Battling for Manassas: The Fifty-Year Preservation Struggle at Manassas National Battlefield Park

Table of Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Bibliography

Appendix I

Appendix II

Appendix III

Appendix IV

Appendix V (omitted from on-line edition)

Appendix VI

Appendix VII

Appendix VIII

Manassas Chapter 4

Park Additions

PARK ADDITIONS

The construction boom that northern Virginia and the town of Manassas experienced beginning in the late 1940s demonstrated that historically significant lands excluded from the initial park boundaries were threatened. Park superintendents responded by identifying the most important areas and canvassing a variety of agencies to obtain these lands. Their efforts led to the passage of boundary legislation, which added 1,400 acres to the existing park.

The superintendents focused on lands that had been listed as high-priority acquisitions for the battlefield park; they did not involve themselves in developments on nearby lands that failed to meet this test of historic significance. Lacking funds for obtaining historic lands, the Park Service sought assistance from any friendly source. In many ways, the NPS displayed creativity and diligence by asking for help from states, private individuals, organizations, and even the developers themselves. Park Service representatives found many friends of preservation, reflective of an interest in the post-World War II era to capture and retell the past. The Service's ability to communicate effectively with all parties resulted in the successful expansion of the battlefield park. And, while adding to the park's boundaries, the early superintendents also made sure that visitors had a proper orientation about the landscape's historic significance.

http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/mana/adhi4.htm