Third Quarter Newsletter July 1st - September 30th, 2026
- Jul 1
- 9 min read
Proposed Transmission Line Corridor Named One of Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places
Nominated to Preservation Virginia’s Annual List by Ten Conservation and Preservation Organizations
Please see the article from the Piedmont Environmental Council for details.
On Tuesday, May 19, FOWB President Bob Lookabill and FOWB Vice President Beth Stenstrom, attended a Press Conference hosted at the historic Germanna Foundation, in the Hitt Archeology Center. Numerous media outlets were invited.
An exciting announcement was made in that Preservation Virginia has named the nine-county corridor that the proposed 765 kilowatt transmission line project (also known as Joshua Falls-Yeats) to its list of Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places for 2026. The nomination was made by the Piedmont Environmental Council and the American Battlefield Trust, with eight other partners, including Friends of Wilderness Battlefield. Other partners included Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, Central Virginia Land Conservancy, Fluvanna Historical Society, Friends of Buckingham, Historic Germanna, Preservation Piedmont, and Scenic Virginia. The partners convened a press conference at Historic Germanna to share the news of designation and to outline the many historic resources at risk.
Looking at the proposed routes, this transmission line would very likely impact the viewshed of the Payne’s Farm Battlefield, including the property FOWB owns.
Please note that the proposed lines have been changed several times, so watch for the latest proposals.
Scholarship News 2026
Bob Lookabill, FOWB President
FOWB/LOW CWSG Joint Scholarship
On May 16th, at Orange County High School Senior Night, Friends of Wilderness Battlefield (FOWB) and Lake of the Woods Civil War Study Group (LOW CWSG) awarded their first ever joint academic scholarship to Jamie Painter of Orange County, Virginia. The $2,500 joint scholarship was offered to students at Orange County High School who are planning to further their education in the general field of history. That would include historic preservation, archaeology, teaching, or any other related field. Our joint scholarship committee will look at broadening the field of applicants next year. There may be other tweaks to the procedure now that we have successfully awarded our initial joint grant.
Jamie was educated in the Orange County public school system. He participated in student government, was a member of the Blue Ridge Virginia Governor’s School, taught younger kids’ art in summer classes and was an assistant director with the OCHS Drama Club.
This was the fifth year that FoWB has awarded a scholarship. They had presented four scholarships previously on their own and joined with LOW CWSG to be able to offer a more substantial amount of money.
FOWB/LOW CWSG wishes Jamie every success in his future studies.
Park Day
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Payne's Farm
Kevin Hunt, Battlefield Resource Chair
On Saturday, April 25, around 20 volunteers gathered to clean up Payne's Farm in Locust Grove, VA. Some volunteers picked up trash along the Zoar Road, while others focused on the old irrigation lines that used to be part of Meadows Farms Nursery many years ago.
It was hard work hauling all that trash out of the woods, but our volunteers did it with smiles and laughter! Thank you to everyone who came out to assist!
It took several pickup truck loads to get rid of all the trash our volunteers picked up! Photo by Beth Stenstrom
Master Naturalist News at Payne's Farm
by Maureen Hamm
Friends of the Wilderness Battlefield hosted six members of the Central Rappahannock Master Naturalist and the Fredericksburg Birding Club who conducted a bird survey at Paynes Farm on May 4, 2026. A total of thirty species were seen including year-round and summer residents as well as species passing through on their migration. Seventy individual species were observed. Six species of warblers were sighted, notably the Black-Throated Blue and Black-Throated Green that travel further north for nesting. The edge of the woods next to the field proved most lucrative for warblers, vireos and Indigo Buntings. As we entered the woodland we were serenaded with the songs of Ovenbirds, Wood Thrush, and Yellow-Billed Cuckoos among others. A full list of the birds can be seen on Ebird.org Go to Explore, type in Orange, Virginia, then look for May 4, 2026, Paynes Farm.
Excelsior Brigade Tract Updates!
Beth Stenstrom, FOWB Vice-President
Anytime owners relocate from one residence to another; there is always left over paper and trash to be cleaned up after the move. On May 1, volunteers came together to sweep, vacuum, and clean the house we acquired in late February. We moved some items to the front porch in order to clean the floors, and we are happy that we will be able to reuse several of them! They just need a little sanding and a little paint...
Since we closed on the property, we have had the termite Inspector out to inspect for termites and have treated the house for same. We have received two bids to add gravel to the driveway (DHR said no grading), and also to add a gate, and we have had two plumbing companies out to give us a bid on installing a hose bib outside of the house. We have had a contractor come out to give us a bid on repairing the gutters on the front and back of the house. We have removed one of the old sheds and still have another one to take down. We have hosted an Open House for FOWB members, and plan to host more Open Houses for other local preservation organizations as soon as we are far enough along to do it safely. (FOWB members were carefully treated to the "before restoration" view of the house.) Board member Joe Lafleur has recreated "Sarah Jane's Garden". We think she would be delighted!
We have met with experts in the field of historic log cabins and historic properties, all of whom have been thrilled with our acquisition and are delighted that we are preserving it. Please see the article by Bob Lookabill for their findings!
One of our wonderful couple volunteers, Joe and Joanne Pino, has graciously donated some very nice antiques for the house. There is a spinning wheel, a hall tree, a sofa table, a small potbellied cast iron stove, two framed portraits, and an antique wash bowl and pitcher. Thank you, Joe and Joanne, for these wonderful gifts. The house is beginning to look like a home again! FOWB will move our conference table, bookshelves, books, and other items in at a later date. We have a lot to do before we can start setting up our library, and home base.
