South Mountain Battlefield
Civil War, Western Maryland Comprehensive Approach to Preservation, Archaeology, Branding & Interpretation
Preservation Maryland has worked for several years toward improving the preservation, interpretation, and understanding of the unique, mountainous South Mountain Battlefield in Western Maryland. That has included the completion of the first in-depth study and public consensus plan for the future preservation and interpretation of the battlefield released in 2019.
Then Preservation Maryland partnered with the Maryland State Highway Administration to launch an in-depth archaeological study of Crampton and Fox’s gGp on the battlefield – with the results of that study to be published in early 2021. Additionally, the organization supported the stabilization of the Shafer Farm, the battlefield headquarters at Crampton’s Gap of Union General William B. Franklin, and advocated for a $100,000 grant to support the rehabilitation of the site.
With the continued support of the American Battlefield Protection Program, Preservation Maryland will now lead a re-branding effort for the battlefield, one of the key recommendations, to visually define the area and confusing terrain as a historic battlefield and to help orient visitors and create a seamless visitor experience.
View from Washington Monument at South Mountain Battlefield. Photo by MD Gov Pics on Flickr.
Historic illustration of the fighting at South Mountain.
Shafer Farm, 2016.
Archaeological investigations at South Mountain Battlefield, October 2019.
Can we count on you?
Preservation Maryland isn’t just preserving the past – we’re investing in our future. In just the past year we’ve invested heavily in our work and refused to accept the mounting challenges as a reason to retreat or hold our position. You are making it all possible.