16 U.S.C. § 410iii — Purpose

The purpose of this subchapter is to create the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park^* in order to (1) help preserve, protect, and interpret a nationally significant Civil War landscape and antebellum plantation, for the education, inspiration, and benefit of people now and in the future; (2) tell the full story of Shenandoah Valley history, from early settlement through the Civil War and beyond, including the Battle of Cedar Creek and its role in the Valley's Civil War fighting; (3) preserve the significant historic, natural, cultural, military, and scenic resources of the Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation areas, working in partnership with local landowners and the community; and (4) act as a focal point for recognizing and interpreting important Civil War events and places across the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, including battlefields tied to Stonewall Jackson's 1862 campaign and the decisive campaigns of 1864.