The Civil War TrustThe historic Dogan House, located near the “Deep Cut” on the Second Manassas battlefield, is part of the Civil War Trust’s latest acquisition.
To mark the sesquicentennial anniversary of the American Civil War, the Civil War Trust recently unveiled an ambitious national campaign that aims to permanently protect 20,000 acres of battlefield land over the next five years. Campaign 150: Our Time, Our Legacy kicked off with an event held at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg on June 30. Announcing the project was Civil War Trust chairman Henry Simpson, who was joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Battle Cry of Freedom James McPherson and the organization’s newest trustee, country music superstar Trace Adkins.
The Civil War Trust is the largest nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation of America’s endangered Civil War battlefields. Its goal is to preserve the nation’s Civil War sites and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism. To date, the Trust has preserved more than 30,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states. Its commitment to conscientious stewardship and fiscal responsibility has led to the organization regularly receiving the coveted Four Star ranking from the nonprofit watchdog group Charity Navigator and a Best in America rating by the Independent Charities of America.
Adkins suggested that the sesquicentennial is the ideal time to redouble battlefield preservation efforts: “No other outcome of this anniversary period could be more appropriate than setting aside the blood-soaked battlegrounds of that conflict as permanent memorials to the courage and sacrifice of our ancestors. This is the type of lasting legacy each of us can take pride in, and I am proud to be a part of such a noble and patriotic effort.”
McPherson stressed that, even beyond the anniversary, time is of the essence. “With an average of 30 acres of battlefield land lost each day, now is the time for a major preservation initiative,” he said. “If successful, Campaign 150 will have allowed us to set aside those landscapes that future generations will require in order to gain a full understanding of the Civil War. This project will enable us to substantively complete protection of many of the conflict’s storied fields.”
In order to protect such a tremendous amount of land, the Trust must raise $40 million from the private sector. These funds will be leveraged with government grants and foundation and corporate support to purchase battlefield ground at fair market value or place it under permanent conservation easements.
Aiding the Trust in its efforts to protect this priceless nineteenth-century history is twenty-first-century technology—cellular phones. Individuals can contribute directly to the Trust’s mission by text message, making a donation anytime and anywhere. When you text “civilwar” to 50555, a $10 charge will appear on your wireless bill or be deducted from your prepaid account balance.
O. James Lighthizer is president emeritus of the nonprofit, nonpartisan American Battlefield Trust, which is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds—Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War—and educating the public about their significance.
