Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Act
PL 107-373 (H.R.4944), enacted 12/19/2002

116 STAT. 3104 
PUBLIC LAW 107-373—DEC. 19, 2002 
Public Law 107-373 
107th Congress 
Dec. 19, 2002 
[H.R. 4944] 
Cedar Creek and 
Belle Grove 
National 
Historical Park 
Act. 
Virginia. 
16 u s e 410iii 
note. 
u s e 410iii. 
An Act 
To designate the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park as a 
unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the "Cedar Creek and Belle Grove 
National Historical Park Act". 
SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to establish the Cedar Creek and 
Belle Grove National Historical Park in order to— 
(1) help preserve, protect, and interpret a nationally signifi-
cant Civil War landscape and antebellum plantation for the 
education, inspiration, and benefit of present and future genera-
tions; 
(2) tell the rich story of Shenandoah Valley history from 
early settlement through the Civil War and beyond, and the 
Battle of Cedar Creek and its significance in the conduct of 
the war in the Shenandoah Valley; 
(3) preserve the significant historic, natural, cultural, mili-
tary, and scenic resources found in the Cedar Creek Battlefield 
and Belle Grove Plantation areas through partnerships with 
local landowners and the community; and 
(4) serve as a focal point to recognize and interpret impor-
tant events and geographic locations within the Shenandoah 
Valley Battlefields National Historic District representing key 
Civil War battles in the Shenandoah Valley, including those 
battlefields associated with the Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson 
campaign of 1862 and the decisive campaigns of 1864. 
16 u s e 410iii-l. 
SEC. 3. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The Battle of Cedar Creek, also known as the battle 
of Belle Grove, was a major event of the Civil War and the 
history of this country. It represented the end of the Civil 
War's Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1864 and contributed 
to the reelection of President Abraham Lincoln and the eventual 
outcome of the war. 
(2) 2,500 acres of the Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle 
Grove Plantation were designated a national historic landmark 
in 1969 because of their ability to illustrate and interpret 
important eras and events in the history of the United States. 
The Cedar Creek Battlefield, Belle Grove Manor House, the 
PUBLIC LAW 107-373—DEC. 19, 2002 
116 STAT. 3105 
Heater House, and Harmony Hall (a National Historic Land-
mark) are also listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register. 
(3) The Secretary of the Interior has approved the Shen-
andoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Manage-
ment Plan and the National Park Service Special Resource 
Study, both of which recognized Cedar Creek Battlefield as 
the most significant Civil War resource within the historic 
, 
district. The management plan, which was developed with 
extensive public participation over a 3-year period and is 
administered by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Founda-
tion, recommends that Cedar Creek Battlefield be established 
as a new unit of the National Park System. 
(4) The Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, organized in 
1988 to preserve and interpret the Cedar Creek Battlefield 
and the 1864 Valley Campaign, has acquired 308 acres of 
land within the boundaries of the National Historic Landmark. 
The foundation annually hosts a major reenactment and living 
history event on the Cedar Creek Battlefield. 
(5) Belle Grove Plantation is a Historic Site of the National 
Trust for Historic Preservation that occupies 383 acres within 
the National Historic Landmark. The Belle Grove Manor House 
was built by Isaac Hite, a Revolutionary War patriot married 
to the sister of President James Madison, who was a frequent 
visitor at Belle Grove. President Thomas Jefferson assisted 
with the design of the house. During the Civil War Belle 
Grove was at the center of the decisive battle of Cedar Creek. 
Belle Grove is managed locally by Belle Grove, Incorporated, 
and has been open to the public since 1967. The house has 
remained virtually unchanged since it was built in 1797, 
offering visitors an experience of the life and times of the 
people who lived there in the 18th and 19th centuries. 
(6) The panoramic views of the mountains, natural areas, 
and waterways provide visitors with an inspiring setting of 
great natural beauty. The historic, natural, cultural, military, 
and scenic resources found in the Cedar Creek Battlefield and 
Belle Grove Plantation areas are nationally and regionally 
significant. 
