(June 2007, #010)

For Immediate Release

CHADDS FORD, PA — One hundred acres in the heart of the Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark have been preserved by the Brandywine Conservancy. Protection of the property, known as Skirmish Hill Farm, is a major milestone in the two-decade effort to save the battlefield from suburban sprawl.

In December 2006, the Conservancy set a fundraising goal of $10 million to purchase the farm from the Odell Family Limited Partnership and to create an endowment. On May 23, 2007, the Conservancy officially took title to 100 acres and also secured an option to buy 13 acres, which includes the residence of Roberta Odell. The fundraising campaign continues in pursuit of $2 million to exercise this option in the future and to create an endowment.

"With the incredible support of many foundations, individuals, and government agencies, we have not only preserved open space, but the historical ground where patriots fought for American independence," said George A. "Frolic" Weymouth, Chairman of the Brandywine Conservancy's Board of Trustees. "We may have lost the battle in 1777, but we won this one."

History of the Battle
Considered the largest military engagement of the Revolutionary War with over 26,000 troops, the Battle of Brandywine was a key victory for the British. Early on the morning of September 11, 1777, General Howe, the Commander-in-Chief of the British army, committed half of his forces - approximately 6,000 troops under the leadership of Lt. General Knyphausen - to a frontal assault on Washington's line of defense along the Brandywine River at Chadds Ford. Howe led his remaining forces on a 17-mile flanking march to attack the Continental forces from the north.

After fording the east and west branches of the Brandywine, Howe's troops rested on Osborne Hill near Street Road (Route 926) and then moved south toward the Birmingham Friends Meeting House. The vanguard of Continental forces fell back and assembled the first line of defense near Meetinghouse Road, from which point ensued a running engagement of fierce charges, countercharges, stands and retreats.

The Continental forces withdrew southeast, fighting all the way to Dilworthtown. Nightfall ended the battle, and the Continental forces retreated to Chester. Following the battle, the British captured Philadelphia on October 26, and the Continental army spent the winter at Valley Forge.

The Campaign for Preservation
In 1961, the battlefield was designated as a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. National Park Service. The Landmark encompasses approximately ten square miles along the Brandywine River in Chester and Delaware Counties. This designation is the highest level of national recognition that can be awarded a historic resource in private ownership. While Landmark status recognizes a site's historical importance, it does not prevent landowners from altering or developing their properties.

A task force formed in 1993 to preserve the battlefield includes representatives from Birmingham Township, Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates, Brandywine Conservancy, Chadds Ford Historical Society, Chester County, Delaware County, Pennsbury Township, and Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Preservation efforts have concentrated on the few remaining undeveloped properties where the heaviest action took place on the battlefield. Known as the Meetinghouse Road Corridor, five historically-significant properties comprising more than 450 acres were considered the most important for preservation. These properties remain much as they were in 1777 - open fields and dense woods.

In January 2001, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brigham protected their 55 acres with a conservation easement. In December 2002, the Spackman Family Trust placed an easement on its 110 acres. In July 2003, Mr. and Mrs. William Wylie permanently protected their 11 acres with an easement. In December 2003, the Worth Family Trust granted an easement on 115 acres.

Each of the four Meetinghouse Road Corridor easements is customized for the individual property, but all strictly limit future development. In addition, the easements require that archaeological assessments be conducted prior to any major excavation. With the exception of one property, the easements establish walking trails for use by the general public. Three of the easements are held by the Brandywine Conservancy with Chester County and Birmingham Township serving as co-grantees. The Natural Lands Trust, a nationally-recognized conservation organization based in Media, Pennsylvania, jointly holds one easement with Chester County and Thornbury Township.

As the primary easement holders, the Brandywine Conservancy and the Natural Lands Trust have a responsibility to regularly monitor the properties, approve permitted construction, and enforce the easements if they are ever violated.

Skirmish Hill Farm
Skirmish Hill Farm is the fifth property to be protected in the Meetinghouse Road Corridor. It is in the center of previously protected lands. Twenty-nine house sites proposed for the farm's open fields would have destroyed the historic character of the battlefield and eliminated any meaningful interpretation of it. With the Conservancy's acquisition, a covenant was granted to Chester County that restricts the use of 93 acres. A deed restriction in favor of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources protects 24 acres of non-agricultural land and protects land for a public walking trail and a small parking lot that will be constructed along the north and east borders of the property.

The Conservancy has leased the 100 acres for continued use as a farm, subject to the restrictions in favor of the County and Commonwealth, as well as the public trails and parking area.

In total, approximately 56% (1,085 acres) of the Meetinghouse Road Corridor and 42% (2,700 acres) of the Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark have now been permanently protected through various methods.

Diverse Sources of Funding
Approximately $8 million has been committed to date through gifts from numerous individuals and generous grants from government agencies and foundations including the Chester County Commissioners' Preservation Partnership Program, Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Longwood Foundation, McLean Contributionship, Mt. Cuba Center, R.K. Mellon Family Foundation, U.S. National Park Service, Welfare Foundation, and others. Because several of the grants and gifts will be made over time, the Conservancy obtained a bridge loan from The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit land conservation organization, to finance the funding shortfall.

More than $1.6 million has been donated by individuals, many of whom gave online at www.savethebattlefield.org. Several people gave in honor of ancestors who fought the Battle of Brandywine in 1777. Others, like California resident Diane Cook, are passionate about saving the battlefield. "I grew up going to Birmingham Friends Meeting, and my father and I go there together whenever I am in the area," says Ms. Cook. "I've always looked out across those fields and thought, 'Isn't it lovely that the area is still open and green and there are no houses.'"

In Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, fourth and fifth grade students at Mary D. Lang Elementary School raised $205 by placing "Protect the Battlefield" jugs throughout the school for two months. In addition, the students created an elaborate display that demonstrates how much they have learned about the battle.

Protection of the Brandywine Battlefield is a remarkable example of how concerned citizens, private foundations, conservation organizations and all levels of government can join forces to achieve an important goal. Everyone involved over many years can take pride in their endeavor to preserve American history. To help protect the Brandywine Battlefield, visit www.savethebattlefield.org today and make a donation online.

Founded in 1967, the Brandywine Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that preserves the history, art and natural resources of the Brandywine Valley. The Conservancy's Environmental Management Center has been instrumental in permanently protecting more than 40,000 acres of open space in southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware, and the Conservancy's Brandywine River Museum has introduced millions of visitors to the area's rich artistic heritage.

For more information about the Brandywine Conservancy, call 610-388-2700 or visit www.brandywineconservancy.org.

For digital photographs to accompany this press release, please contact 610-388-8337 or lenglehart@brandywine.org .