The Board of Directors of the J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace Preservation Trust met Tuesday 6:00 p m on November 23, 2012 at the Ararat Ruritan Club building in Ararat,VA.

Through the many donations from our members and supporters the Trust will begin improvements to the Letcher gravesite which is part of the birthplace property. The grave of William Letcher, a Revolutionary soldier and great-grand father of J.E.B. Stuart is the oldest marked grave in Patrick County. The grave was saved from being moved to Saltsville, Va back in the 50’s. The parents of Mary Dellenback Hill, Thelma and Charlie M. Dellenback Sr. the owners of the property at this time, her mom knew the historial value of the grave and her dad just did think the grave should be disturb. Mary is now on the Board of Directors for the Gen J.E.B. Birthplace Preservation Trust. Plans are to grade, smooth, landscape, and gravel the area. Interpretive signs, markers and an information kiosk will be added. A brochure will be developed to tie this site in with Stuart’s birthplace. New directional signs will be added along Ararat Highway. The Board also looked at preliminary plans by Vice President Ronnie Haynes for a proposed new Interpretive Center and Museum at Laurel Hill. Trust President Shirley Keene expressed appreciation to everyone for making the October Civil War Encampment a success. The public is invited to attend the birthday celebration at Granny’s Attic in Stuart on Saturday, February 9, 2012. Please visit our website www.jebstuart.org for more