GDG- Back from Exile- G. Spangler Farm

[James Cameron]

<< George Spangler farm, the 11th corps hospital up on the market, only a 
low,
low $2.2 million. Pocket change I'm sure for most of our members......  >>


The Spangler farm is within the GNMP boundary.  The Park has the right to 
purchase it, buy an easement on it or even take it by eminent domain.   The 
owner is interested in selling a preservation easement to keep it from being 
developed.  Unfortunately, a preservation easement on a property such as 
this costs a very substantial amount of money.   The NPS is in no financial 
position to expend the necessary funds, and the Museum Foundation has its 
financial hands full trying to complete fundraising for the new Visitor 
Center.

The Adams County Land Conservancy, founded by fellow esteemed member Dean 
Schultz, is actively engaged in seeking the funds needed to purchase the 
easement, and is taking the lead in coordinating the efforts of the CWPT and 
other interested local and national organizations.  Hopefully, a substantial 
portion of the funds will be obtained by way of a Federal preservation 
grant, but that is unlikely to cover much more than half the expected costs, 
even if the grant comes through.  Closing the rest of the gap is going to 
take dedicated, well coordinated fundraising efforts.

The ACLC is one of those organizations which, unfortunately, doesn't get a 
lot of publicity beyond the local area.  Yet, it has preserved over 4,000 
acres, of which 1,300 are adjacent to or within the Park boundary.

I urge all members to support the Land Conservancy in this effort.

Jim Cameron