In recognition of the 160^th Anniversary of the Battle of Shepherdstown on June 19 and 20, 2022, an article about SBPA efforts to preserve the Far Away Farm has been published in the October issue of the WV Independent Observer (wearetheobserver.com). 

Click for the article with photos.

Observer editor Steve Pearson visited the SBPA battlefield information table in town on June 20 to hear about our work with local and national partners to preserve battlefield properties. 

The fund-raising efforts to preserve Far Away Farm depend upon your contribution. Please consider a Far Away Farm preservation donation to the SBPA or American Battlefield Trust

A Battle of Shepherdstown information table and FAF fund-raising effort will be set up by the SBPA in front of the old library building in the town center on September 19 and 20 from 4 – 7 pm.

Stop by to hear the latest exciting news about battlefield preservation efforts!

A tour of the Shepherdstown Battlefield was conducted by SBPA Director Kevin Pawlak for members of the Antietam Institute on Saturday, September 10, 2022.

He first described the Union artillery position at Ferry Hill, off Rt. 34. Then Pawlak described the heavy fighting and Union casualties at the Cement Mill kilns and dam. Finally, at the Far Away Farm, he presented A.P. Hill’s Confederates drive across the Farm to drive Union troops back across the Potomac River to Maryland late in the afternoon on September 20, 1862.

Kevin Pawlak is a Historic Site Manager for the Prince William County Historic Preservation Division and is a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Antietam National Battlefield, as well as guiding tours of the Battle of Shepherdstown.

Mowing of the Battlefield Park along the Potomac River is planned by SBPA members ahead of the 160th Anniversary of the Battle on September 19-20, 2022. What an auspicious time to be raising funds to permanently secure the Far Away Farm in the core of the battlefield.

A Shepherdstown Battlefield Tour will be given by SBPA Director Kevin Pawlak on September 10, 2022 for members of the Antietam Institute.

Email [email protected] for more information.

On a sunny Saturday June 25, 2022, members of the Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association (SBPA) participated in the Shepherdstown Streetfest. We presented our fundraising effort to assist with the purchase of the Far Away Farm, battlefield maps, the FAF survey blueprint, and a report on the June 9 SBPA meeting. We had material from the American Battlefield Trust, National Parks Service, Land Trust of the Eastern Panhandle and the Farmland Protection Board. We sold the shirts, haversacks and books and need to re-stock the merchandise.

It was an eventful day discussing the battle and our preservation efforts with hundreds of Streetfest attendees that included many friends and neighbors. Special thanks go to Cindy Jo Feeser, SBPA Streetfest event manager; Sara Smith, pamphlet labeler extraordinaire; and Jim Broomall, Director of the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War. Additional thanks to Rosemary Nickerson, Steve Alemar, Josh Alemar, Andy Feeser, Stephanie Unger, Sharon Capriotti, John Doyle, J.T. Moore, and others. The bake sale was successful at attracting donations, and Cindy Feeser, SBPA Treasurer, was able to deposit $8,600 from the bake sale, donations and checks in the mail to the SBPA and FAF accounts. President Mike Nickerson received a verbal commitment for another $5,000 to the FAF Fund. Most importantly, we met many, many people who are very interested in the battle and our preservation efforts.

– Dr. Mike Nickerson, SBPA President

SBPA members Sara Smith and Cindy Feeser setting up the booth in the morning.

Our first customer!

Later in the day we were in the shade which was very nice.

A beautiful view down the hill into town from our site!

At our June 9, 2022 meeting with partner organizations battlefield supporters joined Dr Mike Nickerson, SBPA President, in welcoming author Tom Pawlak; Tom Moore and Kathy Robertson from American Battlefield Trust; Martin Burke, Director, Historic Landmarks Commission; Elizabeth Wheeler from the Farmland Protection Board; and Susan Trail, Superintendent, Antietam National Battlefield.

Download the article with photos