Each year, more than 170,000 Americans visit historic Wilderness Battlefield. They travel here to stand on authentic hallowed ground and understand the bloody sacrifice that transformed the Civil War. We believe Orange County has a duty to protect this historic, scenic and economic asset.
Unfortunately, Wal-Mart’s proposed site is entirely within the historic battlefield and immediately adjacent to the national park — which includes the southeast corner of the intersection of Routes 3 and 20. In fact, this is one of the park’s most historically significant and vulnerable areas.
Please visit PreservationNation.org/wilderness to view two short videos produced by the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition that explain how action at this site on the southeast corner of Routes 3 and 20 transformed the Civil War and American history.
If built, Wal-Mart would harm the battlefield, undermine the visitor’s experience of the national park, and inevitably open the door for more harmful development. Orange County and the nation deserve a better plan, and viable alternative sites are available.
Preservationists don’t oppose economic growth. Neither do Gov. Kaine, Speaker Howell and many thousands of Americans, who have all asked Wal-Mart to relocate to another Orange County site that won’t harm the battlefield or national park.
If Wal-Mart were to relocate its 240,000-square-foot development, Orange County would still benefit from Wal-Mart’s promised jobs, tax revenue and convenient shopping.
If you value heritage and support a win-win solution, please write Wal-Mart at VirginiaPublicAffairs@wal-mart.com. Ten thousand voices may move the corporate giant, but the time is now to speak up for our irreplaceable Civil War heritage. We hope Wal-Mart is listening.
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