and stay informed as the plan progresses by visiting the park website at www.nps.gov/frsp. Ideas for the plan can be sent directly to frsp_gmp@nps.gov.

--END--

National Park Service Announces Eighth Year of History at Sunset Programs

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park is pleased to announce the eighth year of its popular “History at Sunset: A Community and Nation at War.” This series of ten Friday-evening programs has become a summertime tradition in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. Starting on June 12 and continuing every Friday evening until August 14, the History at Sunset series will offer what Superintendent Russell P. Smith has called “an intensely personal look at a community and nation facing human tragedy on a scale unmatched in American history.”

Some of these programs will offer fresh looks at famous sites; others will tell the stories of less-visited areas. “These programs are targeted to both visitors and residents, bringing new light to familiar places,” said Superintendent Smith. “The varied focus on both military and civilian stories and sites will, we hope, offer something for almost everyone.”

The series will kick off on June 12 with a walk at Ferry Farm, tracking the history and development of the property, from George Washington’s early home to its involvement in the area’s Civil War activities. Later programs will include a tour of sites associated with the 1863 Second Battle of Fredericksburg (July 3), an in-depth look at a family that suffered the impact of war while living on the Wilderness Battlefield (July 31), and a candlelit evening at Ellwood (August 7).

Except for the Ellwood Candlelight Tours on August 7, all programs will begin at 7 p.m. and last approximately 90 minutes. All programs are free. Click here to see the listing of programs.

SUMMER HOURS AND PROGRAMS ANNOUNCED AT BATTLEFIELD PARK

Summer hours of operation and special summer programs will begin at all of the sites administered by Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Friday, June 12, 2009. Many of the programs will remain in effect through Monday, September 7 (Labor Day), but all of them are valid without exception through Sunday, August 16. These hours and programs include:

Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center:

Daily, 9:00-6:00

Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center:

Daily, 9:00-6:00

Chatham: Daily, 9-4:30

"Stonewall" Jackson Shrine: Daily, 9-5

Wilderness Exhibit Shelter (on Rt. 20):

Historian on duty, Tues-Thurs, 10:30 12:15 & 1:45-4:15

Fri-Mon, 10:30-12:15 & 1:45-5:15

Spotsylvania Exhibit Shelter (off Rt. 613):

Historian on duty, Daily, 10-6

Old Salem Church: (starting June 20) Saturdays and Sundays, 3-6

Ellwood: Friday-Monday, 11-5

"Sunken Road" walking tour: leaves from Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center

Weekdays at 10:25, 11:25, 1:25, 2:25, 3:25 and 4:25

Saturdays and Sundays at 9:25, 10:25, 11:25, 12:25, 1:25, 2:25, 3:25 and 4:25

“War So Terrible: The Key to the battle” two-hour car-caravan tour of Fredericksburg Battlefield. Saturdays and Sundays only at 2:15 p.m. Leaves from Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center. Recommended to be taken in conjunction with 1:25 Sunken Road walking tour.

"Stonewall Jackson" walking tour: leaves from Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center

Weekdays at 10:25, 11:25, 1:25, 2:25, 3:25 and 4:25

Saturdays and Sundays at 10:25, 11:25, 12:25, 1:25, 2:25, 3:25 and 4:25

Eyewitness to History: A Dramatic Presentation “Fallen Hero, Ruined Home: The David Kyle Story” Leaves from Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center, Saturdays and Sundays only at 11:05, 12:05, 1:05, 2:05, 3:05 and 4:05

"Grant vs. Lee: No Turning Back" walking tour: leaves from Wilderness Exhibit Shelter Daily at 11:00 and 2:00

"Bloody Angle" walking tour: leaves from tour stop #14 on Spotsylvania Battlefield Daily at 1:00 and 4:00

Fall hours will begin on Tuesday, September 8.

For additional information, call 540-373-6122 or 540-786-2880.

* * * *

06/07/09

National Park Service Recovery Act Projects

Click here for more information.

National Park Service Fee Free Weekends

Click here for more information.

______________________________________________________

Entrance Hall at Ellwood

The National Park Service has purchased the 63-acre Dotson Tract north of Route 20, just west of the final Union defensive positions on the Wilderness Battlefield. This property was part of the controversial effort to obtain commercial rezoning for what was termed “Wilderness Crossing” earlier this year. That effort was disapproved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors because of community opposition.