Roughly seven years ago, as I was planning for the launch of The Civil War Monitor, one of my most important calls was to a longtime acquaintance at the Civil War Preservation Trust. I knew I wanted the Monitor to feature regular updates on efforts to protect Civil War battlefields across the country, and there was no one better versed in those ongoing battles than the folks at the Trust. The result of our discussions was the “Preservation” column that’s appeared in our pages since our first issue, a space that’s been consistently popular with our readers—reflecting their deep interest in the Trust’s important mission.
That mission expanded four years ago, when the Trust began helping to protect land relating not only to the Civil War, but also to the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Saving sites connected to these earlier conflicts in American history has in turn helped accelerate the preservation of Civil War battlefield land, the Trust’s original task.
In May, the Trust underwent an even bigger change with the creation of a new umbrella organization, the American Battlefield Trust, under which the Civil War Trust and newly formed Revolutionary War Trust will operate. And while the company’s name has changed, its commitment to Civil War battlefield preservation remains ironclad. We hope you’ll continue to support the Trust’s efforts to protect America’s hallowed grounds—an undertaking that’s more important than ever. Learn more about how you can help at their website, battlefields.org.
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Another change I’m happy to announce is the debut of a new recurring column, “Public History” (p. 28), devoted to issues relating to public history, or the practice of history in museums, parks, historical societies, or anywhere outside of traditional academic settings. In the first installment, The American Civil War Museum’s John Coski writes about the many challenges—some old, some new—facing public historians, in particular those devoted to interpreting the Civil War. For fans of Jenny Johnston’s “Living History” or Megan Kate Nelson’s “Stereoscope” columns, not to worry—you’ll see both again soon.
