Region Recognized As A National Heritage Area

I’m the first to admit that part of the reason I enjoy living in Northern Virginia is because I enjoy the fact that the region is filled with history. I find it fascinating that I can drive a literally just a few minutes in one direction and I’m at the site of the first major land battle in the American Civil War and few minutes in another and I’m in our nation’s capital. Slightly longer trips will of course bring me to other historical sites.

Although many of these sites were already recognized in one form or another, the Federal government is now recognizing the entire region for its heritage. President Bush “signed the measure sponsored by Virginia’s Senators Jim Webb and John Warner to designate a 175-mile corridor along U.S. Route 15 in Northern and Central Virginia as a National Heritage Area into law.” Although most of the sites recognized in the Act are from Virginia, there are also some sites from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia included in what is now one of 38 regions to receive such a designation by Congress.

The region designated by the “Journey through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area Act” is home to some of the nation’s most notable and historic landmarks, including Monticello, Montpelier, Manassas and Gettysburg. The area also encompasses eight presidential homes or sites, 15 National Historic Landmarks, 47 historic districts and the largest collection of Revolutionary War sites and Civil War battlefields in America.

“I am pleased that this area of Virginia—so rich in culture and history—has earned this federal designation,” said Senator Webb. “This designation will help preserve this historic region for future generations of Americans to enjoy and will promote heritage tourism throughout Virginia.”

“The Journey through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area represents the combined efforts of numerous Virginia communities, businesses and citizens to honor our nation’s heritage,” continued Webb. “I would like to especially thank my colleague, Senator Warner, whose leadership helped to champion this legislation through Congress and to the President’s desk.”

I think that having the region recognized as a national heritage area serves as a reminder to everyone that our nation’s capital is not the only historical site that the region has to offer. This recognition ensures that people living in this area for generations to come will also be able to learn from all the history that surrounds them. I know being surrounded by so many historical sites has allowed me to further understand our country’s history, and I’m confident that it will help future generations as well.

UPDATE: This builds upon a post I wrote about a year ago.

Over 60 miles of U.S. Route 15 in Virginia have been declared “an official Virginia Byway by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB)” and are part of a four state route called “Journey Through Hollowed Ground.”

This just goes to show how local, state, and federal agencies are coming together in order to make the “Journey through Hollowed Ground” project truly successful.