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Foundation to guide future of Civil War fort
By Ed Farrell
The Winchester Star
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Winchester — During the Civil War, the Star Fort earthworks changed hands repeatedly, and played a key role in the Second Battle of Winchester in 1863.
Now, 144 years later, the fort — just north of Winchester off Fortress Drive — has changed hands again. It is now defended, instead of acting as a defensive outpost.
The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation announced on Wednesday it has accepted stewardship of the seven-acre site, with the intent of conserving the historic ruins as an interpretive park.
The property has been under the control of the preservation group Middlesex Artillery-Fleet’s Battery for the past 30 years, but representatives of the group said the time is right for formally protecting what has been described as "one of the most unique" fortresses of its type on the East Coast.
Howard Kittell, executive director of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, points to a photo of a 1989 encampment at Star Fort, a historic Civil War site near Winchester that his group will preserve and protect.
(Ginger Perry)
Howard Kittell, SVBF executive director, said the first step will be to secure the property — which includes an additional 1.6 acres donated by local developers Richard Harrison, Byron Brill, and Carlin Smith — with a fence.
In recent decades, the site has become a favorite of off-road drivers and all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts who have done "significant damage" to the earthenworks, said Robbie Rhodes of Middlesex Artillery.
After the property is secured, an archaeological survey will be undertaken, followed by stabilization of the remaining earthen berms and other historic features.
A series of trails with educational signs will complete the project, which will then be opened to the public. No schedule has been established for the work.
Kittell said the intent is to conserve what remains of the historic fort, not to replicate the fortified earthworks constructed by Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson’s troops in late 1861 or early 1862 as one of several defensive forts near Winchester.
The fort, so named after its distinctive gun emplacements that were strategically positioned to offer fields of fire in five directions and a good line of sight for miles in all directions, was garrisoned in March 1862.
As the war progressed, and Winchester fell to one side or the other, so fell Star Fort, until it reached its historic pinnacle on June 13-15, 1863, at Second Winchester. SVBF literature says the battle resulted "in a complete rout of the Union division stationed at Winchester and elevated Southern hopes for a successful invasion of the North by [Gen. Robert E.] Lee’s army."
Although surrounded by development today, Star Fort and nearby Forts Milroy and Collier have survived, and Fort Collier is a popular tourist destination.
Several speakers gathered on Wednesday in the parking lot of the American Red Cross’s local chapter headquarters on Fortress Drive, just southwest of the fort site.
"This is a good day for Frederick County, for Winchester, and for the Civil War," said Nick Nerangis of the Middlesex Artillery. "Star Fort has been hiding, but it’s not going to hide any more."
He said the site has, on occasion, been cleared of brush, only to suffer damage by off-road enthusiasts and people who might not be aware of the history of the site.
Middlesex Artillery members Nick Nerangis (from right) and Robbie Rhodes, along with developer Byron Brill, participate in Wednesday’s stewardship ceremony at Star Fort near Winchester. Rhodes and Brill are standing in front of a map that shows plans for the Civil War site. A larger version of that map is seen above.
(Ginger Perry)
Kittell told of an incident in which an unidentified developer "brought in a bulldozer and just completely removed one of the original gun emplacements."
Irvin Hess, SVBF chairman, called the site "a silent sentinel" that his group intends to transform into a destination for education and tourism.
"The potential to enhance its awareness is superb," he said. "This is an icon of the Civil War, and this icon deserves to be made the best it can be."
Plans call for a circular walking trail around the fort, with a trail entering the main fort area.
Where the earthen embankments have been damaged, repairs will be made, if possible, but no attempt will be made to restore the ruins.
"As a rule, [complete restoration] is not encouraged, unless you possess really complete documentation," said Kittell.
Still, even a solid conservation effort of the historic site is the fulfillment of a long-time wish for many people.
"The preservation of Star Fort has been the dream of many people for as long as I can remember," said Richard C. Shickle Sr., chairman of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors.
Noting the level of progress and development surrounding the site, he said, "At the end of the day, there’s no reason this fort cannot be preserved."
Kittell offered no timeline for progress on the project, noting that funding is still a challenge.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the conservation project may do so at www.shenandoahatwar.org.
