Doc_Ralph
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2023
"Volunteers sought to boost Va. battlefields, historic sites
Most events are planned to take place April 6, depending on weather
AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST a day ago
© Adobe Stock photo
https://www.vmcdn.ca/files/texttospeech/8495888-24cb1a7d-fb2c-4da2-9ebe-7d0435494973.mp3
"This April, volunteers throughout Virginia are teaming up with the American Battlefield Trust for the annual spring clean-up event of 13 Old Dominion battlefields and historic sites during the 28th annual Park Day.
For nearly three decades, the nationwide hands-on preservation event, Park Day, has provided an avenue to refresh these locations in time for tourist season.
Park Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2024, but due to weather or considerations some sites may choose to participate in the event on an alternative date. Virginia volunteers will be joined by participants across 28 states and territories. Many volunteers will have the opportunity to obtain Trust backpacks, and some sites will be providing lunch or refreshments. A local historian may also be present to discuss the unique role of the site in our national history. Virginia volunteers interested in participating in Park Day are encouraged to contact the individual sites listed below.
Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park, Leesburg, 9:00 am
Contact: Ben Bilko at [email protected]
Volunteers will be assigned to several tasks, including mulching trails, picking up trash, filling potholes, cleaning signs and kiosks, painting gates, moving tree debris, and other duties. Guided battlefield tours will be given at 11 am and 1 pm, plus light refreshments will be offered. Tools will be provided, but participants should bring gloves, eye protection, and water.
Battle of Williamsburg, Williamsburg, 9:00 am
Contact: Don Kline at [email protected]
Volunteers will join the Williamsburg Battlefield Association at one of two tracts, picking up litter along roadways and property interiors, light landscaping to remove tree and shrub overgrowth, and removing fallen tree limbs. Following the morning safety brief, a historical talk will be offered, and the lecturer will answer any questions on the Battle of Williamsburg. Volunteers should wear weather-appropriate clothing, work gloves, and sturdy shoes, and are encouraged to bring landscaping tools.
Brandy Station Graffiti House, Brandy Station, 10:00 am
Contact: Peter Mocarski at [email protected]
Volunteers will help relocate the Brandy Station sign on U.S. 29 and perform light landscaping afterward. Participants are welcome to tour the Graffiti House. All tools and equipment will be provided. Register with Peggy Misch at [email protected] to volunteer.
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, Bristow, 9:00 am
Contact: Kevin Pawlak at [email protected]
Volunteers will pick up trash, mulch trails, rebuild fences, and trim tree limbs. Participants should bring work gloves, shovels, and rakes.
Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, Middletown, 9:00 am
Contact: Ashley Sonntag at [email protected]
Volunteers are needed to conduct fence repairs, sapling removal, fence line clearing, trail maintenance, wayside cleaning, and other outside and indoor activities. Museum exhibits will be open and available to all attendees. Participants are encouraged to bring gloves, hand saws, rakes, clippers, brush cutters, and should wear long pants and boots.
Cedar Mountain Battlefield, Rapidan, 9:00 am
Contact: Diane Logan at [email protected]
Volunteers will help with trail maintenance, clean up cannons and signage, clear the trails and cemeteries of winter debris, remove litter along General Winder Road, and weed and rake around the visitor center. A guided walking tour of the Cedar Mountain Battlefield will be provided by a knowledgeable guide. Participants should bring a jacket, hat, sturdy shoes, gloves, and gardening tools.
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, Locust Grove, 9:00 am
Contact: Beth Parnicza at [email protected]
Volunteers will be assigned to either Ellwood or the Chancellorsville Battlefield to help with battlefield clean-up and bollard painting. All equipment and training will be provided, but participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts.
Historic Salubria, Stevensburg, 9:00 am
Contact: Shannon Doherty at [email protected]
Volunteers will assist in various indoor and outdoor tasks, including cleaning the Salubria Community Cemetery, repairing the split-rail fence, and tidying up the interior and exterior of the house. All attendees will be rewarded with a behind-the-scenes tour of Salubria with the Historic Germanna staff. Some tools are available, such as clippers, loppers, brooms, rakes, dusters, and shovels, but participants can bring their own and should also wear gloves, protective gear, sturdy shoes, and a long-sleeved shirt and pants.
