| Culpeper Battlefields State Park | |
|---|---|
  Location of Culpeper Battlefields State Park | |
| Location | Culpeper County, Virginia |
| Nearest city | Culpeper, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38°28′04″N 78°02′48″W / 38.4678201°N 78.046658°W |
| Area | 1,700 acres (690 ha) |
| Established | 2022 |
| Governing body | Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation |
Culpeper Battlefields State Park is a state park currently under development in Culpeper County, Virginia. The park was authorized for creation by Governor Glenn Youngkin on 21 June 2022 and is scheduled to officially open on 1 July 2024, although many of the sites were previously protected and are now open to the public. [1] [2] It will be the first state park in Culpeper County and the northern Virginia Piedmont region.
The park will feature several disconnected battlefields where major engagements took place during the American Civil War, with primary focus on the Cedar Mountain battlefield, just south of Culpeper, and Brandy Station Battlefield, which took place northeast of the town. In addition, parts of the battlefields at Kelly's Ford, Rappahannock Station, and the Union winter quarters on Hansbrough's Ridge near Stevensburg will be included in the park. [3]
History
Culpeper County's geographic location between the Rapidan and the Rappahannock rivers made it high priority for both the Union and Confederate armies. At the Battle of Cedar Mountain, fought on 9 August 1862, a Confederate army under Maj. Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson pushed back Union forces under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks attempting to capture the railway junction at Gordonsville. The Battle of Brandy Station, fought on 9 June 1863, came at the beginning of the Gettysburg campaign and featured the largest cavalry battle ever in North America. [3] In addition to the many battles that took place in Culpeper County, the land is steeped in African American and Native American history. Thousands of escaped slaves fled Culpeper County across the Rappahannock River in an attempt to gain their freedom, with some returning to fight as free men. [4]
Details
The initial 1,700 acres of land that will comprise the park is currently owned by the American Battlefield Trust but will be transferred to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation over the next five years. [4] The 2022 budget also included $3 million appropriation to purchase up to 800 additional acres to preserve even more land that will create opportunities for education and outdoor recreation for visitors.
As required by the Code of Virginia, a state park master plan is currently in development. State park master plans cover all details of the park, including significance, size, locations of facilities, infrastructure, and development costs. [5]
References
- ^ "Info & News". The Friends of Culpeper Battlefields. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ "New Battlefield State Park Coming to Virginia!". American Battlefield Trust. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ a b Schemmer, Clint (2022-06-03). "Culpeper Battlefields State Park approved by Virginia General Assembly". Culpeper Star-Exponent. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ a b Champion, Allison Brophy. "'A lot more stories to tell': Master planning is underway for Battlefields State Park". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ "State Park Master Plans". www.dcr.virginia.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
External links
| Culpeper Battlefields State Park | |
|---|---|
Location of Culpeper Battlefields State Park | |
| Location | Culpeper County, Virginia |
| Nearest city | Culpeper, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38°28′04″N 78°02′48″W / 38.4678201°N 78.046658°W |
| Area | 1,700 acres (690 ha) |
| Established | 2022 |
| Governing body | Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation |
Culpeper Battlefields State Park is a state park currently under development in Culpeper County, Virginia. The park was authorized for creation by Governor Glenn Youngkin on 21 June 2022 and is scheduled to officially open on 1 July 2024, although many of the sites were previously protected and are now open to the public. [1] [2] It will be the first state park in Culpeper County and the northern Virginia Piedmont region.
The park will feature several disconnected battlefields where major engagements took place during the American Civil War, with primary focus on the Cedar Mountain battlefield, just south of Culpeper, and Brandy Station Battlefield, which took place northeast of the town. In addition, parts of the battlefields at Kelly's Ford, Rappahannock Station, and the Union winter quarters on Hansbrough's Ridge near Stevensburg will be included in the park. [3]
History
Culpeper County's geographic location between the Rapidan and the Rappahannock rivers made it high priority for both the Union and Confederate armies. At the Battle of Cedar Mountain, fought on 9 August 1862, a Confederate army under Maj. Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson pushed back Union forces under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks attempting to capture the railway junction at Gordonsville. The Battle of Brandy Station, fought on 9 June 1863, came at the beginning of the Gettysburg campaign and featured the largest cavalry battle ever in North America. [3] In addition to the many battles that took place in Culpeper County, the land is steeped in African American and Native American history. Thousands of escaped slaves fled Culpeper County across the Rappahannock River in an attempt to gain their freedom, with some returning to fight as free men. [4]
Details
The initial 1,700 acres of land that will comprise the park is currently owned by the American Battlefield Trust but will be transferred to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation over the next five years. [4] The 2022 budget also included $3 million appropriation to purchase up to 800 additional acres to preserve even more land that will create opportunities for education and outdoor recreation for visitors.
As required by the Code of Virginia, a state park master plan is currently in development. State park master plans cover all details of the park, including significance, size, locations of facilities, infrastructure, and development costs. [5]
References
- ^ "Info & News". The Friends of Culpeper Battlefields. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ "New Battlefield State Park Coming to Virginia!". American Battlefield Trust. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ a b Schemmer, Clint (2022-06-03). "Culpeper Battlefields State Park approved by Virginia General Assembly". Culpeper Star-Exponent. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ a b Champion, Allison Brophy. "'A lot more stories to tell': Master planning is underway for Battlefields State Park". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ "State Park Master Plans". www.dcr.virginia.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-15.