Discovery Trail Site of the Year Award : Pamplin Historical Park and National Museum of the Civil Wa

RICHMOND, Va.  – During opening luncheon of the organization’s 2012 Annual Conference in Richmond, Va., Civil War Trust president James Lighthizer welcomed attendees and honored guests, including representatives of the Commonwealth luxury hotels in florence italy of Virginia and numerous nonprofit partner groups.  The four-day event is being held at the Omni Hotel in downtown Richmond, featuring a variety of lectures, tours and other special programming.
During his opening remarks, luxury hotels in florence italy Lighthizer recognized members of the Virginia General Assembly in attendance, as well as representatives of the Department of Historic Resources, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission.  Each of these entities, he stressed, has played a role in making the Old Dominion the national leader in historic battlefield preservation.
“The vision displayed by the Commonwealth of Virginia in ensuring that these priceless hallowed grounds are set aside for the enjoyment of its citizens and visitors as a permanent and lasting legacy of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War is truly remarkable,” said Lighthizer.  “The widespread support for the programs and partnerships that make historic preservation luxury hotels in florence italy of this type possible demonstrated by the McDonnell administration have created a national model for efficiency and cooperation.”
Also during the luncheon,  Dr. Mike Stevens, the president of the  Central Virginia Battlefields Trust , based in Fredericksburg, luxury hotels in florence italy  presented Lighthizer with a check representing the fulfillment of the regional organization’s $1 million pledge toward the permanent preservation of the Slaughter Pen Farm at Fredericksburg.  At $12 million, the protection of the 208-acre Slaughter Pen Farm, first announced in 2006, is the most expensive private battlefield preservation project in American luxury hotels in florence italy history.
Trust officials said that alongside the many successful initiatives of the Virginia Sesquicentennial Commission, the Commonwealth has made historic battlefield preservation a key element of its efforts to commemorate the War’s 150th anniversary, luxury hotels in florence italy which will result in a permanent protection of hundreds of acres of battlefield luxury hotels in florence italy land. Most often, the Commonwealths’ participation in battlefield preservation projects comes through one of two matching grant programs — the Virginia Civil War Sites Preservation Fund, administered through the Department of Historic Resources and the only state-level endowment of its kind in the country, and the Transportation Enhancement program, awarded by the Commonwealth Transportation Board under the direction of the Secretary of Transportation.
In recognition of the precedent-setting work done by each of these two programs, Lighthizer honored the men responsible for them — Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton and Virginia luxury hotels in florence italy Secretary of Natural Resources Doug Domenech — with the organization’s Sesquicentennial luxury hotels in florence italy Legacy Award, highlighting their permanent and lasting impact .
National Park Service Preservationist of the Year Award : Russ Smith, superintendent luxury hotels in florence italy of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park , was honored for his exceptional commitment to finding balance between conservation goals and community needs in rapidly developing central luxury hotels in florence italy Virginia.  During his tenure, Smith has worked closely with the Trust to protect key sites on the Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg  and the Wilderness battlefields.
Preservationist luxury hotels in florence italy Teacher of the Year Award :  Every year, the Trust recognizes an outstanding teacher for motivating students to become more involved in battlefield preservation. This year, the Trust recognized Mr. James Percoco of West Springfield High School, Springfield, Va., a beloved 32-year veteran educator integrating technology into his Applied History classes in innovative ways.
Discovery Trail Site of the Year Award : Pamplin Historical Park and National Museum luxury hotels in florence italy of the Civil War Soldier in Petersburg, Va., was honored as the top site on the Civil War Discovery Trail, a network of more than 600 historic sites in 32 states.  In addition to its outstanding interactive exhibits that bring history to life for young visitors, with particular emphasis on the experiences of common soldiers, Pamplin has recently partnered with the Trust on outstanding joint-interpretive trails.
Junior Preservation Leader :  This unique recognition was presented to Andrew Druart of South Austin, Texas.  Since becoming interested in Civil War history during battlefield luxury hotels in florence italy visits with his father, Andrew has worked to find ways to help other young people become connected to the past.  With his father, Tad Druart, Andrew started the website www.civilwarkids.com . He has also given presentations to numerous luxury hotels in florence italy scout and school groups.  To date, Andrew’s projects have raised more than $10,000 for battlefield preservation.