Kernstown Battlefield, Winchester, 9:00 am
Contact: Larry Turner at [email protected]
Volunteers will help sweep and dust the museum and historic home interiors, mulch the gardens, load cut-up trees and brush into trailers, and clean and reset wayside interpretative sign pedestals. The Kernstown Battlefield Association will provide a light lunch at noon and historical tours of the property after the work has been completed. Participants are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing, work shoes, and gloves.
Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, 8:30 am
Contact: Liz Hokanson at [email protected]
Volunteers will participate in a variety of trail and landscape maintenance, as well as cleanup projects around Brawner Farm and the Deep Cut. Throughout the day, the Brawner farmhouse exhibits will be open, plus park staff will be on hand for kids' programming and any questions that may arise regarding the site's history. Protective equipment will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves, weather-appropriate attire, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, and water.
Payne's Farm, Locust Grove, 9:30 am
Contact: Chris O'Donnell at [email protected]
Volunteers will be asked to do general trail maintenance, including clearing brush and debris, cleaning interpretative signs, and picking up trash. Participants are encouraged to bring rakes, durable shoes, and equipment to cut down dead or overgrown tree limbs, such as handsaws or hatchets.
Petersburg National Battlefield, Petersburg, 10:00 am
Contact: [email protected]
Volunteers will work in groups to cut down small trees and other tall vegetation, pick up litter, and clean informational signs. Rangers will be available to discuss the Battle of Fort Gregg and its role in the conclusion of the Petersburg Campaign. Participants are encouraged to bring water, sunscreen, gloves, bug spray, weather-appropriate clothing, long pants, and close-toed shoes. Volunteers are asked to meet at 9:45 am to fill out paperwork and set up for the day.
Saltville Battlefield, Saltville, 9:00 am
Contact: Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc at [email protected]
Volunteers will help perform general clean up around the battlefield. No supplies are needed.
For a complete list of participating Park Day sites and more information, visit www.battlefields.org/parkday. Volunteers can share their Park Day participation online using #ParkDay2024.
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 58,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War across 155 sites in 25 states. Learn more at www.battlefields.org."
Most events are planned to take place April 6, depending on weather
AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST a day ago
https://www.vmcdn.ca/files/texttospeech/8495888-24cb1a7d-fb2c-4da2-9ebe-7d0435494973.mp3
"This April, volunteers throughout Virginia are teaming up with the American Battlefield Trust for the annual spring clean-up event of 13 Old Dominion battlefields and historic sites during the 28th annual Park Day.
For nearly three decades, the nationwide hands-on preservation event, Park Day, has provided an avenue to refresh these locations in time for tourist season.
Park Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2024, but due to weather or considerations some sites may choose to participate in the event on an alternative date. Virginia volunteers will be joined by participants across 28 states and territories. Many volunteers will have the opportunity to obtain Trust backpacks, and some sites will be providing lunch or refreshments. A local historian may also be present to discuss the unique role of the site in our national history. Virginia volunteers interested in participating in Park Day are encouraged to contact the individual sites listed below.
Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park, Leesburg, 9:00 am
Contact: Ben Bilko at [email protected]
Volunteers will be assigned to several tasks, including mulching trails, picking up trash, filling potholes, cleaning signs and kiosks, painting gates, moving tree debris, and other duties. Guided battlefield tours will be given at 11 am and 1 pm, plus light refreshments will be offered. Tools will be provided, but participants should bring gloves, eye protection, and water.
Battle of Williamsburg, Williamsburg, 9:00 am
Contact: Don Kline at [email protected]
Volunteers will join the Williamsburg Battlefield Association at one of two tracts, picking up litter along roadways and property interiors, light landscaping to remove tree and shrub overgrowth, and removing fallen tree limbs. Following the morning safety brief, a historical talk will be offered, and the lecturer will answer any questions on the Battle of Williamsburg. Volunteers should wear weather-appropriate clothing, work gloves, and sturdy shoes, and are encouraged to bring landscaping tools.