(7) The existing, independent, not-for-profit organizations 
dedicated to the protection and interpretation of the resources 
described above provide the foundation for public-private part-
nerships to further the success of protecting, preserving, and 
interpreting these resources. 
(8) None of these resources, sites, or stories of the Shen-
andoah Valley are protected by or interpreted within the 
National Park System. 
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 
16 USC 410iii-2. 
In this Act: 
(1) COMMISSION.—The term "Commission" means the Cedar 
Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Advisory 
Commission established by section 9. 
(2) MAP.—The term "Map" means the map entitled 
"Boundary Map Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Histor-
ical Park", numbered CEBE-80,001, and dated September 2002. 
(3) PARK.—The term "Park" means the Cedar Creek and 
Belle Grove National Historical Park established under section 
5 and depicted on the Map. 
116 STAT. 3106 
PUBLIC LAW 107-373—DEC. 19, 2002 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term "Secretary" means the Secretary 
of the Interior. 
16 use 410iii-3. 
SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF CEDAR CREEK AND BELLE GROVE 
NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is estabhshed the Cedar Creek and 
Belle Grove National Historical Park, consisting of approximately 
3,000 acres, as generally depicted on the Map. 
(b) AVAILABILITY OF MAP.—The Map shall be on file and avail-
able for public inspection in the offices of the National Park Service, 
Department of the Interior. 
16 use 410iii-4. 
SEC. 6. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY. 
(a) REAL PROPERTY.—The Secretary may acquire land or 
interests in land within the boundaries of the Park, from willing 
sellers only, by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated 
funds, or exchange. 
(b) BOUNDARY REVISION.—After acquiring land for the Park, 
the Secretary shall— 
(1) revise the boundary of the Park to include newly 
acquired land within the boundary; and 
(2) administer newly acquired land subject to applicable 
laws (including regulations). 
(c) PERSONAL PROPERTY.—The Secretary may acquire personal 
property associated with, and appropriate for, interpretation of 
the Park. 
(d) CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND COVENANTS.—The Secretary 
is authorized to acquire conservation easements and enter into 
covenants regarding lands in or adjacent to the Park from willing 
sellers only. Such conservation easements and covensints shall have 
the effect of protecting the scenic, natural, and historic resources 
on adjacent lands and preserving the natural or historic setting 
of the Park when viewed from within or outside the Park. 
(e) SUPPORT FACILITIES.—The National Park Service is author-
ized to acquire from willing sellers, land outside the Park boundary 
but in close proximity to the Park, for the development of visitor, 
administrative, museum, curatorial, and maintenance facilities. 
16 use 410iii-5. 
SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION. 
The Secretary shall administer the Park in accordance with 
this Act and the provisions of law generally applicable to units 
of the National Park System, including— 
(1) the Act entitled "An Act to establish a National Park 
Service, and for other purposes", approved August 25, 1916 
(16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); and 
(2) the Act entitled "An Act to provide for the preservation 
of historic American sites, buildings, objects, and antiquities 
of national significance, and for other purposes", approved 
August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.). 
16 use 410iii-6. 
SEC. 8. MANAGEMENT OF PARK. 
(a) MANAGEMENT PLAN.—The Secretary, in consultation with 
the Commission, shall prepare a management plan for the Park. 
In particular, the management plan shall contain provisions to 
address the needs of owners of non-Federal land, including inde-
pendent nonprofit organizations within the boundaries of the Park. 
Deadline. 
(b) SUBMISSION OF PLAN TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
PUBLIC LAW 107-373—DEC. 19, 2002 
116 STAT. 3107 
submit the management plan for the Park to the Committee on 
Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate. 
