Tweet
140 years later
May 8, 2004 1:10 am
Spotsylvania re-enactment is a reminder of the need for preservation
THOUSANDS OF RE-ENACTORS, Civil War buffs, and tourists have marked this weekend on their calendars as a time to celebrate history and maybe learn something new. They've set their sights on Belvedere Plantation, which is playing host to the 140th-anniversary re-enactment of the Battle of Spotsylvania.
The plantation, known for its Halloween pumpkin patch and its Maize Maze, is a popular county business that happens to be located near where Confederate troops clashed with their Union counterparts. So it was a good choice for this event, which Spotsylvania officials see as a major economic-development opportunity.
Not to rain on the history-loving parade, but the selection of Belvedere also brings up a not-so-good point about life in Spotsylvania--well, really life in the Fredericksburg area generally--140 years after this particular clash. This year's re-enactment is the first that's actually been held in the county in four decades. That's good. If the event's about the area, it ought to be in the area. Problem is, the re-enactment can't be held on the actual battle site.
That's partially because much of the battle-witnessing land is controlled by the National Park Service, which doesn't allow re-enacting on protected land. But it's also due to the fact that part of that land has been developed already. Restricting access for re-enactment because that activity could accidentally damage federally protected historic ground is one thing. But warping the interpretation of history because that land is now a subdivision that looks oddly just like the subdivision next door (and the one after that, and the one after that )? That smarts.
This region is proud of its history, and for good reason. It reminds us of those who went before us, and it benefits us by bringing in tourists who spend the best kind of money: They stay here for a while and patronize local businesses, but they don't require expensive resident services like schools and more roads. But while we gaze back at the past this weekend, let's also look forward. Let's remember that though one battle ended 140 years ago, the fight for historic preservation continues.
May 8, 2004 1:10 am
THOUSANDS OF RE-ENACTORS, Civil War buffs, and tourists have marked this weekend on their calendars as a time to celebrate history and maybe learn something new. They've set their sights on Belvedere Plantation, which is playing host to the 140th-anniversary re-enactment of the Battle of Spotsylvania.
The plantation, known for its Halloween pumpkin patch and its Maize Maze, is a popular county business that happens to be located near where Confederate troops clashed with their Union counterparts. So it was a good choice for this event, which Spotsylvania officials see as a major economic-development opportunity.
Not to rain on the history-loving parade, but the selection of Belvedere also brings up a not-so-good point about life in Spotsylvania--well, really life in the Fredericksburg area generally--140 years after this particular clash. This year's re-enactment is the first that's actually been held in the county in four decades. That's good. If the event's about the area, it ought to be in the area. Problem is, the re-enactment can't be held on the actual battle site.
That's partially because much of the battle-witnessing land is controlled by the National Park Service, which doesn't allow re-enacting on protected land. But it's also due to the fact that part of that land has been developed already. Restricting access for re-enactment because that activity could accidentally damage federally protected historic ground is one thing. But warping the interpretation of history because that land is now a subdivision that looks oddly just like the subdivision next door (and the one after that, and the one after that )? That smarts.
This region is proud of its history, and for good reason. It reminds us of those who went before us, and it benefits us by bringing in tourists who spend the best kind of money: They stay here for a while and patronize local businesses, but they don't require expensive resident services like schools and more roads. But while we gaze back at the past this weekend, let's also look forward. Let's remember that though one battle ended 140 years ago, the fight for historic preservation continues.