Battlefields Foundation Announces Preservation of 127 Acres at Kernstown Battlefield

WINCHESTER, Virginia — The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation (Battlefields Foundation) is pleased to announce the successful preservation of 127 acres of significant battlefield land at Kernstown in Frederick County, Virginia, permanently protecting an area associated with the First Battle of Kernstown (March 23, 1862), the Second Battle of Winchester (June 13-15, 1863), and the Second Battle of Kernstown (July 24, 1864).

Located within the areas of three nationally recognized battlefields and adjoining previously protected lands, the protection of these tracts represents one of the most consequential battlefield preservation achievements in the lower Shenandoah Valley in recent years. The property's protection strengthens the integrity of the historic landscape while creating new opportunities for interpretation, education, and public engagement.

The $2.79 million acquisition was funded through a combination of grants from the American Battlefield Protection Program and the Virginia Battlefield Preservation Fund, together with generous private contributions and support from preservation partners.

“This preservation success reflects years of hard work and the commitment of thousands of individuals and multiple organizations who understand the importance of protecting our nation's history,” said Keven Walker, Chief Executive Officer of the Battlefields Foundation. “These 127 acres witnessed horrific fighting; pivotal moments in the Civil War and are important to the story of Winchester and the Shenandoah Valley. Because of the support we received, this ground will remain protected forever.”

A critical factor in the success of the project was the ability to act quickly when the property became available. Given the risk that the tract could be sold and developed if left for sale on the open market, the Battlefields Foundation moved rapidly to secure and close on the acquisition rather than waiting for grant funds to be awarded and distributed.

Because the acquisition had to be completed before grant reimbursements were received, the Battlefields Foundation relied on traditional financing and carried hundreds of thousands of dollars in interim costs while awaiting the arrival of federal and state preservation funding. The ability to bridge that gap was made possible through the generosity of the James R. Wilkins Charitable Trust, along with numerous friends, donors, and supporters of the Battlefields Foundation.

The Battlefields Foundation also extends special recognition to the Kernstown Battlefield Association, who helped launch the preservation effort. Understanding the importance of the opportunity, the Association provided a $25,000 contribution used as the down payment that enabled the Battlefields Foundation to secure the property and move forward with the acquisition process at a critical moment.

“The preservation of these 127 acres began with an extraordinary act of faith and generosity by the Kernstown Battlefield Association,” Walker said. “Their willingness to step forward when it mattered most allowed us to take this property off the market and begin assembling the resources necessary to complete the project. We are deeply grateful for their efforts and their decades of commitment to the Kernstown Battlefield.”

The newly preserved tracts occupy a strategically important position within a landscape that experienced repeated military action throughout the Civil War. Its protection safeguards historic viewsheds, preserves battlefield context, and strengthens connections between previously protected lands that collectively tell the story of the campaigns fought for control of the lower Shenandoah Valley.

“This accomplishment demonstrates what can be achieved when preservation organizations, public agencies, donors, and community supporters work together toward a common goal,” said Jack Owens, Director of Land Preservation for the Battlefields Foundation. “This landscape survived more than 160 years. Thanks to the individuals and organizations who rallied behind this effort, it will now be protected for generations to come.”

As a direct result of the acquisition, visitors can now enjoy expanded access to the battlefield through the completion of Phase I of a new connector trail system. Constructed by the Kernstown Battlefield Association in partnership with Frederick County Parks and Recreation, the trail traverses the newly preserved property and links Frederick County's Rose Hill Park with the Association's 37-acre Sandy Ridge Tract. The project represents the first phase of a planned two-phase trail network designed to improve public access to the Kernstown Battlefield landscape while creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation, historical interpretation, and educational programming. By connecting previously separate properties, the trail allows visitors to experience a larger portion of the battlefield and gain a deeper understanding of the events that unfolded across this historic landscape.

The Kernstown acquisition adds to the Battlefields Foundation's growing portfolio of over 8,000 acres of protected battlefield lands and advances its mission of preserving, interpreting, and sharing the Civil War history of the Shenandoah Valley.