An historic 175-mile region from Monticello to Gettysburg, which includes Loudoun, was designated as a National Heritage Area yesterday when President Bush signed the legislation that made it official.

Cate Magennis Wyatt, president of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership located in Waterford, said "This designation will not only raise regional and national attention to the area, but also international interest."

This national designation, the 38th of its kind, enables the partnership to receive matching federal funds for education and marketing of the historic area.

A major benefit of the designation, of course, will be an increase in tourism to our area.

In Loudoun alone, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground includes several Civil War sites (Ball's Bluff battlefield, Leesburg's Union Cemetery) and historic homes (Dodona Manor, Oak Hill).

For a complete list of Loudoun sites included in the National Heritage Area, click here.

Cheryl Kilday, president of the Loudoun Convention and Visitors Association said her organization is excited about the opportunities this designation will bring to the county. "The recognition of our heritage, scenic beauty, and stories that visitors can experience is a tremendous endorsement for our destination."

And there's no doubt that being at the mid-point of this historic region -- with Dulles International Airport right here -- makes Loudoun a great base for visitors touring the area.

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground is also reaching out locally.

In a partnership with Loudoun County Public Schools, the organization is offering a fantastic summer program for middle-school students, which will take them hiking, biking, and canoeing at various sites along the 175-mile historic area. The kids will even spend some time with "Gods and Generals" director, Ron Maxwell, who will help them produce a historic documentary of their Extreme Journey camp experience.

Can't get enough JTHG? National Geographic helped the organization create a coffee-table-worthy book entitled "Journey Through Hallowed Ground: Birthplace of the American Ideal".

What's next? Wyatt and Kilday are hoping for a U.S. Department of Transportation All-American Road designation for Rt. 15—which would then deem it a tourist attraction in its own right. Now described as "the spine of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground," Rt. 15 runs north and south through the National Heritage Area.