eHistory.com - Preservation Societies: Friends of Wilderness Battlefield

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PRESERVATION SOCIETIES: Friends of the Wilderness Battlefield

Who We Are

logo The Friends of Wilderness Battlefield was formed in 1995 from a group of ten residents residing in Spotsylvania and Orange Counties, Virginia. Since that first meeting of ten individuals, on September 23rd, the Friends group has grown to a membership of over two hundred representing the United States, Canada, and Europe. We are still growing! Our purpose is to work, in partnership, with the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park to preserve our historic resources in and around the Wilderness Battlefield. Our members and volunteers are the foundation that allows us to perform the services we offer.

The Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, which includes the Wilderness Battlefield, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania Court House Battlefields, is the largest national military reserve in the world. Our area is rich with history. Four major Civil War battles took place on overlapping grounds in 1862, 1863, and 1864. However, our area is also rich with development that threatens these hallowed grounds. Our group seeks to protect and interpret the Wilderness Battlefield for present as well as future generations.

Accomplishments

To advance our education mission we have completed the following:

Conducted guided walking tours of the Wilderness Battlefield.

Conducted a televised seminar on the Battle of the Wilderness.

Sponsored bus tours: Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse, Yellow Tavern and North Anna with award winning author Gordon Rhea.

Conducted Civil War living history programs in local libraries.

Issue our own informative quarterly newsletter.

Spoken about the Battle of the Wilderness and battlefield preservation at meetings and community groups.

Researched historical resources to aid our out of state members with ancestors who fought in the battle of the Wilderness.

Host our annual living history complete with military and civilian reenactors and camps to commemorate the Battle of the Wilderness. (Includes skirmishes, drills, camp life)

Sponsored lectures by Gordon Rhea, author of The Battle of Wilderness May 5-6, 1864.

Conducted a "Bringing History to Life in the Classroom" seminar for teachers. Conduct Civil War education for Kid’s programs. Children interact with several Civil War reenactors both military and civilian.