Raid at Martin's Station Committee

The Wilderness Road/Martin’s Station Committee organizes SAR activities located at the Wilderness Road State Park and coordinates SAR participation in the annual commemorative events held at the park the second weekend of May. The Wilderness Road State Park lies astride the Wilderness Road that winds down the valley in one of the westernmost settlements in the Commonwealth of Virginia, before reaching the Cumberland Gap and the borders with Kentucky and Tennessee.

Daniel Boone carved the Wilderness Road in 1775 and by 1800 over 300,000 settlers traveled the Road westward through Cumberland Gap. Joseph Martin was the first settler in this area, arriving on March 26, 1769. Martin abandoned the area after an attack by Native American forces that fall, but returned in January 1775. 

Committee

  • Thomas R. Coker (Chair; Martin's Station), [email protected]
  • William M. Cheak (Martin's Station)
  • J. Barney Penley (Jamestown HQ)
  • James D. Stallard (Jamestown HQ)

The Paul M. Franz and Charlotte H. Philen Historical Observance - Memorial Trust Fund

The Franz/Philen Trust Fund supports the Wilderness Road State Park. During the annual re-enactment of the Raid on Martin's Station, the SAR flag is flown at the Wilderness Road State Park and the Virginia Society leads the opening program. The fund is managed by the Franz/Philen Trust Fund Committee.

Virginia SAR compatriots and the general public are encouraged to support the Franz/Philen Fund. Your contributions enrich the SAR support for the Raid at Martin's Station re-enactment program and historical observances enjoyed by the general public.


State-level donations designated to benefit the Franz/Philen Fund shall be given a rank in the Virginia Society First Virginia Regiment, based on the level of the contribution.

Resources