The funding, preparation and installation of five new Civil War Trail markers reflect the long-standing community spirit of Falls Church, civic activist Barbara Cram said this week. The Friends of Cherry Hill, the Village Preservation and Improvement Society, the Galloway United Methodist Church, the Falls Church Anglican, and the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation along with the Falls Church Economic Development
Authority cooperated on the funding to raise the needed $16,000. A grant application to the Virginia Tourism Council was approved for $5,000 in matching funds. During this process the needed easements were granted by the property owners where the markers are placed. Each sign was placed and sited to the location where the special narrative of the actual Civil War history that happened in that spot or general area occurred. The marker narratives were finally constructed after revisions to reflect the most recent historical research conducted by committee members.
Mitch Bowman heads up the Civil War Trails Commission. For the past 19 years he has galvanized a multi-state program to provide access and signage for Civil War sites in hundreds of localities.