Trust Raising $145,700 For Appomattox Acreage

Originally published March 2016 · p. 17

WASHINGTON — When $147,500 in donations is raised to buy three properties totaling 202 acres, the Civil War Trust will have “very nearly completed the preservation of the Appomattox Battlefield,” according to President James Lighthizer. The largest property, 200 acres, was destined to be a 97-house subdivision when it went into decadelong litigation over ownership. “Numerous accounts, both Federal and Confederate, describe the stillintense fighting in that area of the battlefield, even while truce flags were circulating along other portions of the lines,” Lighthizer said. He told members said the tract’s price in 2004 was $600,000. Today it is $850,000, plus $50,000 needed to stabilize the Morton House which survived the April 9, 1865, battle on the property. Counting funds Trust members already donated, anticipated state and federal grant funds, and a donation from the HTR Foundation the Trust has to raise only the $50,000 to stabilize the house. The Trust is also buying two oneacre tracts at a cost of $275,000. Federal and state matching grants reduce the Trust’s share to be raised to $97,500. Non-historic houses on each will be removed to allow restoration of the land. Donations may be made at www.civilwar.org or mailed to PO Box 17686, Baltimore, MD 21298-8333. Battle photos, history and a map are on the website.