Following are some projects recently funded by Shenandoah National Park Trust and your generous support.

Mount Vernon Emergency Stabilization Plan

An iron furnace, known as Mt. Vernon Furnace is located in the park adjacent to Madison Run. The property was first owned by the Madison family and may have supplied iron ore to James Madison's iron works in the 18th century. The present furnace establishment is known to have been constructed around 1830 and operated until about 1880.  Archeological investigations reveal that prehistoric and historic use of this area and these structures render the site one of the most significant historic features in the park and an ideal location for future interpretive and education efforts. Unfortunately, the structures are deteriorating and in need of emergency stabilization.

Shenandoah National Park Trust has provided $30,000 in grant funding for the staff of the National Park Service Historic Preservation Training Center to conduct field investigations on the structure with subsequent preparation of a field report, stabilization plan, and a detailed budget to conduct the work. Related environmental field investigations will be undertaken to identify natural resource and environmental compliance requirements to be addressed.  With these tools in hand, the park will proceed with the preservation and utilization of this historic resource for the education of today’s park visitors.

Rescue Equipment for Old Rag Mountain

Each year park personnel respond to numerous calls for help on Old Rag Mountain.  These rescues typically occur at or near the summit, requiring medical and rescue equipment to be transported to the site of the incident from front country rescue caches.  Treatment and evacuation of victims can be delayed for hours, depending upon conditions and logistics. 

Shenandoah National Park Trust is providing a grant of $10,000 for placement of a first response rescue cache near Byrds Nest #1 shelter, which is outside of the designated wilderness area, but within ½ mile of the summit.  Cached highly specialized light weight rescue and medical equipment will be quickly transportable by one or two responders, resulting in faster response times and more effective treatment of injuries.

Old Rag View Overlook Restoration

Helping the park celebrate the 75th anniversary of Skyline Drive, the105-mile road that winds along the crest of the mountains through the length of the park, this grant will completely restore this historic site which is one of the earliest overlooks constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early 30’s.  Old Rag View Overlook, located at Milepost 46.5, provides the finest view of Old Rag Mountain, perhaps the most beloved peak in Shenandoah.  Originally, the overlook was bordered by a chestnut log guide rail, which will be recreated to preserve the intended rustic plan.

GPS Ranger™

The Trust granted funds to the Park for interpretation services to implement and support the introduction of GPS (Global Positioning System) Ranger™.  This hand held mobile guiding device delivers interpretive messages to visitors as they experience the beauty, meaning, and stories of park resources. The GPS Ranger automatically delivers interpretive messages when a visitor approaches the pre-programmed GPS coordinates that correspond to points of interest within the park. 

Junior Rangers

Matched by funds from the National Park Foundation, this grant was used  to advance the popular Junior Rangers program, a unique learning experience for young people.  Filling the request from our current Junior Rangers, two new activity guides have been printed for ages 13 and up.  Ranger Explorers can explore a portion of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT) or the geology and vegetation communities on the rock outcrops of the park.  A third guide on park Wilderness will be in print next summer.

Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)