Hello Battlefield Members and Supporters,
We have several important items to present. Firstly, we’d like to sincerely thank the long-term commitment of outgoing Officer Ms. Cindy Feeser and departing Board of Director Ms. Pam Underhill. Your contributions have been essential over the last couple of years, and we thank you for your volunteer efforts on behalf of the battlefield.
We are excited to announce that Dr. Tom McGrath will be joining the SBPA Board of Directors. We know Tom well as a Professor and Author, as well as a long-time battlefield supporter and educator. His bio is below. He has already agreed to lead a tour on April 26 Park Day and present a talk that evening at 7 pm at the Opera House. Both are focused on the movements of the Confederate (AP Hill) Pender’s Brigade during the Battle of Shepherdstown. I am really looking forward to both the tour and talk as this subject area has not previously been presented in a formal, public manner. Welcome Dr. McGrath.
We have a new Secretary, Ms. Stephanie Unger, a long-time educator at the Shepherdstown Middle School. Her bio is below. She is a committed battlefield supporter who lives off Trough Road in the core of the battlefield. She is looking forward to working with our membership to catalyze volunteer activities, fundraising and dispersing new educational information.
Thirdly, we have a new Treasurer, Ms. Elizabeth Nicholson of the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission. Her bio is below. As you can see, she is a valuable addition to our staff with extensive expertise in items that are directly relevant to the battlefield at this time. As HLC member, she has already agreed to lead the Cement Mill work group during Park Day on April 26. She is also spearheading a Graffiti Removal Workshop at the Cement Mill structures on Saturday, May 17. So, she is quite committed to our cause already. Her position on the HLC allows the SBPA to further develop ties to one of our primary partners in battlefield preservation and development. As SBPA Treasurer, she can help distribute the rental income from the Osbourn Farm (~$30k annually) in agreement with our organizations’ common goals.
Lastly, one of my most enjoyable activities each year occurs in January. I work with the ABT, Jefferson County Farmland Protection Board and the JC Historic Landmarks Commission to tabulate the acres of core battlefield that have been protected. As each organization has their own accounting and presentation methods, this is more challenging than might be thought. We just completed this January’s exercise with key input from Kathy Robertson, ABT, and Jason Adams, Jefferson County Farmland Protection Board.
The grand total for January 2025 is: 1,066 acres. I have been hoping for years that we’d see our efforts going over 1,000 acres protected and NEVER expected it this soon. We have the momentum and are actually establishing a new battlefield! A huge congratulations to SBPA members and battlefield supporters.
Thanks to all the SBPA members and battlefield supporters for your continued commitment to preserving the Shepherdstown Battlefield. The new officers and Board member provide us with an improved tool set of skills and expertise as we move forward with the exciting events already planned for 2025. Please welcome our new Officers and Board member.
Regards,
Mike Nickerson, Ph.D.
President
Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association
Dr. McGrath Bio for the Board of Directors
Born and raised near Boston, Dr. Tom McGrath received his Bachelors Degree in History from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He has a Masters in Civil War Studies from American Military University and a Ph.D. in History from the State University of New York at Albany.
He is the author of Shepherdstown: Last Clash of the Antietam Campaign, September 19-20, 1862. He has written numerous articles for a variety of publications including “Gettysburg Magazine” and “Blue and Gray.” Tom served as Chief Historian for the National Park Service’s Special Resource Study of the Shepherdstown Battlefield. He is currently Associate Professor of History and Humanities at North Country Community College in Ticonderoga, NY.
Stephanie Unger Bio for Secretary
This year marks my 25th year of teaching at Shepherdstown Elementary and Middle Schools, currently teaching 8th grade WV History. I have been enjoying my 3rd year on the board of Historic Shepherdstown where I am the Marketing chair and on the Archives, Museum, and Events committees. For 10 years I co-owned Earth Vibe Productions and Events helping to put on community events including The Panhandle Earth Day Celebration at Morgans Grove Park. I am a mother of 2 grown children and grandmother of 3 rambunctious grandchildren. I currently live on Trough Road and have enjoyed taking part in the preservation of the Battle of Shepherdstown as well as volunteering for the various activities they sponsor in our community. I look forward to continuing my commitment to the SBPA as your secretary.
Elizabeth Nicholson Bio for the Treasurer
Elizabeth Nicholson is a preservationist and museum professional dedicated to safeguarding historic sites and engaging communities in heritage conservation. With a BA in history from SUNY New Paltz and a Master of Design Studies in Historic Preservation in progress at Boston Architectural College, she has worked extensively in collections management, monument conservation, and historic site stewardship. Through roles with the National Park Service, local historic commissions, and museums, Elizabeth has developed expertise in preservation treatments, grant writing, public programming, and community outreach. As an AmeriCorps member with the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, she continues to advocate for the protection and appreciation of local history.