The Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) has awarded a $195,925 grant to the Friends of Wilderness Battlefield (FOWB) to support the purchase, preservation, and interpretation of a significant portion of the 1863 Mine Run Battlefield, known as the Randolph Artillery Tract, in Orange County.

The grant marks a major step toward protecting an important chapter of Orange County’s Civil War history. The Randolph Artillery Tract played a key role in the Battle of Payne’s Farm, part of the larger Mine Run Campaign fought in November 1863.

“FOWB wishes to acknowledge the tremendous support received from VDHR personnel and is profoundly grateful for their guidance as we move forward in the preservation and interpretation of this important piece of Orange County’s Civil War history,” said FOWB President Bob Lookabill.

The site also holds historical significance beyond the Civil War era, with ties to both earlier and later periods of local development. FOWB plans to complete the preservation and interpretive work by 2026 and will seek community support and partnerships as those efforts progress.

In addition to battlefield preservation, the property’s protection contributes to open-space conservation, recreation, and wildlife habitat—an outcome that aligns with Orange County’s broader goals for heritage tourism and land stewardship.

“Preserving sites like the Randolph Artillery Tract allows us to tell a more complete story of the people, places, and events that shaped this region,” Lookabill said. “It’s about honoring history while ensuring future generations have space to learn and reflect.”

The Friends of Wilderness Battlefield is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and interpreting the natural and historic resources within the Wilderness area of Spotsylvania and Orange counties.
For more information or to learn how to get involved, visit www.fowb.org.

Jen Bailey

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