By the Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association
For Immediate Release [August 18, 2008]

Contacts:
Edward E. Dunleavy (304) 876-7029
Michael L. Nickerson (304) 876-0740

Shepherdstown, WV –

The Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association Inc (SBPA) announced that the proceeds from its 4th Annual Benefit Concert, scheduled for September 19 at the Shepherdstown Train Station, will be shared with the Ellsworth Family Fund as well as helping to fund its battlefield preservation efforts.

“Friday, Sept. 19 marks the 146th anniversary of the start of the 1862 Battle of Shepherdstown”, said Ed Dunleavy, President of SBPA, “and it is fitting that this year’s concert is on the same day of the week as the start of the battle in 1862. More importantly, the SBPA Board voted to share the concert’s net proceeds equally with the Ellsworth Family Fund”. Mason Ellsworth the 18 year-old son of Sylvia and Brian Ellsworth was critically injured in an auto accident in June and will need significant medical treatment. “While SBPA’s expenses continue to mount” said Dunleavy, “our Board thought it important to help a Shepherdstown family in its time of need”.

“The concert will feature many local performers”, said Mike Nickerson who chaired the Concert Committee, “Todd Coyle, Andrea and Dave Hines, Don Oehser, Eddy Barney, Dave Lafleur, Arnold Smith, and The Rolling Coyotes will be performing”. Doors will open at 7:30PM and the music will begin at 8:00. There will be free food and, for a small donation, beverages will be available. “We ask for a $10 donation at the door”, said Nickerson, “and urge all local residents to help save a piece of our history and help a Shepherdstown family”.

SBPA’s goal is to save about ½ or 300 acres of the site of the Battle of Shepherdstown. This has proven difficult due to a proposed residential development of 152 houses on 122 acres in the core of the battlefield. Earlier this year, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals granted the developer the right to proceed. SBPA’s attorney will file an appeal with the United States Supreme Court next month.

The Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association Inc. (SBPA) is a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to saving and preserving the site of the 1862 Battle of Shepherdstown. The battle was fought on September 19-20, 1862 involving approximately 9,000 troops and resulted in 677 casualties. The battle was fought over an area about one square mile located south of Packhorse Ford and east of Shepherdstown, WV. SBPA has preserved 84 acres by way of conservation easements granted by members who own property on the site.

For more information see: www.battleofshepherdstown.org