The Morris House Through the Eyes of Experts
Bob Lookabill, FOWB President
Since Friends of Wilderness Battlefield (FOWB) acquired the Excelsior Brigade Tract (42.3 acres) in February of 2026, the focus had been on the property, first with an assessment and then a survey. Now that FOWB board members have explored the entire property, the emphasis has shifted to the house, particularly an assessment of the structure and what remediation needs to be done to ensure that the house is stable and in good condition to provide another 200 years of history and interpretation for future generations. FOWB has been fortunate to have several subject matter experts visit the property and give us hands-on recommendations and perspective going forward.
The first experts to come out were Elizabeth Lipford and Brad Edwards from the Department of Historic Resources in Richmond, VA. Next, we had visits from Dr. Eric Larsen, retired Chief Archaeologist at Germanna Foundation, and Craig Jacobs, owner of Salvage Wrights, the log cabin expert in Orange County. Then, Michael Spencer, Associate Professor in the Archaeology Department at Mary Washington University, spent a lovely morning at the house, and has provided an excellent report for us. We even had the pleasure of showing Jerrilyn McGregor, Stafford County Historian, the house, which she thoroughly enjoyed!
Each of the experts was genuinely amazed with the building. While FOWB has a copy of an insurance document dating construction of the cabin to 1824, it is the expert opinions from these experts that has allowed us to be confident in the date as the most accurate based on construction evidence. From the chimney to the mantel, to the boards and trim, the experts agreed that 1824 is very close to the date of construction if not "the" date. Words used to describe the house have ranged from a “jewel” to a “treasure.”
One of the unique features of the house, as explained by Professor Spencer in his write up of the property, is the “squaring of the logs is notable as it differentiates the building from more rudimentary log cabins where the logs are left in the round.” He goes on to say that, “Both (downstairs) rooms exhibit exposed joists with beaded edges indicating that they were meant to be seen. Along with the mantel and intact window casings, such small details and stylistic refinement to the building distinguish it from other more vernacular log buildings.”
From this small sample of comments, it is safe to say FOWB has a historic structure to share with the public. However, a lot of work will need to be done before it is ready to open for visitors. Assessment and stabilization of the logs, re-grading and drainage control around the house as well as upgrading electric and plumbing to ensure safety is paramount. These necessary requirements will take some money! FOWB has not reached out to the public for funds, yet, as we want to carefully assess the needs and design a plan for preservation, restoration, rehabilitation and reconstruction where necessary. Once the plan is complete, we will reach out and we hope you will help support us going forward as we work to make this property something we can all be proud of now and for future generations.
Ground Force Volunteers Needed!!!!!
Now that we own 42.3 acres of hallowed ground, we need volunteers to help us maintain it. Primary responsibilities include mowing and trimming around the house and up and down the 1/2 mile driveway, plus tending to “Sarah Jane’s Garden”, in the spring and summer. We also need to ensure that our cemetery remains in good condition and is well cared for and respected.
Please note that we also take care of a small section of the Payne’s Farm Battlefield, as well as a different property that we steward for the State of Virginia. Volunteers need to be able to bring their own equipment until we can purchase a riding mower and other items we will need. Donations of lawn care items are welcome.
When? To be determined depending on availability. We used to meet at 7:00 AM on Thursday mornings when we were maintaining a different property and that seemed to work well.
Contact our Battlefield Resource Committee Chair, Kevin Hunt, at hockeyminga@aol.com
to let him know you are interested. You may also contact Joe Lafleur, at joedelta1968@gmail.com, who is primarily responsible for lawn maintenance at this time.
Missing a Branch!!
Who was William Ambler Morris's Mother?
William Ambler Morris was born 18 June 1828, in Orange Co, VA. He is the son of James Lewis Morris, born in 1792 in Orange Co, VA. James Lewis Morris married Levenia Battaile 23 May 1836, making her William's stepmother. William married Sarah Jane Mason on 8 April 1852, and William and Sarah Jane owned this property during the American Civil War. We have been searching high and low to figure out who William's biological mother was without any luck. Anyone have any clues? We would love to find out and fill out that branch of the family tree!
Did You Know?
Making gifts to FOWB during your lifetime:
When you make a gift to Friends of Wilderness Battlefield as a QCD (qualified charitable distribution) from your individual retirement account (IRA) or Roth IRA, you do not pay income taxes on the distribution. Funds gifted from your IRA will NOT subject your Social Security income to higher tax levels and will count toward your annual required minimum distribution (RMD). If you are 73 or older, you can make a gift in 2026 from your IRA up to $105,000 per IRA owner or beneficiary. Contact your tax advisor to determine if this is appropriate for your situation.
Making gifts to FOWB at your death:
Would you like to leave a legacy to Friends of Wilderness Battlefield? A gift through your will, trust, a direct beneficiary designation, or estate is the easiest gift you can make today. You may add a provision in your will or trust designating either a specific amount, a percentage, or all or part of the residue of your estate to FOWB. Bequests provide flexibility in that they allow you to make a gift commitment now by including a provision in your will or trust while preserving the right to make changes at any time in the future should your circumstances change. Certain bequests in trust are not subject to estate taxation. Your assets remain in your control during your lifetime. You can modify your gift to address changing circumstances. It’s a great way to help support the mission of Friends of Wilderness Battlefield.
FoWB, Inc. is 501 (c) (3) Not for Profit Organization.
Tax ID # 42-1689437
Friends of Wilderness Battlefield | P.O. Box 576 | Locust Grove, VA 22508 US
