Guide to the Emanuel “Tersh” Boasberg Papers

This finding aid describes the Emanuel “Tersh” Boasberg Papers, part of the Manassas National Battlefield Park Museum Collection. For access to the collection or for more information, contact the park's custodial officer.

Collection Overview

Collection Number: MANA 22768
Creator: Emanuel “Tersh” Boasberg
Title: Emanuel “Tersh” Boasberg Papers
Dates: 1973-1991 (bulk dates: 1988)
Volume of Collection: 1 LF
Language of Materials: English

Digitized Copies: This collection has not been digitized

Conditions Governing Access: This collection is open for research use. Some material may be restricted for Personally Identifiable Information (PII). See the NPS general copyright & restrictions information.
Provenance: The collection was donated to the National Park Service by Emanuel “Tersh” Boasberg on August 6, 2002.
Processing Note: This collection was minimally processed and described by Willem Kalbach in 2021.

Rights Statements for Archival Description: This is in the public domain.
Preferred Citation: Emanuel “Tersh” Boasberg Papers, Manassas National Battlefield Park (MANA 22768)
Location of Repository: Manassas National Battlefield Park, 12521 Lee Highway, Manassas, VA 20109

Related Materials:

• Annie Snyder Collection, Manassas National Battlefield Park (MANA 22773)
• Preservation Action Records, University of Maryland Special Collections and University Archives

Biographical Note

Emanuel “Tersh” Boasberg III (1930-present) received his B.A. from Yale University and J.D. from Harvard Law School, later working as a solo practitioner lawyer in Washington, D.C. and specializing in historic preservation and land use law. In 1988, Boasberg offered his legal services as a pro-bono attorney to the Save the Battlefield Coalition and aided in its 1988 Manassas battlefield preservation legal battle against developer Hazel/Peterson. Hazel/Peterson, managed in part by John T. “Til” Hazel, had attempted to build the “William Center”, a proposed mixed use development containing housing, offices, and a shopping mall, on the Stuart’s Hill tract, which played a role in the Battle of Second Manassas (Second Bull Run). The tract and surrounding areas were also subject to several land development controversies in the mid to late 20th century. In response to the William Center, the Coalition secured Congressional support and more than 80,000 petition signatures. President Ronald Reagan signed the legislation on November 10, 1988 (Public Law 100-647), which allocated $120 million to purchase the land.

After the death of Save the Battlefield Coalition founder and Chair Annie Snyder in July 2002, Tersh Boasberg donated the records and correspondence maintained at his law office to Manassas National Battlefield Park, where they were accepted by park Museum Specialist James Burgess for their historical importance and potential research value. Aside from his involvement with the Save the Battlefield Coalition, Boasberg has served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center and Goucher College, as chairman and member of the D.C. Zoning Commission from 1989-1993, chairman of the non-profit Committee of 100 on the Federal City, and chairman of the Washington, D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board from 2000-2011. He also founded, chaired, and served as general counsel to the historic preservation lobbying group Preservation Action as well as founded and presided over the Cleveland Park Historical Society. Boasberg also played a role in the preservation of the Brandy Station battlefield in Culpeper, Virginia.

Sources:

"Emanuel "Tersh" Boasberg III," American Battlefield Trust, last modified November 14, 2023, https://www.battlefields.org/preserve/hall-of-fame/emanuel-boasberg-iii.

"Tersh Boasberg," Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, last modified August 18, 2022, https://www.achp.gov/initiatives/tersh-boasberg.

Scope and Content Note

The Emanuel “Tersh” Boasberg papers consist of personal papers and documents created or acquired by Boasberg and his law practice in relation to the Save the Battlefield Coalition’s legal battle to protect the Manassas battlefield, other historic preservation efforts, and Congressional responses to the efforts. Boasberg served as a pro-bono attorney to the Coalition during their 1988 legal battle.

Materials consist of correspondence, research and reference materials, maps, newspaper clippings, petitions, promotional materials, testimonies, subject files and other professional records. Correspondence comes from Boasberg as well as members of congress, government officials, activists including Annie Snyder, supporters, and subject experts including Civil War historians.

Arrangement

Organized into one series.

Series I. General Records

Series I: General Records

Volume of Series: 1 LF
Arranged generally by subject.

Scope and Content Note

This series contains correspondence, research and reference files, maps, newspaper clippings, petitions, promotional materials, testimonies, subject files and other professional records gathered and maintained in Tersh Boasberg’s legal assistance to the Save the Battlefield Coalition.

Container List

BOX 01
Folder 01: Hazel/Peterson and William Center, 1973-1988
Folder 02: Save the Battlefield Coalition, 1985-1994
Folder 03: Early Fights, 1973-1980
Folder 04: Congressional Hearings, May 1988
Folder 05: Senate Hearings, September 1988
Folder 06: Senate Action, June-December 1988
Folder 07: Economic Development, 1988
Folder 08: Environmental – Wetlands/Army Corps/EPA, 1987-1988
Folder 09: Transportation – Road and Bypass, 1977-1988
Folder 10: I-66 and FHWA, January-September 1988
Folder 11: Mrazak I-66, July-August 1988
Folder 12: Interior Department Compromise Proposal, February-May 1988
Folder 13: Presidential Campaigns – Correspondence, July-October 1988
Folder 14: Correspondence and Thanks, 1988
Folder 15: IRS File, July 21, 1988
Folder 16: Maps File, 1973-1988
Folder 17: History – National Register, 1973-1988
Folder 18: Press – Local, 1988
Folder 19: Press – Manassas Articles, March-December 1988
Folder 20: Press – Washington Post/National [1 of 2], 1988-1991
Folder 21: Press – Washington Post/National [2 of 2], 1988-1991
Folder 22: Press – Cartoons, February-September 1988

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