Walmart today announced that it has withdrawn its proposal to build a Walmart Supercenter at a location within the boundaries of Wilderness Battlefield — the site of one of the most important battles of the Civil War. The company instead plans to work with the local community in Orange County, Virginia, to identify an alternative site for development in the County. The company’s development proposal at Wilderness — at a location described by historians as the “nerve center” of the Union Army during the 1864 battle — prompted the National Trust for Historic Preservation last year to list the battlefield as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Orange County’s approval of the development also became the subject of a legal challenge brought by local citizens and preservation organizations. The case was originally scheduled to go to trial this week in Orange County circuit court.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation applauds Walmart’s decision, joining with our partners in the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition, a group including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Civil War Trust, the Piedmont Environmental Council, Friends of Wilderness Battlefield, the National Parks Conservation Association, Preservation Virginia, and a number of other conservation organizations.
Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, made the following statement:
The National Trust for Historic Preservation commends Walmart for taking this important step. By withdrawing the current proposal, the company has created an opportunity for all parties to work together to find an appropriate solution — one that will allow Walmart to pursue development elsewhere in Orange County, while ensuring that this important part of America’s Civil War heritage is protected. We and other members of the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition are greatly encouraged that Walmart is willing to find another location for development — one removed from the battlefield — that we can all support. We also look forward to working with Walmart and others to ensure that the current site will never again become the subject of a development battle.
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded non-profit organization, works to save America's historic places.
![[10 on Tuesday] Rest](http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/192x/c8/b2/34/c8b2343eebdadef03b6eb19f12cfdefb.jpg "[10 on Tuesday] Rest")
![[10 on Tuesday] One](http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/192x/ec/73/c3/ec73c3a63b3b7579697bf4862329e2ad.jpg "[10 on Tuesday] One")
Megan
January 26, 2011
Do we know if there are any plans by the county to review the zoning of that area as commercial? If I recall correctly, it was zoned in the 1970s and, by county statute, the zoning has expired.
Laura
January 26, 2011
Yay!
Anne
January 26, 2011
Hurray!!!
Giselle
January 26, 2011
So proud of all the hard work that went into getting to this point- great job everyone!
This Just In: Wilderness Battlefield Saved! « Preservation in Pink
January 26, 2011
[...] the National Trust for Historic Preservation (via Preservation Nation blog), a statement from President Stephanie Meeks: The National Trust for Historic Preservation commends Walmart for taking this important step. By [...]
Emily
January 26, 2011
Great news! Congratulations to everyone who played a role and stuck with this.
Ryan
January 26, 2011
….and the hoorahs of the union men rose with the rebel yell through the air in great praise for those who took a stand over that hallowed ground.
Some Good News: The Wilderness Battlefield and Walmart | Crossroads
January 26, 2011
[...] Good News: The Wilderness Battlefield and Walmart It’s a pleasure to convey this morning’s news that Walmart has reconsidered its plans to build upon land adjacent to the Wilderness [...]
OCResidentBA
January 26, 2011
Would be curious to a response to the following statement as made in Orange County;s Statement
” Even the eminent James McPherson conceded that no event of historic significance occurred on this land.”
I respect everyone’s view to an opinion and was fairly neutral in the whole situation, but am a bit concerned why nothing has been done (or even mentioned to my knowledge) in regards to conservation of the land (or it even becoming an issue until Walmart). I was a bit neutral to Walmart and know OC definitely need the tax dollars from somewhere. I largely suspect the 6 or 7 county residents who filed suit are Anti-Walmart more than preservationists as your group is. It does concern me that somewhere that a balance between land use rights and historical preservation are going to have to compromise. I find it a bit unnerving that anyone can sue and have the (in my opinion) rightful vote of my elected legislative body overturned. I also would think that in Virginia’s long history since being settled in the 1600′s that there is historic events have occurred in may places now developd. I under stand some need to be preserved and thus the role of the Governments and private organization, but again, somewhere we need to draw a line (again my humble opinion).
I would be curious if you could possibly direct me to resources on the web where I might find more on the WIlderness Battlefield and the historical singnificance of the disputed property as I am just humbly curious as a tax-paying resident of the Rhoadesville section of Orange County. Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Kim Garrison
January 26, 2011
Thank the stars above!!! I grew up in Stafford County and often frequented this battlefield. It is one site that is very dear to my heart from my early years. To me this is hallowed ground where the blood of our forefathers was spilled. Thank goodness there are others who cared enough to fight for the preservation of this endangered site.
No WalMart at the Wilderness « A Magpie Historian
January 26, 2011
[...] the news came that WalMart had decided not to build on the disputed spot on the Wilderness Battlefield. I am cautiously [...]
Walmart Does the Right Thing « Poems from the Battlefield
January 27, 2011
[...] BREAKING NEWS: National Trust for Historic Preservation Commends Walmart’s Decision to Withdraw Pl… [...]
MWBrown
January 27, 2011
To OCResidentBA:
Go to Google and Google Scholar to start your research on The Wilderness battlefield. That “no event of historic significance” took place on the site [itself] may be irrelevant from a preservation/conservation perspective. Preserving/Conserving the “sites of historic significance” only depends on the definition of what is “significant” and could lead to an archipelago of sites with no connection and no possibility of understanding. In preserving Independence Hall in Philadelphia does one simply preserve the hall where delegates met leaving the rest of the building vulnerable? If the answer is yes, we have a disconnected room under glass in some museum with no site context. Of course, I know this is absurd and no one would advocate such an idea – but this is what McPherson’s comment supports.
On a broader note, the taxes Orange County receives from Wal-Mart is something all concerned citizens should research. What are the tax breaks being offered to Wal-Mart by the city leaders? The breaks will offset any benefits. Is Wal-Mart paying for widening of streets to handle the increased traffic flow? Look at your local retail mix and try and understand how Wal-Mart will affect your locally owned establishments.
Land is the most valuable commodity (surely a Virginian understands this as axiomatic). As Will Rogers said: “Buy land, they ain’t makin’ any more it”. This exceptional value compels the public to take an active role in managing its growth.
Uncontrolled growth is cancer.
PreservationNation » Blog Archive » Gettysburg Casino Decision Delayed, Preservation Advocates Remain Hopeful
January 27, 2011
[...] decision by Walmart to abandon its plans for a new Supercenter on a portion of Wilderness Battlefiel… in Orange County, Virginia, is one of those preservation success stories we celebrate [...]
Heartwarming heritage news roundup « Public Historian
February 1, 2011
[...] at home, a heritage win: last week, Walmart announced they would not build a store on the site of Wilderness [...]
ben reynolds
February 1, 2011
OCResidentBA,
I finished a Civil War course with my homeschooled son last April, and The Wilderness was on our touring agenda. (I’m also a member of the Preservation Trust.) If you drive from I-95 out Rte 3, you’ll find a historic church hidden behind tall hedges/trees and surrounded on all sides by urban sprawl. The context of that church’s importance to Civil War battles is entirely lost. It was a clearing in the woods. It is now a woods in a mammoth clearing.
The Wilderness was fought in a forest that was clearcut in chunks every couple of years, providing fuel for local smelters. Essentially, a forest of hand-thick saplings. If you clearcut a WalMart lot, it doesn’t grow back. You no longer have the sense of forest that my son and I had last April as we drove and walked around the area. Here’s a map showing the impact WalMart would have had. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/wilderness/maps/wildernesswalmartmap.html
BTW, WalMart ran into the same situation in Manassas a few years ago, and, again, wisely retreated.