Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation

Causes: Arts & Culture, Arts, Culture & Humanities

Mission: The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District is a congressionally authorized National Heritage Area (Public Law 104-333, November 12, 1996). The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation is the designated “management entity” for the National Historic District. The mission of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation (SVBF) is to implement the Management Plan for the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District and to identify, protect, preserve, interpret, promote, and manage the Civil War battlefields, related sites, and heritage of the Historic District as well as other cultural and natural resources in the district. The Foundation accomplishes its mission through public and private partnerships with allied interests at the local, state, and national levels. In addition, the SVBF achieves its mission through: • community-based planning; • receipt and disbursement of public and private funds; • purchase of battlefield land or conservation easements; • programs with government and non-profit organizations; • comprehensive education, interpretation, and marketing programs; and • technical advice to local governments and organizations as requested.

Results: To date, the accomplishments of the Foundation include: - Protecting more than 1,450 acres of battlefield land. We are currently talking with landowners to protect an additional 1,700 acres. - Helping partner organizations protect 878 acres of land by raising almost $1.1 million for them and providing technical assistance. - Developing preservation plans for four battlefields in collaboration with landowners and local governments. - Making grants to partner organizations totaling $657,000 that have leveraged $2.75 million in projects. - Helping sponsor reenactments, living history events, and community-wide activities. - Publication of two educational booklets with a third on the way. - Producing a District-wide Interpretive Plan and District-wide Marketing Plan, both of which have received national recognition. - Launching of an award-winning website that helps travelers find Civil War sites and plan visits to the Valley. - Recipient of several national and state awards for programs as well as being recognized in a number of professional publications.

Target demographics: The purpose of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation and the National Historic District we manage is to protect and preserve the Valley’s Civil War battlefields, interpret both the military and civilian stories of the war, and to market and promote the Valley as a premier heritage tourism destination.

Geographic areas served: Virginia, Shenandoah Valley

Programs: Preservation and interpretation of civil war battlefield sites. Providing grants for organizations participating in battlefield preservation and interpretation.