BCRWBA, Inc. signs agreement with DNR

Progress continues to be made for the Brier Creek Revolutionary War Battlefield on behalf of its lobbying organization. Most recently, Brier Creek Revolutionary War Battlefield Association, Inc (BCRWBA) entered into a historic agreement with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Together, these two entities will work to preserve the battlefield located on the Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area in nearby Screven County. Numerous local members of the Sons of the American Revolution are involved in the preservation effort.

According to a release sent out Monday night by press chair Dess Smith, DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division will continue to be responsible for managing the wildlife management areas for public access for outdoor recreation and the conservation of natural and cultural resources on these lands. BCRWBA, Inc.’s mission is to present and interpret the history, scientific, and culture of the area as it is reflected in its heritage of significant Revolutionary War period sites and resources by encouraging the permanent preservation of the site of the Brier Creek Battle, its natural history, and related resources. Through exhibits, educational programs, and interpretation, the value of this heritage and its meaning and orientation to present-day life will be presented. It is considered that cultural, history-related, recreational opportunities can be most effectively increased by the construction and maintenance of the onsite memorial site area through cooperative efforts of the Georgia DNR’s WRD and BCRWBA, Inc.

BCRWBA, Inc. has made the following commitments relative to the restoration and maintenance of the Brier Creek battlefield memorial and the planned entrance:

• The association will make initial assessment of current condition and plan its future needs and conduct annual assessments;

• will restore the memorial area;

• will mow and trim at least twice a month;

• will install a lighted flagpole and base surrounded by pavers and replace the national ensign as needed;

• will install a granite marker engraved with the names of the units engaged in the battle;

• and will erect a National Park Service-type panel with a multi-colored map illustrating the current understanding of the course of the battle and placement of units.

Additionally, an appropriate entrance sign is being designed and will be installed by the association at the junction of Brannen’s Bridge Road and the main road into the battlefield.

Aside from this agreement, BCRWBA, Inc. has been in touch with the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) about making and erecting battlefield direction signs on all roads in the area of the battlefield. Since the signing of the agreement, DOT called the association last week and informed its associates that signs had been erected in Screven County.

BCRWBA, Inc. will hold its third annual banquet on the evening of Friday, March 4, 2022 at a location to be announced in Screven County.

Its first semi-annual banquet took place Thursday, September 16, 2021 at the Reynolds Clubhouse in Swainsboro. (A story about this event can be found elsewhere inside this edition of The Crossroads.)

The second semi-annual banquet will be held Thursday night, September 15, 2022 in Statesboro.

If you are interested in assisting and would like to become a member of the Brier Creek Revolutionary War Battlefield Association, Inc., contact Membership Chair Sandy Mercer at 478-232-7280 or e-mail him at sanders.mercer@gmail.com. The only membership requirement is that you be interested.