 |
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
TOURISM - May 2004
The Battle of Richmond has two distinct highlights: It was the second largest Civil War battle in Kentucky, and it was one of the most decisive and complete Confederate victories of the entire Civil War. One of the Madison Countians who did not want that heritage lost was Charles Hay of the Madison County Historical Society. “Charles first came to see me about six or seven years ago,” recalls Madison County Judge Executive Kent Clark. “He was adamant about doing something to preserve the history of the battle and the land where it was fought.” Clark also was interested, but pointed out the county’s fiscal court had no funds to support any such effort. Then, in the fall of 2001, the unthinkable happened. A 177-year-old farmhouse and 62 acres surrounding it were to be sold at auction. The property was in the middle of Phase I of the Battle of Richmond and the house had been used as a field hospital. Hay and Robert Moody, former Richmond city attorney, contacted Rob Rumpke, executive director of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and a Battle of Richmond Association (BORA) was formed. The Richmond Chamber, the county historical society and Civil War Roundtable, the Bluegrass Army Depot and Richmond Tourism quickly became partners in the association. Ultimately, the house and land were purchased at auction for more than $600,000. BORA turned the property over to the Madison County Fiscal Court for development as a Civil War park and agreed to serve as interpreter for all property and resources associated with the Battle of Richmond. In turn, Clark enlisted the aid of state legislators and brought home some $500,000 from the Kentucky Department of Transportation to help develop the property into Battlefield Park. Other support and grants followed and then U.S. Rep. Ernie Fletcher and U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning assisted in reducing government red tape so the Army Depot could donate a building that will serve as a Battle of Richmond visitor’s center and museum. In January, BORA, Clark and the fiscal court created a monumental first in Civil War battlefield preservation when an agreement was signed to purchase some 200 acres of developed land upon which the Battle of Richmond was fought. The purchase of nearly 207 acres just south of Richmond included an 18-hole golf course. Rumpke, who also is executive director of BORA, noted that “we’ve probably had more partners in this project than any others in which I’ve been involved.” Three years ago, Clark and the fiscal court initiated discussions about a park system for Madison County. The court ordered a study that resulted in overwhelmingly positive feedback. Grants and other funds led to a five-park plan with Battlefield Park now as one of the crown jewels of the system. The fiscal court already had initiated a planning and zoning program for the county, including extensive water and sewer services. With the infrastructure available or in the process, the park system was among those projects ready to materialize. “The acquisition of another 200-300 acres of battlefield land is quite possible,” Clark notes. “Then, we could have a wonderful 500-acre park located in the central part of the county.” Clark also sees the facility as an important tourism attraction. And tourism plays a significant role in the Commonwealth. According to the Kentucky Department of Tourism, the state receives $9.1 billion each year in tourism dollars. It’s the state’s third largest industry and second largest employer. Where Battlefield Park is concerned, the projected $8 million per year revenue it could produce is very conservative, according to Rumpke. “With our location right off I-75 and with a new exit that will be only a short distance from our battlefield visitor’s center and museum, I truly feel Battlefield Park can be the most visited heritage tourism attraction in Kentucky,” he says. The Perryville (Civil War) Battlefield in Boyle County attracts more than 265,000 visitors per year. But with I-75 extending throughout Madison County and carrying more than 50,000 cars per day, tourism opportunities in the county are excellent. Rumpke points out that the Artisans Center and crafts industry in Berea and the Battle of Richmond and Battlefield Park are “a big part of who we are here in Madison County.” “When you take these two new attractions and combine them with existing ones – such as Boonesborough, Whitehall and Bybee Pottery – it creates a great opportunity for overnight and weekend stays.” Clark predicts the golf course acquired by the county also will provide dividends as well. “Visitors won’t just stay one day and play golf at Gibson Bay (in Richmond),” he predicts. “They’ll stay two days and play the Battlefield course. Or, they’ll stay three days and play The Bull (north Madison County). We’re going to see the effects of that immediately.” Although Battlefield Park has been open for battle reenactments and living history programs for two years, a fully developed facility with interpreted walking trails, historical markers and shelters is perhaps a year or so away. “We’re probably talking about the tourism season of 2005,” notes Rumpke. “It might not be a fully developed 500-acre park with a full-fledged museum, but we should have a historical driving tour of the battlefield corridor, an interpreted trail system, and a visitor’s center with world-class museum exhibits.” Reenactments of the Battle of Richmond already have attracted thousands of visitors and have generated a lot of interest and excitement. The next reenactment weekend is scheduled for Aug. 27-29. “Tourism is a very big industry for our future,” Richmond City Manager David Evans says. “With a tight economy and escalating gasoline prices, people want vacations and getaways that are close to home. This area is an easy drive from almost two-thirds of the United States. The Battle of Richmond tourism possibilities are unlimited.”
Ed Ford is a staff writer for The Lane Report Back to May Issue The Lane Report is a trademark of Lane Communications Group. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
|
|
|
|
|
Timing is everything. And, for Madison County, it’s a 142-year-old Civil War battle whose time has come. Ironically, the almost-forgotten Battle of Richmond - fought Aug. 29-30, 1862 – is bringing private citizens, business organizations and officials from all phases of government together in a common effort. Their goal is a battlefield park in the center of Madison County that will preserve the battle’s historic heritage, provide a natural green space between the growing cities of Richmond and Berea and create a tourism attraction that could have an economic impact for the county of nearly $8 million per year.
According to James Lighthizer, president of the Civil War Preservation Trust, the transaction marks the first time that preservationists have reclaimed a major battle site after development has occurred. The purchase, adjacent to the 62 acres bought at auction, boosted Battlefield Park to more than 260 acres. Again, elected officials, business people and private citizens were involved in the effort.