Students will explore the historical and natural aspects of the Shenandoah River Campus at Cool Spring Battlefield .
President Tracy Fitzsimmons and other key participants in the Cool Spring Battlefield land transfer sign the ceremonial deed to the property at the transfer event , held April 23 .
Battlefield Preservation Effort Provides Access to Historic Site
On the brisk morning of April 23 , 2013 , Shenandoah University embarked on its newest venture — the preservation and protection of land along the Shenandoah River integral to the July 18 , 1864 , Battle of Cool Spring . These 195 acres of land , now known as the Shenandoah River Campus at Cool Spring Battlefield , were acquired by the Civil War Trust in 2012 . Under the stewardship of the university , the land will now transition from a former golf course into an outdoor classroom for the university community and general public .
“ For years we ’ ve been saying that Shenandoah is a magical name ,” said President Tracy Fitzsimmons , Ph . D . “ It ’ s a word that ’ s known across the country , and when people hear Shenandoah , we want them to think — river , valley , university . So it ’ s really quite perfect now to have , ‘ Shenandoah on the Shenandoah .’”
The property will provide a wide range of educational opportunities , and co-curricular programs will be developed and implemented by the university ’ s Division of Student Life . This programming is fundamental for enhancing a connection to the region , while promoting environmental stewardship and the enjoyment of nature .
“ It ’ s important , to me , as a space for folks to come and just take a walk , take pictures or ride their bikes ,” said Cool Spring Site Manager Gene Lewis . “ We have the river here , some streams , a couple of ponds ; and there ’ s a lot of wildlife . The conservation easement , a legal way to protect this land , will ensure that it is here to stay ; and people will have somewhere like this to come and enjoy whatever it is they want — relaxation , nature , a little bit of peace and quiet .”
This living laboratory will enrich university students ’ lives and learning , and it will afford local schools and the public at large with opportunities to explore the region through historical and natural interpretation .
“ If these properties are not preserved now , they will be lost forever ,” said Professor of History Warren Hofstra , Ph . D . “ Future generations will be unable to appreciate what we now so abundantly enjoy and learn from in the natural and historical environment .”
“ This is a win for all of our academic programs . This is an outdoor learning laboratory of the finest caliber .”
Visionary Partnerships
President Tracy Fitzsimmons , Ph . D .
This road to preservation and protection of the Cool Spring site is paved with an assortment of agencies and entities partnering together for a common cause . “ The Civil War Trust is in the battlefield preservation business of preserving land , not owning it ,” said President of the Civil War Trust James Lighthizer . “ So , we ’ ve got the best of both worlds here . We got to preserve it , and now we ’ re handing it off to a wonderful organization — Shenandoah University — and they get to manage it , preserve it and educate people through this facility and land .”
The $ 2 million purchase price for the land was achieved through generous , competitively awarded preservation matching grants at the federal and state levels . Landowner donation and contributions from Civil War Trust members played a significant role as well . The American Battlefield Protection Program , administered by the National Park Service , contributed $ 200,000 , while the Virginia Civil War Sites Preservation Fund put forward another $ 800,000 .
Throughout this project , Shenandoah University also worked diligently with the offices of Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Doug Domenech and Virginia Director of Historic Resources Kathleen Kilpatrick as well as the Clarke County Board of Supervisors . The university looks forward to developing strong relationships with its neighbors around its new river campus , including Shenandoah Retreat , Rolling Ridge Foundation and Holy Cross Abbey .
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