In 1996, Congress designated eight counties in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia as a National Heritage Area – the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District – which preserves and interprets the region’s significant Civil War battlefields and related historic sites.

Virtual Event: During and after the Civil War, Confederate widows navigated the emotional and political act of mourning. Told through diaries, letters, scrapbooks, and published accounts, hear their largely unheard stories as some advocated for the Lost Cause, while others critiqued the Confederacy for the loss of their loved ones.

To Visit By Car:

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park is near the junction of Interstates 81 and 66 in the northern Shenandoah Valley. The historic Valley Pike (U.S. Route 11) runs through the park. The towns of Strasburg and Middletown are adjacent to the park.

From the North

Take I-81 exit 302 and then head south on US-11 to Middletown Courts Plaza on the left. If you meet the only traffic light in Middletown, you have gone too far.

From the South

Take I-81 exit 298 and then go north on US-11. Middletown Courts Plaza is on the right, just past the only traffic light in Middletown.

From the East & Washington, D.C. Area

Take I-66 West to I-81 North and then exit 302 to Middletown. Go south on US-11.

The Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation (CCBF), an entirely private 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1988, is a unique, largely volunteer-operated organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the landscape, artifacts, and writings of the 1864 Battle of Cedar Creek. Today, CCBF continues to be an active Key Partner in the management of the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park.

The landscape of the Cedar Creek Battlefield is constantly threatened by Northern Virginia’s rapid development. Since its formation, CCBF alone has preserved over 350 acres of central battlegrounds, including the Federal XIX Corps Earthworks, a section of the Federal VI Corps position along the Meadow Brook, and the centrally located Heater House. The Heater House, nestled in a hillside just south of Middletown, is the last remaining structure of the original 18th-century homestead that witnessed the Battle of Cedar Creek and over 200 years of Shenandoah Valley history.

CCBF strives to bring the October 19th, 1864, Battle of Cedar Creek to life through museum exhibits, guided and self-guided tours, outdoor trails, and lessons by costumed interpreters during special weekend programs. In addition, lectures, presentations, book signings, and hands-on workshops are scheduled throughout the year to share the diverse stories and rich history of the Shenandoah Valley, life during the mid-19th century, and more. As a private organization, CCBF receives no state or federal funding and relies on the generosity of our members, public contributions, gift shop, event proceeds, and grants to continue our mission of preservation and education.

Mission Statement

The Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation acquires, protects, preserves, and interprets the lands, physical objects, and writings relating to the October 19th, 1864, Battle of Cedar Creek for the educational benefit of scholars, the general public, and future generations.

Civil War history lives at Virginia Tech. From its home in Virginia Tech’s History Department, the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies promotes greater understanding of the Civil War era among academics and the public. Whether you’re a student or a professional historian, a serious history buff or someone who just likes to learn, we have something to offer you.

First announced in March of 1999, the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies is a legacy of Virginia Tech’s Dr. James I. “Bud” Robertson. Prior to arriving at Virginia Tech, Dr. Robertson was already widely recognized, as he had worked with Presidents Kennedy and Johnson as the Executive Director of the Civil War Centennial Commission. He arrived at Virginia Tech in 1967, where his Civil War history class attracted students from a variety of fields. Inspired by Dr. Robertson’s success, Virginia Tech decided to establish a Civil War Center dedicated to education and book and document preservation. The Center also continued programs which Dr. Robertson had established long before, including the annual “Civil War Weekend” conference.

The Center is part of Virginia Tech’s history department, housed in Major Williams Hall.

In 2000, William C. “Jack” Davis came to Virginia Tech to serve as the Center’s Director of Programs. Together, they expanded the Center’s offerings to include a great range of programs, including lectures, digital learning projects, book series, documentaries, and graduate scholarships. After Dr. Robertson retired in 2011, Davis led the center until his own retirement in 2013. Today, the Center is run by Dr. Paul Quigley. Under his direction, it continues to provide scholarships and fellowships and sponsors a variety of public and academic programs throughout the year.

Our scholarship and fellowship programs are shaping the future of Civil War history, attracting talented MA students, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers to Virginia Tech. The center also sponsors international conferences on cutting-edge themes such as citizenship and postwar reconciliation.

We bring the best of Civil War history to public audiences in Blacksburg and beyond. The popular Civil War Film Series screens movies old and new, providing opportunities to discuss their historical contexts with expert speakers. Our annual Civil War Weekend attracts alumni and other history lovers to Blacksburg to hear from some of the best Civil War speakers around. And lectures throughout the year explore Civil War history in its many dimensions, from military history to the war’s international impact, from women’s experiences during the war to the lasting legacies of Reconstruction. Please visit our  Telephone: (540) 231-9090
Contact Email: pquigley@vt.edu