For Immediate Release
November 16, 2005
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WATERFORD, VA (November 16, 2005)—As The Journey Through Hallowed Ground (JTHG) initiative gains support in the halls of Congress and in local communities along the three-state historic corridor, the JTHG Foundation reports an increase in the number of teachers, lawyers, historians, engineers, urban planners, and transportation professionals who are lending their professional support in the form of pro bono services.

According to JTHG officials, this professional support is crucial as the JTHG Foundation works tirelessly to: finalize its letters of incorporation/501c3 non-profit organization status; begins corridor management planning and to coordinate efforts with transportation officials in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania to start the process to create a linked National Scenic Byway; to work with the National Park Service and Congress to apply to become a National Heritage Area; and, to work with historians and educators to develop a local, regional, and national educational outreach program.

“We are so honored to be working with such an incredible team of professionals who have so generously donated their professional services,” said Cate Magennis Wyatt, executive director, The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Foundation.  “These professionals all share a love of our American heritage and see The Journey Through Hallowed Ground as a valuable effort in which to lend their professional expertise.  Their contributions are invaluable.”

Keith Troxell, partner with the Leesburg, VA, law firm Troxell and Kincaid LLC, was one of the first professionals to donate his time to the JTHG initiative. “I am very pleased with the momentum garnered and grassroots support given to The Journey Through Hallowed Ground.  As one who has spent time devoted towards supporting the economic development of Loudoun County and protection of its rural and historical assets, I am pleased to offer our services to ensure the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Foundation is successful in executing its business plan," said Troxell.

The following professional firms and individuals are working with The Journey Through Hallowed Ground as pro bono partners:

• The Washington, DC -based public law and policy practice of the international law firm Akin Gump Strauss Haeur and Feld  LLP is providing pro bono strategic legal advice and government affairs assistance drafting and advocating federal legislation to establish the corridor as a national heritage area and assistance with legal and political issues involved with preservation and education regarding the corridor.  Donald R. Pongrace is the partner managing this matter for the firm. 
• The Alexandria, VA, office of EDAW, Inc., the international land-based planning and design firm, is providing advice on planning and design issues related to the future development of JTHG, and attending meetings with local and state agencies to help facilitate discussion of planning issues.  Roger J. Courteney is the partner/Vice President leading the EDAW pro bono effort.
• Lorren Johnston of Campell, Miller, and Zimmerman, P.C. is working with The JTHG Foundation in creating a real estate investment trust (R.E.I.T) that could, once established, purchase for long-term investment land along the tri-state corridor.
• Beverly Blois PhD, Dean of the Humanities Division, and Prof. David Porter, Program Head for Historic Preservation,  Northern Virginia Community College, and Loudoun County high school teacher Dan Kent are jointly developing a history curriculum for The Journey Through Hallowed Ground that will be used to teach the teachers about the history that follows the Route 15 corridor.
• John White of the firm Berenatio, White & Stavish has provided pro bono services in creating a trademark for The Journey Through Hallowed Ground logo and taglines.
• Troxell and Kinkaid, LLC, is providing pro bono legal assistance in drafting the JTHG letters of incorporation and in filing the 501c3 legal documents. 

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Foundation is a public–private partnership and 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to raising national awareness of the heritage and cultural resources along the US Route 15 corridor, often referred to as the Old Carolina Road, from Gettysburg, Pa., to Monticello, Va. This 175-mile historic corridor was designated as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by The National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2005.  The Journey Through Hallowed Ground is Where America Happened – a corridor that holds more American history than any other swath of land in the United States. For more information, visit The Journey Through Hallowed Ground’s web site at www.hallowedground.org.