SEC. 9. CEDAR CREEK AND BELLE GROVE NATIONAL HISTORICAL 
16 USC 410iii-7 
PARK ADVISORY COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is estabHshed the Cedar Creek and 
Belle Grove National Historical Park Advisory Commission. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Commission shall— 
(1) advise the Secretary in the preparation and implementa-
tion of a general management plan described in section 8; 
and 
(2) advise the Secretary with respect to the identification 
of sites of significance outside the Park boundary deemed nec-
essary to fulfill the purposes of this Act. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall be composed of 
15 members appointed by the Secretary so as to include the 
following: 
(A) 1 representative from the Commonwealth of Vir-
ginia. 
(B) 1 representative each fi-om the local governments 
of Strasburg, Middletown, Frederick County, Shenandoah 
County, and Warren County. 
(C) 2 representatives of private landowners within the 
Park. 
(D) 1 representative from a citizen interest group. 
(E) 1 representative from the Cedar Creek Battlefield 
Foundation. 
(F) 1 representative fi-om Belle Grove, Incorporated. 
(G) 1 representative from the National Trust for His-
toric Preservation. 
(H) 1 representative from the Shenandoah Valley 
Battlefields Foundation. 
(I) 1 ex-officio representative fi'om the National Park 
Service. 
(J) 1 ex-officio representative from the United States 
Forest Service. 
(2) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairperson of the Commission 
shall be elected by the members to serve a term of one year 
renewable for one additional year. 
(3) VACANCIES.—^A vacancy on the Commission shall be 
filled in the same manner in which the original appointment 
was made. 
(4) TERMS OF SERVICE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Each member shall be appointed 
for a term of 3 years and may be reappointed for not 
more than 2 successive terms. 
(B) INITIAL MEMBERS.—Of the members first appointed 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall appoint— 
(i) 4 members for a term of 1 year; 
(ii) 5 members for a term of 2 years; and 
(iii) 6 members for a term of 3 years. 
(5) EXTENDED SERVICE.—A member may serve after the 
expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken 
office. 
116 STAT. 3108 
PUBLIC LAW 107-373—DEC. 19, 2002 
(6) MAJORITY RULE.—The Commission shall act and advise 
by affirmative vote of a majority of its members. 
(7) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at least quar-
terly at the call of the chairperson or a majority of the members 
of the Commission. 
(8) QUORUM.—8 members shall constitute a quorum. 
(d) COMPENSATION.—Members shall serve without pay. Mem-
bers who are full-time officers or employees of the United States, 
the Commonwealth of Virginia, or any political subdivision thereof 
shall receive no additional pay on account of their service on the 
Commission. 
(e) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—While away from their homes or regular 
places of business in the performance of service for the Commission, 
members shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in 
lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed inter-
mittently in the Government service are allowed expenses under 
section 5703 of title 5, United States Code. 
(f) HEARINGS; PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT.—The Commission may, 
for purposes of carrying out this Act, hold such hearings, sit and 
act at such times and places, take such public testimony, and 
receive such evidence, as the Commission considers appropriate. 
The Commission may not issue subpoenas or exercise any subpoena 
authority. 
16 u s e 410iii-8 
SEC. 10. CONSERVATION OF CEDAR CREEK AND BELLE GROVE 
NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. 
(a) ENCOURAGEMENT OF CONSERVATION.—The Secretary and 
the Commission shall encourage conservation of the historic and 
natural resources within and in proximity of the Park by land-
owners, local governments, organizations, and businesses. 
(b) PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary may 
provide technical assistance to local governments, in cooperative 
efforts which complement the values of the Park. 
(c) COOPERATION BY FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Any Federal entity 
conducting or supporting activities directly affecting the Park shall 
consult, cooperate, and, to the maximum extent practicable, coordi-
nate its activities with the Secretary in a manner that— 
(1) is consistent with the purposes of this Act and the 
standards and criteria established pursuant to the general 
management plan developed pursuant to section 8; 
(2) is not likely to have an adverse effect on the resources 
of the Park; and 
(3) is likely to provide for full public participation in order 
to consider the views of all interested parties. 
