WalMart vs. Preservationists at Civil War Site

In Orange County, Virginia, a battle is heating up at the site of the civil war's Battle of the Wilderness. The Board of Supervisors has approved a WalMart nearby, but preservationists are challenging the decision in court.

1 minute read

April 21, 2010, 9:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur


The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the American Battlefield Protection Program, Virginia senators Mark Warner (D) and Jim Webb (D), then-Gov. Tim Kaine (D), the speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, William J. Howell (R), and 250 historians voiced their opposition to the plan but the Board of Supervisors still approved the WalMart proposal 4-1.

Christopher Shea writes, "...the battle over a Wilderness Walmart spotlights a fundamental concern: How should land adjacent to crucial historic sites be treated? No one thinks the proposed construction area should become a national park-there is no federal money to buy it, in any case-but surely middle ground exists between that and a supermall? "We have to get out of the zookeeper mentality," says the Park Service's [Russ] Smith, "where we cage certain areas and forget about whatever happens outside that cage.""

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 in Preservation Magazine

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

New York City subway train on elevated track in yellow light.

Aging NYC Subway Cars No Match for Extreme Heat

The MTA receives thousands of complaints about broken air conditioning on subway cars each summer.

3 hours ago - Gothamist

Google street view of wide street in Cleveland, Ohio with blue 55th Street sign and red brick three-story building visible in right corner.

Cleveland to Boost Bike Safety With New Bike Lanes, School Programs

The program, using curriculum created by Cleveland Bikes, is part of a broader effort to improve safety along school routes.

4 hours ago - Signal Cleveland

Aerial view of heavily damaged mobile homes after a hurricane in Florida.

Florida Home Insurers Disproportionately Dropping Low-Income Households

Non-renewal rates are highest in inland counties, not the coastal areas most immediately vulnerable to storms.

5 hours ago - Inside Climate News

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA