There are still a few tickets available! Come to the Longstreet Symposium the weekend of November 14th! For more information, visit the 2009 Seminar Page.
See you there!
Battlefield Journal
See you there!
Battlefield Journal
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Congress Allocates $9M for Civil War Battlefields
The Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) today applauded members of the U.S. House and Senate for including the largest ever single-year allocation for the federal Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Interior Appropriations Act Conference Report (H Rept 111-316).
The conference report, scheduled for a final vote in both chambers later this week, includes $9 million for the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program, a mechanism that utilizes government matching grants and private funds to permanently protect historic Civil War battlefields throughout the nation.
"This is tremendous news that could not come at a more critical time," said CWPT President James Lighthizer. Each day 30 acres of hallowed Civil War battlefield ground are paved over and lost forever. This money will allow us to preserve historic land that would otherwise be lost to development and urban sprawl."
The Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program targets priority unprotected Civil War sites outside National Park Service boundaries. The program's matching grants formula encourages state and private sector investment in historic land preservation. For example, in 2008 the Virginia General Assembly set aside $5.2 million to match federal Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program monies. Grants from the program are competitively awarded by the American Battlefield Protection Program, an arm of the National Park Service.
Since its creation in 1999, the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program has been used to protect more than 15,000 acres of hallowed ground at 60 battlefields in 14 states. Among the sites saved as a result of this program are historic properties at Antietam and South Mountain, Md.; Champion Hill, Miss.; Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and Manassas, Va.; Chattanooga and Fort Donelson, Tenn.; and Harpers Ferry, W.Va. The program is funded through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Although numerous members of the House and Senate have played important roles in ensuring the program's continued success, the following individuals were pivotal in securing this year's unprecedented federal commitment to battlefield preservation: Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairs Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Norm Dicks (D-WA); Senators Jim Webb (D-VA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Jeff Sessions (R-AL); and Congressmen, Bart Gordon (D-TN), Steve Israel (D-NY), Gary Miller (R-CA) and C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger (D-MD). In addition, 16 Senators and 29 Member of Congress signed letters of support for the program earlier this year.
"It is welcome news that our $9 million funding request for battlefield preservation was accepted in the Interior Appropriations bill," said Senator Webb. "As America prepares for the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Civil War, it is more important than ever that we preserve these landmarks for future generations to learn about the history of our nation."
Senator Alexander concurred, saying, "The Civil War was a heartbreaking time in our history that we should never forget. Protecting our Civil War battlefields and historic sites is important both to honor the thousands who fought and to allow future generations to learn their heritage by visiting sites like Shiloh, Lookout Mountain, Fort Donelson and Parker's Crossroads. I'm glad to see that this funding was included to support this important program."
"America's Civil War battlefields are part of our nation's rich heritage, but sadly thousands of acres of battlefields are being lost every year. It is incumbent upon all of us to ensure our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to visit these sacred grounds and experience part of history," remarked Congressman Ruppersberger.
This vision was also shared by Congressman Miller, who first introduced legislation authorizing the program in 2002. Miller noted, "I have been a long time advocate for preservation of our nation's historic battlefields. These battlefields offer a porthole to the past. The vivid imagery of an epic conflict can remind visitors of the struggles our country has gone through to preserve the banner of liberty and justice for all."
Like Senator Webb, Lighthizer also stressed that the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Civil War presents an ideal time to redouble efforts to protect this hallowed ground. "I can think of no more fitting - and lasting - tribute during this sesquicentennial commemoration than to preserve the places where these brave soldiers fought and bled."
The Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program was reauthorized in March 2009 as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (PL 111-11). The legislation, introduced in the Senate by Senators Webb and Sessions and in the House by Congressmen Miller, Israel and Gordon, reauthorized the program for $10 million a year for five years. The popular bill enjoyed considerable bipartisan support, earning 33 cosponsors in the Senate and 108 cosponsors in the House.
With 55,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation's remaining Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism. The CWPT website is located at www.civilwar.org.
The conference report, scheduled for a final vote in both chambers later this week, includes $9 million for the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program, a mechanism that utilizes government matching grants and private funds to permanently protect historic Civil War battlefields throughout the nation.
"This is tremendous news that could not come at a more critical time," said CWPT President James Lighthizer. Each day 30 acres of hallowed Civil War battlefield ground are paved over and lost forever. This money will allow us to preserve historic land that would otherwise be lost to development and urban sprawl."
The Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program targets priority unprotected Civil War sites outside National Park Service boundaries. The program's matching grants formula encourages state and private sector investment in historic land preservation. For example, in 2008 the Virginia General Assembly set aside $5.2 million to match federal Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program monies. Grants from the program are competitively awarded by the American Battlefield Protection Program, an arm of the National Park Service.
Since its creation in 1999, the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program has been used to protect more than 15,000 acres of hallowed ground at 60 battlefields in 14 states. Among the sites saved as a result of this program are historic properties at Antietam and South Mountain, Md.; Champion Hill, Miss.; Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and Manassas, Va.; Chattanooga and Fort Donelson, Tenn.; and Harpers Ferry, W.Va. The program is funded through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Although numerous members of the House and Senate have played important roles in ensuring the program's continued success, the following individuals were pivotal in securing this year's unprecedented federal commitment to battlefield preservation: Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairs Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Norm Dicks (D-WA); Senators Jim Webb (D-VA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Jeff Sessions (R-AL); and Congressmen, Bart Gordon (D-TN), Steve Israel (D-NY), Gary Miller (R-CA) and C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger (D-MD). In addition, 16 Senators and 29 Member of Congress signed letters of support for the program earlier this year.
"It is welcome news that our $9 million funding request for battlefield preservation was accepted in the Interior Appropriations bill," said Senator Webb. "As America prepares for the 150th anniversary commemoration of the Civil War, it is more important than ever that we preserve these landmarks for future generations to learn about the history of our nation."
Senator Alexander concurred, saying, "The Civil War was a heartbreaking time in our history that we should never forget. Protecting our Civil War battlefields and historic sites is important both to honor the thousands who fought and to allow future generations to learn their heritage by visiting sites like Shiloh, Lookout Mountain, Fort Donelson and Parker's Crossroads. I'm glad to see that this funding was included to support this important program."
"America's Civil War battlefields are part of our nation's rich heritage, but sadly thousands of acres of battlefields are being lost every year. It is incumbent upon all of us to ensure our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to visit these sacred grounds and experience part of history," remarked Congressman Ruppersberger.
This vision was also shared by Congressman Miller, who first introduced legislation authorizing the program in 2002. Miller noted, "I have been a long time advocate for preservation of our nation's historic battlefields. These battlefields offer a porthole to the past. The vivid imagery of an epic conflict can remind visitors of the struggles our country has gone through to preserve the banner of liberty and justice for all."
Like Senator Webb, Lighthizer also stressed that the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Civil War presents an ideal time to redouble efforts to protect this hallowed ground. "I can think of no more fitting - and lasting - tribute during this sesquicentennial commemoration than to preserve the places where these brave soldiers fought and bled."
The Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program was reauthorized in March 2009 as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (PL 111-11). The legislation, introduced in the Senate by Senators Webb and Sessions and in the House by Congressmen Miller, Israel and Gordon, reauthorized the program for $10 million a year for five years. The popular bill enjoyed considerable bipartisan support, earning 33 cosponsors in the Senate and 108 cosponsors in the House.
With 55,000 members, CWPT is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation's remaining Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism. The CWPT website is located at www.civilwar.org.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sickles to be Topic of Presentation
The National Civil War Museum, in conjunction with Camp Curtin Historical Society, today announced that James Hessler will be visiting the Museum on Sunday, November 8, 2009 for a presentation and book signing for his new book, Sickles At Gettysburg: The Controversial Civil War General Who Committed Murder, Abandoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself the Hero of Gettysburg.
Hessler’s presentation will begin at 2:00pm, with a book signing to follow. Hessler, a licensed Gettysburg battlefield guide, examines many of the controversies surrounding Dan Sickles, including the murder of Philip Barton Key, a questionable promotion to command the III Corps, his abandonment of Little Round Top at Gettysburg, his wounding at Trostle Farm and his efforts to regain his reputation.
The presentation is free to the public; however, regular Museum admission prices will apply for those visiting the galleries. Sickles At Gettysburg is available for purchase at The National Civil War Museum gift shop.
About The National Civil War Museum
Opened in February 2001, The National Civil War Museum is a non-profit educational institution dedicated solely to the American Civil War. It is the largest Civil War museum that addresses the war from both the Northern and Southern perspective, and from both a military and civilian perspective. The Museum protects some of the nation's treasures, including General Robert E. Lee's personal Bible, and more than 24,000 artifacts, documents and photos, worth an estimated $20 million. Admission to the Museum is $9.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors, and $7.00 for students with reduced rates for children and families. The Museum offers complimentary ample parking. For more information, please call 717.260.1861, or visit the Museum’s website at www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
New Guided Bus Tour of Antietam--Limited Availability
The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is chartering two buses on December 5, 2009, for the 21st Annual Memorial Illumination at Antietam National Battlefield. One hundred tickets will be sold for the guided bus tour of the event.
"The Antietam Illumination is awe-inspiring. It is a popular event with visitors and residents alike," said CVB President Tom Riford. "We are excited about chartering buses and offering special guided tours of the event. This should be a great trip, and one of the best parts is the opportunity to avoid having to wait in the long line of traffic to get into the battlefield." Riford added. The specially-chartered buses are brought to the front of the staging area, according to organizers of the Illumination.
Charissa Stanton , the CVB's Public Relations Specialist, and Betsy De Vore, Director of Sales for the CVB, will be the tour guides for the evening. They will share a collection of quotes from soldiers and civilians about the Battle of Antietam, as well as an overview of the battle.
In 2007 the CVB offered guided bus tours of the illumination. Initial plans were to charter one bus to see if there was any interest from the public. The CVB ended up chartering a second bus because of the popularity.
“Both buses were filled to capacity and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves immensely,” said De Vore. “It quickly became clear that this was something we should offer every year.”
The American Bus Association (ABA) designated the Antietam Illumination as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2008 by an elite tourism industry selection committee. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations Magazine, indicates that the Annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world.
"The Illumination is a must-see event at Antietam," Stanton said. "It is absolutely breathtaking and the large windows on the charter allow you to see in every direction."
Since 1989 an annual remembrance of the battle of Antietam has been held the first Saturday in December. It is signified by 23,110 luminaries, one placed every 15 feet along a 5 mile route, throughout the fields, and around monuments. Volunteers systematically set up the luminaries throughout the day, and candles are lit starting at 3 p.m. Last year, the National Park Service announced that more than 20,000 people experience the Illumination, from 6 p.m. until midnight.
The annual event is sponsored by the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Antietam National Battlefield, in cooperation with the American Business Women's Association, annually hosts the Annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination in honor of those soldiers who fell during the Battle of Antietam. The event is also known as the largest volunteer single-day event in Western Maryland, with more than 1,200 volunteers setting out the luminaries. The event has been called the largest memorial illumination in North America.
Tickets for the CVB charter buses will be available from the Visitor Welcome Center at 6 North Potomac Street in downtown Hagerstown starting Monday November 2. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children under the age of 10. On the night of December 5, refreshments will be served at the Welcome Center starting at 5:15 p.m. and the bus will depart promptly at 6:00 p.m. In case of inclement weather, refunds will be issued. For more information call 301-791-3246 ext. 10.
To find out more about Hagerstown-Washington County , go to www.marylandmemories.com. For more information about the Annual Memorial Illumination, visit www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/luminary.htm. Washington County is part of the Maryland state-certified Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (www.heartofthecivilwar.org), and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area (http://hallowedground.org). Washington County is also part of the Quad-State Tourism Coalition, a four-state tourism group along I-81. For more information, see: www.quadstate81.com.
"The Antietam Illumination is awe-inspiring. It is a popular event with visitors and residents alike," said CVB President Tom Riford. "We are excited about chartering buses and offering special guided tours of the event. This should be a great trip, and one of the best parts is the opportunity to avoid having to wait in the long line of traffic to get into the battlefield." Riford added. The specially-chartered buses are brought to the front of the staging area, according to organizers of the Illumination.
Charissa Stanton , the CVB's Public Relations Specialist, and Betsy De Vore, Director of Sales for the CVB, will be the tour guides for the evening. They will share a collection of quotes from soldiers and civilians about the Battle of Antietam, as well as an overview of the battle.
In 2007 the CVB offered guided bus tours of the illumination. Initial plans were to charter one bus to see if there was any interest from the public. The CVB ended up chartering a second bus because of the popularity.
“Both buses were filled to capacity and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves immensely,” said De Vore. “It quickly became clear that this was something we should offer every year.”
The American Bus Association (ABA) designated the Antietam Illumination as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2008 by an elite tourism industry selection committee. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations Magazine, indicates that the Annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world.
"The Illumination is a must-see event at Antietam," Stanton said. "It is absolutely breathtaking and the large windows on the charter allow you to see in every direction."
Since 1989 an annual remembrance of the battle of Antietam has been held the first Saturday in December. It is signified by 23,110 luminaries, one placed every 15 feet along a 5 mile route, throughout the fields, and around monuments. Volunteers systematically set up the luminaries throughout the day, and candles are lit starting at 3 p.m. Last year, the National Park Service announced that more than 20,000 people experience the Illumination, from 6 p.m. until midnight.
The annual event is sponsored by the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Antietam National Battlefield, in cooperation with the American Business Women's Association, annually hosts the Annual Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination in honor of those soldiers who fell during the Battle of Antietam. The event is also known as the largest volunteer single-day event in Western Maryland, with more than 1,200 volunteers setting out the luminaries. The event has been called the largest memorial illumination in North America.
Tickets for the CVB charter buses will be available from the Visitor Welcome Center at 6 North Potomac Street in downtown Hagerstown starting Monday November 2. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children under the age of 10. On the night of December 5, refreshments will be served at the Welcome Center starting at 5:15 p.m. and the bus will depart promptly at 6:00 p.m. In case of inclement weather, refunds will be issued. For more information call 301-791-3246 ext. 10.
To find out more about Hagerstown-Washington County , go to www.marylandmemories.com. For more information about the Annual Memorial Illumination, visit www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/luminary.htm. Washington County is part of the Maryland state-certified Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (www.heartofthecivilwar.org), and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area (http://hallowedground.org). Washington County is also part of the Quad-State Tourism Coalition, a four-state tourism group along I-81. For more information, see: www.quadstate81.com.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Gettysburg Foundation Names a New President
The Gettysburg Foundation today announced the selection of Rear Adm. Richard A. Buchanan, USN (ret.) as president. Buchanan will take over for Robert C. Wilburn, who retired from the Foundation this summer. Buchanan begins work on Oct. 19.
“Rear Adm. Buchanan’s experience in the military, in finance and with nonprofit organizations represents the perfect leadership mix for the Gettysburg Foundation,” said Foundation Chairman Robert A. Kinsley. “His skill set is a perfect complement to our unique and important partnership with the National Park Service.”
Buchanan most recently served as the president and chief executive officer of the United States Navy Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C. Before that, he was vice president of undersea systems at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems and has also worked at Electronic Data Systems as the deputy for strategic operations on the Navy Marine Corps Intranet Program. Following his retirement from military duty, Rear Admiral Buchanan was the vice president of corporate services for First National Bank of Omaha and the president of the Midlands Venture Forum in Nebraska and Iowa.
“I am honored to join the team at the Gettysburg Foundation in its important partnership with the National Park Service,” said Buchanan. “Gettysburg’s enduring legacy is an inspiration, and I look forward to working to ensure that that legacy is preserved for future generations.”
“Rear Adm. Buchanan is an excellent choice for the Gettysburg Foundation and a perfect fit for this important partnership at Gettysburg," said Dr. John A. Latschar, Gettysburg National Military Park superintendent.
The Gettysburg Foundation is a private, non-profit educational organization working in partnership with the National Park Service to enhance preservation and understanding of the heritage and lasting significance of Gettysburg. The Foundation raised funds for and now operates the Museum and Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park, which opened in April 2008. In addition to operating the Museum and Visitor Center, the Foundation has a broad preservation mission that includes land, monument and artifact preservation and battlefield rehabilitation—all in support of the National Park Service’s goals at Gettysburg.
For information about the Foundation, about visiting Gettysburg, or how you can become a part of the history of Gettysburg through your contribution, visit www.gettysburgfoundation.org or call 877-874-2478 or the administrative offices at 717-338-1243.
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