Brandy Station Graffiti House, Brandy Station, 10:00 am
Contact: Peter Mocarski at [email protected]
Volunteers will help relocate the Brandy Station sign on U.S. 29 and perform light landscaping afterward. Participants are welcome to tour the Graffiti House. All tools and equipment will be provided. Register with Peggy Misch at [email protected] to volunteer.
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, Bristow, 9:00 am
Contact: Kevin Pawlak at [email protected]
Volunteers will pick up trash, mulch trails, rebuild fences, and trim tree limbs. Participants should bring work gloves, shovels, and rakes.
Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, Middletown, 9:00 am
Contact: Ashley Sonntag at [email protected]
Volunteers are needed to conduct fence repairs, sapling removal, fence line clearing, trail maintenance, wayside cleaning, and other outside and indoor activities. Museum exhibits will be open and available to all attendees. Participants are encouraged to bring gloves, hand saws, rakes, clippers, brush cutters, and should wear long pants and boots.
Cedar Mountain Battlefield, Rapidan, 9:00 am
Contact: Diane Logan at [email protected]
Volunteers will help with trail maintenance, clean up cannons and signage, clear the trails and cemeteries of winter debris, remove litter along General Winder Road, and weed and rake around the visitor center. A guided walking tour of the Cedar Mountain Battlefield will be provided by a knowledgeable guide. Participants should bring a jacket, hat, sturdy shoes, gloves, and gardening tools.
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, Locust Grove, 9:00 am
Contact: Beth Parnicza at [email protected]
Volunteers will be assigned to either Ellwood or the Chancellorsville Battlefield to help with battlefield clean-up and bollard painting. All equipment and training will be provided, but participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts.
Historic Salubria, Stevensburg, 9:00 am
Contact: Shannon Doherty at [email protected]
Volunteers will assist in various indoor and outdoor tasks, including cleaning the Salubria Community Cemetery, repairing the split-rail fence, and tidying up the interior and exterior of the house. All attendees will be rewarded with a behind-the-scenes tour of Salubria with the Historic Germanna staff. Some tools are available, such as clippers, loppers, brooms, rakes, dusters, and shovels, but participants can bring their own and should also wear gloves, protective gear, sturdy shoes, and a long-sleeved shirt and pants.
Kernstown Battlefield, Winchester, 9:00 am
Contact: Larry Turner at [email protected]
Volunteers will help sweep and dust the museum and historic home interiors, mulch the gardens, load cut-up trees and brush into trailers, and clean and reset wayside interpretative sign pedestals. The Kernstown Battlefield Association will provide a light lunch at noon and historical tours of the property after the work has been completed. Participants are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing, work shoes, and gloves.
Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, 8:30 am
Contact: Liz Hokanson at [email protected]
Volunteers will participate in a variety of trail and landscape maintenance, as well as cleanup projects around Brawner Farm and the Deep Cut. Throughout the day, the Brawner farmhouse exhibits will be open, plus park staff will be on hand for kids' programming and any questions that may arise regarding the site's history. Protective equipment will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves, weather-appropriate attire, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, and water.
Payne's Farm, Locust Grove, 9:30 am
Contact: Chris O'Donnell at [email protected]
Volunteers will be asked to do general trail maintenance, including clearing brush and debris, cleaning interpretative signs, and picking up trash. Participants are encouraged to bring rakes, durable shoes, and equipment to cut down dead or overgrown tree limbs, such as handsaws or hatchets.
Petersburg National Battlefield, Petersburg, 10:00 am
Contact: [email protected]
Volunteers will work in groups to cut down small trees and other tall vegetation, pick up litter, and clean informational signs. Rangers will be available to discuss the Battle of Fort Gregg and its role in the conclusion of the Petersburg Campaign. Participants are encouraged to bring water, sunscreen, gloves, bug spray, weather-appropriate clothing, long pants, and close-toed shoes. Volunteers are asked to meet at 9:45 am to fill out paperwork and set up for the day.
Saltville Battlefield, Saltville, 9:00 am
Contact: Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc at [email protected]
Volunteers will help perform general clean up around the battlefield. No supplies are needed.
For a complete list of participating Park Day sites and more information, visit www.battlefields.org/parkday. Volunteers can share their Park Day participation online using #ParkDay2024.
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 58,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War across 155 sites in 25 states. Learn more at www.battlefields.org."
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