By Ed Farrell
The Winchester Star
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winchester — During the Civil War, the Star Fort earthworks changed hands repeatedly, and played a key role in the Second Battle of Winchester in 1863.
Now, 144 years later, the fort — just north of Winchester off Fortress Drive — has changed hands again. It is now defended, instead of acting as a defensive outpost.
The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation announced on Wednesday it has accepted stewardship of the seven-acre site, with the intent of conserving the historic ruins as an interpretive park.
The property has been under the control of the preservation group Middlesex Artillery-Fleet’s Battery for the past 30 years, but representatives of the group said the time is right for formally protecting what has been described as "one of the most unique" fortresses of its type on the East Coast.
Howard Kittell, executive director of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, points to a photo of a 1989 encampment at Star Fort, a historic Civil War site near Winchester that his group will preserve and protect.
(Ginger Perry)
Howard Kittell, SVBF executive director, said the first step will be to secure the property — which includes an additional 1.6 acres donated by local developers Richard Harrison, Byron Brill, and Carlin Smith — with a fence.
In recent decades, the site has become a favorite of off-road drivers and all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts who have done "significant damage" to the earthenworks, said Robbie Rhodes of Middlesex Artillery.
After the property is secured, an archaeological survey will be undertaken, followed by stabilization of the remaining earthen berms and other historic features.
A series of trails with educational signs will complete the project, which will then be opened to the public. No schedule has been established for the work.
Kittell said the intent is to conserve what remains of the historic fort, not to replicate the fortified earthworks constructed by Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson’s troops in late 1861 or early 1862 as one of several defensive forts near Winchester.
The fort, so named after its distinctive gun emplacements that were strategically positioned to offer fields of fire in five directions and a good line of sight for miles in all directions, was garrisoned in March 1862.
As the war progressed, and Winchester fell to one side or the other, so fell Star Fort, until it reached its historic pinnacle on June 13-15, 1863, at Second Winchester. SVBF literature says the battle resulted "in a complete rout of the Union division stationed at Winchester and elevated Southern hopes for a successful invasion of the North by [Gen. Robert E.] Lee’s army."
Although surrounded by development today, Star Fort and nearby Forts Milroy and Collier have survived, and Fort Collier is a popular tourist destination.
Several speakers gathered on Wednesday in the parking lot of the American Red Cross’s local chapter headquarters on Fortress Drive, just southwest of the fort site.
"This is a good day for Frederick County, for Winchester, and for the Civil War," said Nick Nerangis of the Middlesex Artillery. "Star Fort has been hiding, but it’s not going to hide any more."
He said the site has, on occasion, been cleared of brush, only to suffer damage by off-road enthusiasts and people who might not be aware of the history of the site.
Middlesex Artillery members Nick Nerangis (from right) and Robbie Rhodes, along with developer Byron Brill, participate in Wednesday’s stewardship ceremony at Star Fort near Winchester. Rhodes and Brill are standing in front of a map that shows plans for the Civil War site. A larger version of that map is seen above.
(Ginger Perry)
Kittell told of an incident in which an unidentified developer "brought in a bulldozer and just completely removed one of the original gun emplacements."
Irvin Hess, SVBF chairman, called the site "a silent sentinel" that his group intends to transform into a destination for education and tourism.
"The potential to enhance its awareness is superb," he said. "This is an icon of the Civil War, and this icon deserves to be made the best it can be."
Plans call for a circular walking trail around the fort, with a trail entering the main fort area.
Where the earthen embankments have been damaged, repairs will be made, if possible, but no attempt will be made to restore the ruins.
"As a rule, [complete restoration] is not encouraged, unless you possess really complete documentation," said Kittell.
Still, even a solid conservation effort of the historic site is the fulfillment of a long-time wish for many people.
"The preservation of Star Fort has been the dream of many people for as long as I can remember," said Richard C. Shickle Sr., chairman of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors.
Noting the level of progress and development surrounding the site, he said, "At the end of the day, there’s no reason this fort cannot be preserved."
Kittell offered no timeline for progress on the project, noting that funding is still a challenge.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the conservation project may do so at www.shenandoahatwar.org.