Click here for a PDF file version of the park accomplishments for 2008.
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National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, Virginia
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Fredericksburg Chancellorsville The Wilderness
Spotsylvania Court House
Russ Smith, Superintendent
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120 Chatham Lane Fredericksburg, VA 22405
540-371-0802 phone
540-371-1907 fax
www.nps.gov/frsp
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Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania NMP
2008 Accomplishments
At a Glance
$3.8 million budget
65 permanent/term/seasonal staff
1,534,041 visits
1249 volunteers working 31,601 hours
$25,682,000 spent by non-local visitors in local
economies (2007)
$54,805 donated
National Park Service Centennial:
Hired 13 seasonal workers with Centennial funds.
$250,000 of Friends of Wilderness Battlefield funds and in-kind service were matched by $246,500 of Centennial Challenge funds for the restoration and interpretation of Warren’s Headquarters (Elwood) on Wilderness Battlefield.
Received $60,000 in Centennial Challenge funds to create a digital map of the Fredericksburg Battlefield.
Preserving History:
With the help of a dedicated team of volunteers, completed digitizing and indexing more than 500 volumes of obscure or unpublished primary source material.
Completed restoration work on three rooms at Warren’s Headquarters (Ellwood).
Supported the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust in their successful effort to acquire and sell historic Braehead with a protective easement.
Improving Visitor Experience:
Presented a wide variety of programs in support of the 145th Anniversaries of the battles of Fredericksburg (December ’07) and Chancellorsville (May ’08).
Commenced a project to develop six podcasts with associated online tours. This work is being done with the University of Virginia’s Center for Digital History.
Continued installing new wayside exhibits. More than 70 are now in place.
Working with Communities:
Signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Spotsylvania County regarding a proposed cell tower. The agreement contained mitigation measures for the park.
Participated in local Sesquicentennial plans with Spotsylvania County and Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg.
Provided major assistance to the Fredericksburg Area Museum in the development of the Civil War component of their new facility.
Supported with public presentations the major re-enactment sponsored by Spotsylvania County on the newly protected May 1, 1863 battlefield at Chancellorsville.
Engaged Spotsylvania County Schools in the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program, a highly successful experiment that energized the park and the teacher involved in the program.
Worked the City of Fredericksburg in developing its first Preservation Plan.
Caring for the Environment:
Had an Environmental Audit performed by a contractor, Prism, early in the fiscal year. Overall the park faired well.
Working Smarter:
Completed Core Operations Analysis. While no major savings were identified, it was a useful exercise in reassuring us that our efforts are focused on our core mission.
Began General Management Plan process.
The new General Foreman was instrumental in revitalizing the division safety program. New weekly tailgate safety sessions and monthly safety meetings are performed on a regular basis and the crew had no lost time incidents this year.
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