NEW MARKET, Va.— Terry Heder, the longtime Director of Interpretation, Education, and History with the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, is leaving his full-time position with the organization.

As the SVBF’s mission has evolved, Terry’s duties in recent years have shifted away from the historical, interpretive, partner, and visitor services-related work that first brought him to the organization.  Terry is leaving in order to resume more direct, hands-on work as an historian, interpreter, and writer/editor.

Terry will continue to be involved with and support the Battlefields Foundation, including working as an independent contractor on SVBF projects such as the Third Winchester Digital Map, the new exhibit at the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum, and other historical and interpretive projects.  And Terry’s wife, Kirsten, will continue to work at the SVBF with Donor Engagement.

Terry has worked for the Battlefields Foundation for over 15 years, having joined the Foundation in July 2008.  He oversaw the organization’s historical interpretation, heritage tourism, partnership programs, tours and conferences, and communication efforts.  During the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2009-2015), he served as regional coordinator for Sesquicentennial planning in the Valley and as liaison between state, regional, and local Sesquicentennial groups, helping to plan, present, and promote over 200 programs in the Valley.  While at the Foundation, he helped create and/or produce the Shenandoah At War magazine; the Shenandoah At War visitors guide; the “Shenandoah At War” e-newsletter; 11 battlefield and historic driving tours, and edited the book, Fisher’s Hill: The History and Archeology of a Battlefield.  He wrote the historical content for the One Story: A Thousand Voices exhibit at the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum, developed major exhibits at the Strayer House in New Market and the Highland County Museum in McDowell; battlefield-wide interpretive projects at Third Winchester and Fisher’s Hill; major orientation/ interpretive exhibits at 5 orientation centers and over 50 interpretive markers and 10 orientation kiosks; and interpretive and visitor signage, publications, and digital materials for battlefields and historic sites throughout the Shenandoah Valley.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to work at the Battlefields Foundation,” said Terry.  “I’m proud of what the organization has been able to accomplish, and grateful to have been part of that work.  And I treasure the talented and generous people I’ve worked with along the way, both inside and outside the organization.  I consider myself immensely fortunate.

“And while I’m looking forward to new opportunities, and to the next phase in my career, I’m also glad that I’ll continue to be involved with the Foundation.”

“Over the past 15 years Terry has been invaluable to the Foundation and his work has been critical to our success,” said Keven Walker, Chief Executive Officer of the Battlefields Foundation. “The relationships that he established and the programs that he created launched a new era of battlefield interpretation in the Valley.  He is creative and committed and just absolutely great to work with…we wish him well but we’re going to miss him.”