Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 27, 1995 TAG: 9503270096
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: SHARPSBURG, MD. LENGTH: Medium
Moving to Sharpsburg would put the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites Inc. within reach of Antietam, Harpers Ferry, W.Va., and Gettysburg, Pa., said Dennis E. Frye, the group's president.
``This is an opportunity for us to be right in the nucleus of the most visited Civil War battlefield area of the country,'' Frye said.
The association is now based in Fredericksburg, Va., where it is near well-known but less-visited battlefields.
The group has spent about $6.8 million to help with the purchase of 32 sites in 10 states since 1987, including the Grove Farm at the Antietam National Battlefield.
Frye said the group is now working with the Central Maryland Heritage League to preserve the lesser-known South Mountain battlefield where a prelude to Antietam was fought.
Part of the attraction of Maryland lies in its prestige in the Civil War community, Frye said.
``Washington County and Maryland have been the flagships of Civil War battlefield preservation in the nation,'' Frye said. ``No other state and no other county has accomplished as much.''
Frye, who lives near Sharpsburg, said the town's proximity to Interstates 81 and 70 is attractive, too.
The group began considering a move when it was approached by Washington County officials, Frye said. The organization is looking to save money, and a move to Sharpsburg would be contingent on any economic incentives offered by the commissioners, he said.
``If we had some sort of rent-free agreement for 10 years, we could save about $300,000, when you figure in inflation, that could be used for land purchase,'' Frye said. ``That's a lot of money.''
Washington County officials say the group would be an asset to the county.
``Having an organization like that in our county would be a tremendous benefit,'' Washington County Commissioner Jim Wade said. ``There are tremendous dollars to be gained from Civil War tourists.''
The county could also tap into the group's expertise in land preservation to help defray development around the village of about 650 people, Wade said.
``I think it's a wonderful idea,'' said Sharpsburg Mayor Chris Yeager. ``I'm thrilled with it. I think it would have a tremendous impact on the town.''
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.