The legislation that would create the Journey Through Hallowed Ground and establish the Route 15 corridor as a National Heritage Area crossed its first major obstacle Wednesday. On March 7, the bill was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee, its last stop before coming before the full House of Representatives.
"This is a positive first step in helping to promote perhaps the most historically significant area in the country," Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10) said. "America's history can literally be traced along this corridor."
Wolf and former Sen. George Allen (R) introduced the legislation last April, but it was not enacted before Congress adjourned in December. If approved, the measure would give the Route 15 corridor a federal honorary designation, acknowledging historical importance of the area.
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground is a 175-mile stretch of highway from Gettysburg, Pa., to Charlottesville, Va. The area includes eight presidential homes and numerous Civil War, Revolutionary War and War of 1812 historic sites. There are 23 sites in Loudoun County, including Ball's Bluff Battlefield, Oatlands and the Mount Zion Old School Baptist Church.
When Wolf testified before the committee in September, he said the designation of the corridor as a National Heritage Area "will create a partnership between the federal, state and local governments as well as local business and civic organizations to commemorate, conserve and promote the history and resources along the corridor."
WHILE THE legislation is being taken up at the federal level, there has been no support from the Board of Supervisors. While other local governments along the corridor have passed resolutions supporting The Journey Through Hallowed Ground, the Loudoun board has not.
At their Feb. 7, 2006, business meeting, Supervisors voted 4-4-1 against supporting the program. Supervisors Scott K. York (I-At large), Lori Waters (R-Broad Run), Jim Burton (I-Blue Ridge) and Sally Kurtz (D-Catoctin) voted in favor of the program and Supervisors Bruce E. Tulloch (R-Potomac) was absent for the vote.
Although the issue has not be reconsidered by the board, Cate Magennis Wyatt, president of The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership, said she hopes the board will decide to support the project.
"The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is the only county or local government in 175 miles that has not taken this up in public forum," she said. "We would invite the board to take a look at this again."