The Unison Preservation Society, Incorporated (UPS) is a not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation registered in Virginia. The articles of incorporation state the purpose of the corporation as follows:

“The Corporation is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including but not limited to educating the public, promoting an appreciation of history, and otherwise benefitting the public by preserving, promoting and fostering the natural character and the historic architectural and cultural qualities and resources of the areas in and around Unison, Virginia.”

UPS was formed in 2001 and is administered by a small board of directors made up of local residents. It is funded through membership dues and donations from local residents and supporters and an annual Heritage Day event.

Some of the activities undertaken by UPS include:

• Successfully defeated a proposed housing subdivision by convincing the developer to put the land under conservation easement
• Promoted easements to permanently protect the historic and scenic Piedmont area around Unison, making it now one of the best protected historic places in Virginia
• Researched the Civil War Battle of Unison and won three federal grants from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program to map and study the 1862 battle and then to nominate the 8,000-acre battlefield to the National Register of Historic Places and Virginia Landmarks Register. It will stretch from Philomont through Unison to Upperville
• Led efforts to preserve and enhance the village such as tree planting and annual clean up days
• Helped create new Loudoun County laws governing unregulated alternative septic systems. Virginia enacted state regulations the following year. The work by the small nonprofit caused local newspapers to dub UPS “the Mouse that Roared”
• Instituted traffic calming measures around Unison by working to lower speed limits and install stop signs
• Launched village and area street tree planting and beautification programs
• Brought the village and surrounding countryside together with annual Unison fall festivals, road and village clean-up programs, village Christmas Tree and caroling events and newsletters to area residents

UPS has been referred to as the ‘Mouse that roared’ by the media in recognition of our ability to achieve much through a small organization. The support of the people in and around Unison makes this happen and the UPS board of directors appreciates this support.