About
The Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation (CCBF), an entirely private 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1988, is a unique, largely volunteer-operated organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the landscape, artifacts, and writings of the 1864 Battle of Cedar Creek. Today, CCBF continues to be an active Key Partner in the management of the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park.
The landscape of the Cedar Creek Battlefield is constantly threatened by Northern Virginia’s rapid development. Since its formation, CCBF alone has preserved over 350 acres of central battlegrounds, including the Federal XIX Corps Earthworks, a section of the Federal VI Corps position along the Meadow Brook, and the centrally located Heater House. The Heater House, nestled in a hillside just south of Middletown, is the last remaining structure of the original 18th-century homestead that witnessed the Battle of Cedar Creek and over 200 years of Shenandoah Valley history.
CCBF strives to bring the October 19th, 1864, Battle of Cedar Creek to life through museum exhibits, guided and self-guided tours, outdoor trails, and lessons by costumed interpreters during special weekend programs. In addition, lectures, presentations, book signings, and hands-on workshops are scheduled throughout the year to share the diverse stories and rich history of the Shenandoah Valley, life during the mid-19th century, and more. As a private organization, CCBF receives no state or federal funding and relies on the generosity of our members, public contributions, gift shop, event proceeds, and grants to continue our mission of preservation and education.
Mission Statement
The Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation acquires, protects, preserves, and interprets the lands, physical objects, and writings relating to the October 19th, 1864, Battle of Cedar Creek for the educational benefit of scholars, the general public, and future generations.
History Comes Alive At Cedar Creek!
Who Are We?
Our Staff
Ashley Sonntag-Bottomley
Operations Manager and Curator
Ashley is a Gettysburg College 2019 graduate with a BA in History and Civil War Era Studies. While attending Gettysburg College, she worked as an intern in the conservation lab of the Special Collections and College Archives to restore antique books, documents, and learn to work closely with collections. During this time she also presented and developed interpretive and educational programs at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (NPS) as an intern through the Brian C. Pohanka Internship Program. Throughout her college experience, she continued to research and present as a volunteer living historian at various historic house museums, battlefields, and classrooms.
Ashley is also an elected member of the Winchester-Frederick County Tourism Board, an elected member of the Society for Women and the Civil War Board of Directors, serves as a member of Shenandoah University’s McCormick Civil War Institute’s Advisory Board, and continues to act as a collections, interpretation, and development consultant for many historic house museums, private collectors, and growing historic sites. Ashley is currently finishing her Certification in Museum Management through Virginia Association of Museums (VAM).
When asked what sparked her interest in American history, she replied that she has had this passion since she was very young. Childhood family trips to Gettysburg where she could experience hands-on history inspired a love for museums and teaching. Since the age of 14, Ashley has been an active participant in the Civil War living history and reenactment community, striving each season to improve her presentations and experiences to be as authentic to the historical documentation of the period as possible. Ashley’s unique background has nurtured an energy and passion that are contagious and continue to inspire others every day. If you would like to contact Ashley, please call (540) 869 – 2064 or email Ashley.Sonntag@ccbf.us.
Our Board of Directors
Jeannette Shaffer
President
Gary Rinkerman
Vice President
Carol Polkinghorne
Treasurer
Cynthia Armstrong
Secretary
John Cadden
Zsolt "G" Vezsenyi
Charles Harbaugh IV
Martin Downey
Christopher Brang
The Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation
is a Managing Partner of the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park with
The Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation is also a Proud Member or Partner of:
