General Management Plan Ceremony

Date: June 9, 2011
Contact: Eric Campbell, [phone]

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park to Commemorate Completion of Park’s new General Management Plan

Middletown, VA ----- Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, its Key Partners and members of the park’s Federal Advisory Commission invite the general public to a ceremony commemorating the completion of the park’s new General Management Plan (GMP) on Thursday, June 16, at 11:00 a.m. on the front lawn of Belle Grove.

This marks an important milestone in the preservation and interpretation of the park’s world-class resources. The plan is a vision for the next 15 to 20 years of the park’s future and addresses numerous issues, including protecting park resources, interpretation and visitor experiences, visitor facilities, access and circulation, partnership collaboration, and technical assistance.

The plan for the new model partnership park was six years in the making and involved a significant collaborative effort, planning and discussion about the park’s future with the Key Partners, the Federal Advisory Commission, local and state government agencies and the public, and involved more than 80 public meetings. The legislated Key Partners include the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Belle Grove, Inc., Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation and Shenandoah County.

Implementation of the GMP will help preserve and protect the locations where the park’s nationally significant stories occurred, from the first Native Americans who hunted and camped along Cedar Creek, to the early pioneers who traveled the Great Wagon Road in the 1730’s to settle the Valley, to the soldiers North and South who fought and died on this hallowed ground in the 1860’s, all have made this region worthy of the site as a new national park.

Although the thousands of acres within the park’s boundaries remain primarily in private hands, collaboration with the National Park Service, local governments, and non-profit organizations is essential for the long-term preservation of its incomparable historical resources and is truly the key to the park’s success.

The ceremony, to be held on the front lawn of the Belle Grove Plantation Manor House, will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will include officials from the National Park Service, representatives of all five of the park’s Key Partner organizations, current and former members of the Federal Advisory Commission, and officials from state, county and local governments.

Elements of the GMP are already in the early stages of implementation, including the presentation of National Park Service ranger conducted interpretive programs, which began last year. Following the ceremony, at 12:30 p.m., a ranger conducted program, “Cedar Creek and Belle Grove in a Box” will be offered.This 30 minute presentation provides an overview of the history of the park and its many stories.

·Photo Opportunity: 11 to 11:45 A.M.Features remarks, document signing, and recognition of federal advisory commissioners and non-profit partners on Belle Grove’s front lawn.