$75,000 Preservation Easement Helps Fund Middletown Train Station Rebuild Project

Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation and Town of Middletown Partner to Preserve 23 Acres of Cedar Creek Battlefield and Support Local Heritage

MIDDLETOWN, Va. — The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation (SVBF) has officially paid the Town of Middletown $75,000 for a preservation easement that permanently protects 23 acres of the Cedar Creek Battlefield. The agreement ensures the land will remain open and preserved for future generations, safeguarding a key parcel in the center of one of the most significant battlefields of the Civil War.

The preserved property—just steps off Main Street and adjacent to the historic Wayside Inn—had once been eyed for potential residential or commercial development. Instead, the Town of Middletown and the Battlefields Foundation partnered to protect this vital piece of national history. The 23-acre tract, consisting of 20 acres purchased by the Town and 3 acres donated by a local developer, will remain open space with public access and interpretive opportunities for visitors.

Battlefields Foundation CEO Keven Walker praised the collaboration, noting that the Middletown partnership exemplifies how battlefield preservation can have a tangible, positive impact on local communities.

“Preserving this land honors the sacrifices made here 161 years ago,” Walker said. “And now, thanks to Middletown’s vision, that preservation will also help build something new—a destination that connects history, community, and education.”

“This is a win for both history and the future,” said Middletown Mayor Charles Harbaugh IV. “We’re proud to work with the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation to preserve this important land. Not only does it protect our heritage, but it also creates new opportunities to reinvest in our town’s future.”

The $75,000 from the easement will directly support the rebuilding of Middletown’s historic B&O Train Station, the future home of the Winchester & Middletown Model Railroad Association. The project marks a major milestone in Middletown’s effort to restore the town’s railroad heritage while creating an attraction that will educate and entertain residents and visitors alike.

Thanks to a $50,000 donation from former Valley Proteins President and CEO J.J. Smith, along with over $100,000 in contributions from Dave Holliday Construction and Project Manager Patrick Sowers, the project is now nearing its goal. The new train station will feature meeting space for the club, a museum, and a large-scale model train display.

“Every dollar from this easement is being used twice—once to preserve hallowed ground and again to bring life back to a beloved landmark,” Harbaugh added. “This partnership shows how historic preservation can fuel community revitalization.”

The Winchester & Middletown Model Railroad Association broke ground on the new station this month, with completion expected in spring 2026. The group signed a 25-year renewable lease with the Town, ensuring the building will be open to the public and serve as an educational resource for years to come.

To learn more about the Winchester & Middletown Model Railroad Association, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/WinchesterModelRailroad.