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On July 23, 2009, the Gettysburg Foundation accepted the donation of a scenic, historic and open space conservation easement on a 61-acre parcel of land directly adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center.
The property, owned by Gettysburg resident and long-time supporter of the Foundation, David LeVan, is along the Baltimore Pike corridor adjacent to the Culp's Hill area of the Gettysburg battlefield as well as the Museum and Visitor Center and is entirely within the boundary of Gettysburg National Military Park.
In accepting the property easement, former Gettysburg Foundation president Robert C. Wilburn said, "As part of its partnership with Gettysburg National Military Park, the Foundation has a long history of land preservation, including the Baltimore Pike corridor. This easement will protect this important parcel of land from future development and will preserve its historical integrity for generations to come." This donation brings the total acreage preserved by the Gettysburg Foundation to 700 acres.
In conferring the gift, LeVan said, "I make this gift in honor of my father's vision and commitment to preservation and conservation of this property. I'm happy that I am now the one who is able to do this in his honor."
Dick Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, wrote in a letter, "I'm honored to acknowledge David and Jennifer LeVan in their partnership with the Gettysburg Foundation for their unique vision and commitment to preservation of the hallowed ground at Gettysburg. Granting this easement will forever protect these significant acres from being lost to our children and grandchildren as they grow to understand the importance of what happened here."
THE LAND
 The easement protects 61 acres of land within the boundary of the Gettysburg National Military Park along the Baltimore Pike and adjacent to the Culp's Hill/Spangler Spring area of the battlefield as well as adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center.
THE DONORS
The LeVans have a long history of philanthropic and preservation efforts in the Gettysburg area, one of the most notable being a donation to the Majestic Theater project.
THE FOUNDATION'S WORK AT LAND PRESERVATION
 The Gettysburg Foundation has a long history of land preservation, and, with the acceptance of this donation, has preserved close to 700 acres of land significant to the Battle of Gettysburg, including several properties along the Baltimore Pike.
Another recent preservation success of the Foundation was the acquisition of the 80-acre Spangler Farm (right) along Blacksmith Shop Road, which was used as a field hospital during the battle and was the place where Confederate Gen. Lewis A. Armistead following Pickett's Charge, which took place on the final day of battle.
SUPPORT LAND PRESERVATION AT GETTYSBURG
You, too, can help preserve land at Gettysburg. Join the Friends of Gettysburg, the membership arm of the Gettysburg Foundation. Your membership dollars help support land preservation efforts at Gettysburg. The Gettysburg Foundation is grateful for the support of its members which enables the Foundation to continue the work of preserving history at Gettysburg National Military Park.
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