16 u s e 410m-9. 
SEC. 11. ENDOWMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the provisions of sub-
section (b), the Secretary is authorized to receive and expend funds 
from an endowment to be established with the National Park 
Foundation, or its successors and assigns. 
(b) CONDITIONS.—Funds from the endowment referred to in 
subsection (a) shall be expended exclusively as the Secretary, in 
consultation with the Commission, may designate for the interpreta-
tion, preservation, and maintenance of the Park resources and 
public access areas. No expenditure shall be made pursuant to 
this section unless the Secretary determines that such expenditure 
is consistent with the purposes of this Act. 
PUBLIC LAW 107-373—DEC. 19, 2002 
116 STAT. 3109 
SEC. 12. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to further the purposes of this Act, 
the Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements 
with interested 
pubhc and private entities and individuals 
(including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Belle Grove, 
Inc., the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, the Shenandoah 
Valley Battlefields Foundation, and the Counties of Frederick, Shen-
andoah, and Warren), through technical and financial assistance, 
including encouraging the conservation of historic and natural 
resources of the Park. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary may 
provide to any person, organization, or governmental entity tech-
nical and financial assistance for the purposes of this Act, including 
the following: 
(1) Preserving historic structures within the Park. 
(2) Maintaining the natural or cultural landscape of the 
Park. 
(3) Local 
preservation 
planning, 
interpretation, and 
management of public visitation for the Park. 
(4) Furthering the goals of the Shenandoah Valley Battle-
fields Foundation related to the Park. 
SEC. 13. ROLES OF KEY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In recognition that central portions of the 
Park are presently owned and operated for the benefit of the public 
by key partner organizations, the Secretary shall acknowledge and 
support the continued participation of these partner organizations 
in the management of the Park. 
(b) PARK PARTNERS.—Roles of the current key partners include 
the following: 
(1) CEDAR CREEK BATTLEFIELD FOUNDATION.—The Cedar 
Creek Battlefield Foundation may— 
(A) continue to own, operate, and manage the lands 
acquired by the Foundation within the Park; 
(B) continue to conduct reenactments and other events 
within the Park; and 
(C) transfer ownership interest in portions of their 
land to the National Park Service by donation, sale, or 
other means that meet the leggJ requirements of National 
Park Service land acquisitions. 
(2) NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND BELLE 
GROVE INCORPORATED.—The National 
Trust for Historic 
Preservation and Belle Grove Incorporated may continue to 
own, operate, and manage Belle Grove Plantation and its struc-
tures and grounds within the Park boundary. Belle Grove Incor-
porated may continue to own the house and grounds known 
as Bowman's Fort or Harmony Hall for the purpose of perma-
nent preservation, with a long-term goal of opening the property 
to the public. 
(3) SHENANDOAH COUNTY.—Shenandoah County may con-
tinue to own, operate, and manage the Keister park site within 
the Park for the benefit of the public. 
(4) PARK 
COMMUNITY PARTNERS.—The Secretary shall 
cooperate with the Park's adjacent historic towns of Strasburg 
and Middletown, Virginia, as well as Frederick, Shenandoah, 
and Warren counties in furthering the purposes of the Park. 
16 use 
410iii-10. 
16 use 
410iii-ll. 
116 STAT. 3110 
PUBLIC LAW 107-373—DEC. 19, 2002 
(5) SHENANDOAH VALLEY BATTLEFIELDS FOUNDATION.—The 
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation may continue to 
administer and manage the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields 
National Historic District in partnership with the National 
Park Service and in accordance with the Management Plan 
for the District in which the Park is located. 
16 use 
SEC. 14. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as are nec-
essary to CEirry out this Act. 
Approved December 19, 2002. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4944 (S. 2623): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 107-713 (Comm. on Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 148 (2002): 
Oct. 1, considered and passed House. 
Nov. 19, considered and passed Senate.