Leading Battlefield Preservation Nonprofit Celebrates 55,000 Acres Saved, Landmark Victory Achieved

(Washington, D.C.) — The American Battlefield Trust has celebrated its second annual Victory Week began by achieving the milestone of 55,000 acres preserved forever, a threshold crossed with the completion of projects at Bentonville, N.C. (seven acres), Cedar Mountain, Va. (86 acres), Chattanooga, Tenn.(302 acres), Cold Harbor, Va. (six acres),  Manassas, Va. (four acres); Trevilian Station, Va. (nine acres), and Williamsburg, Va. (245 acres), a series of victories that totals some 659 acres located across seven battlefields in three states. The Trust tradition falls squarely within Historic Preservation Month and serves as a time to fully detail the complex process that moves a property from “at risk” to “saved forever.”  

“It’s a gratifying feeling when you take a moment to step back and see what your hard work has produced,” said Trust President David Duncan. “This week gives the Trust the opportunity to not only showcase the fruits of its labor, but also thank our generous members for the role they play in the ‘victory’ process.”  

A highlight of the Victory Week roster took shape in Tidewater Virginia. The 245-acre James Custis Farm on the Williamsburg Battlefield had long posed a challenge to the preservation community with its massive $9.2 million value. However, the project was awarded the largest matching grant in the history of the federal American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP), and additional support was garnered from the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Virginia Battlefield Preservation Fund, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, a landowner donation and the U.S. Navy’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program. Ultimately, this combined assistance enabled a remarkable $163-to-$1 match when the Trust launched its fundraising campaign to complete financing for the purchase just three months ago. The James Custis Farm represents the second-most expensive project the Trust has ever undertaken — the first being the organization’s 2006 acquisition of the Slaughter Pen Farm in Fredericksburg, Va. 

Not only valuable for its large size, desirable location and development potential, the James Custis Farm has an extensive history that dates to the 17th century when it was known as “Fouace’s Quarter” after Stephen Fouace, one of the original trustees of the College of William and Mary. Later, it became associated with Carter’s Grove Plantation, and over centuries enslaved labor produced liquor, tobacco, wheat, wool, butter, mutton, livestock on the property. And before the outbreak of the Civil War, the property belonged to James W. Custis, who served in both houses of the Virginia legislature.  

The Battle of Williamsburg was fought on May 5, 1862, when troops from the Army of the Potomac engaged Confederate forces retreating from a month-long siege at Yorktown. Despite the battle’s inconclusive end, the Federals were bolstered by intelligence from members of the local enslaved community, who pointed the blue-clad soldiers toward unoccupied redoubts 11 and 14. It was at Redoubt 11, on the newly protected property, that Brig. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock reestablished his line, repulsed the Confederates and earned the sobriquet “Hancock the Superb.”  

Recognizing the property’s multi-part significance within the Old Dominion’s rich history, many officials at the federal, state and local level encouraged the pursuit of preservation. In particular, Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA), and Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA) were essential advocates, as were State Senator Bryce Reeves (R-17th District), Delegate Barry Knight (R-81st District), State Senator J. Chapman Petersen (D-34th District), State Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr. (R-24th District), Delegate Robert Bloxom, Jr. (R-100th District), Delegate Alfonso Lopez (D-49th District), State Senator David Marsden (D-37th District), Delegate Michael Webert (R-18th District), and Delegate Daniel Marshall III (R-14th District). 

The process of preservation is rarely undertaken alone, and the victories celebrated demonstrate the necessity of partnerships to the Trust’s work — not just regional preservation groups, but also elected officials at all levels and generous individual donors. Without their steadfast support, the milestone of more than 55,000 historic acres preserved would not have been possible. The Trust continues to seek out preservation opportunities at a variety of properties, whether they be threatened by imminent development, diverse in terms of history and geography or beloved staples in local communities. Learn more about current preservation campaigns at www.battlefields.org/give/save-battlefields.   

The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today.  The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 55,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.   

 
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