American Battlefield Trust — May 2021

Originally published May 2021 · pp. 38–39

Annual Conference Postponed for 2021 The ongoing restrictions on large public gatherings in Virginia, plus uncertainties related to the status of key facilities have necessitated the difficult decision for the Trust to delay its scheduled Annual Conference in Chantilly. The event will now be held May 11-15, 2022. “As eager as our board and staff are to gather on battlefields with our devoted members, we determined that the hurdles to holding the high-quality events for which we are known were insurmountable,” said Trust President David Duncan. “Health and safety remain our top priorities, but even as the public health crisis begins to abate through vaccination, considerations remain that we know would significantly impact the guest experience in an unacceptable way.” As we have done throughout the past year, some planned content will transition into virtual sessions. In lieu of large-scale battlefield tours typically held at the Conference, the Trust is inaugurating a series of smaller popup tours that will be held on various battlefields throughout the spring and summer months. Our hope is to offer these with greater geographic diversity than we could at a single member event. Full details are available at www. battlefields.org/events.

Bentonville’s First Day Battlefield Edges Closer to Completion The Trust’s ongoing fight to save this nation’s hallowed grounds has resulted in yet another preservation victory: Six acres at the Bentonville Battlefield in Johnston County, N.C. The saved land played a vital role in the initial fighting on March 19, 1865, and brings preservation of the first-day’sbattlegroundever-closer to completion. The Battle of Bentonville, the largest battle ever fought in North Carolina, was the catalyst for the last series of standoffs between Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman and Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s Army of Tennessee. At this critical site, the Confederates charged on with determination running through their veins, as they took the first steps in their final stand. The six newly-saved acres helped set the stage for the following two days of fierce fighting at Bentonville. The two now-preserved properties witnessed action initiated by Confederate forces as they launched assaults and maneuveredagainstUniontroops. Regardless of what was thrown against them, the Federals held their ground. The first day’s battle resulted in a tactical draw; however, by the battle’s end the Union would ultimately claim victory and guide the Western Theater’s Civil War toward its end. Preservation of this acreage drew the support of both crucial Trust members and the American Battlefield Protection Program. The properties have not only been secured; they are already transferred to the State of North Carolina for incorporation into Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site. With more than 1,860 acres of hallowed ground already saved

Bentonville. Photo Steve Stanley.

by the Trust at Bentonville, the organization continues to march toward the comprehensive preservation of the first day’s battle and aims to protect even more land integral to the Civil War’s Western Theater.

Saving Fredericksburg’s Slaughter Pen Farm: 15 Years Later On March 29, 2006, the Trust announced that it was launching the most ambitions private battlefield preservation effort in American history: Saving the Slaughter Pen Farm at Fredericksburg, Va. For the past 15 years the Trust has relied on its members to help meet its annual commitment of $300,000 to ensure preservation of 208 acres of Virginia farmland that, on Dec. 13, 1862, became known forever after as “the Slaughter Pen Farm.” Until the remaining debt of $2.7 million is paid off completely, this hallowed ground is not truly “saved.” When the site was put up for sale on the open real estate market, it was advertised as the “prime light industrial development site in the

Commonwealth of Virginia,” with a purchase price of $12 million. This is not just the place where the Battle of Fredericksburg was decided, or where 9,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured; it was also the scene of five acts of valor recognized with the Medal of Honor. Slaughter Pen Farm was clearly worth protecting at all costs. So, despite the alarming price tag, the Trust took a calculated risk and moved forward with the largest private battlefield purchase in America’s history; it remains the most expensive transaction the organization has ever attempted. In the process, we utilized resources ranging from federal matching funds to Virginia tax credits, as well as donations from generous members and an ambitious $1 million pledge from our friends at the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust. Throughout the preservation process, the Trust has

demonstrated creative thinking, from approaching a preservation-friendly local development firm to aid in purchase negotiations to taking advantage of economic conditions to refinance our loan and save significantly on interest payments. Today, the Slaughter Pen Farm has become a valuable community resource, especially popular during the past year when social distancing increased desire for outdoor recreation. History enthusiasts and dog-walking neighbors enjoy the Trust’s interpretive trails in equal measure. Military units on educational staff rides admire the restoration work undertaken to remove disused modern buildings and return the landscape to its wartime appearance. Happy couples use the stunning backdropforengagementphotos. To date, the Trust has paid off more than 75 percent of the debt, but another six years remain before the loan is paid in full, and the Trust’s annual payment is currently scheduled to go up to $400,000 per year beginning in 2022. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary for Slaughter Pen Farm, we ask members to consider a gift to help us complete the project and protect this critical land for all time.

Esteemed Philanthropist Embraces South Carolina’s Captivating Past Recently, the Trust, in partnership with the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust, announced that the South Carolina-based Darla Moore Foundation granted $300,000 to the Palmetto State’s Liberty Trail initiative. A project launched in 2019 to highlight the state’s Revolutionary past, The Liberty Trail endeavors to ensure permanent protection of battlefield sites and to provide interpretation through onsite signage, a mobile app, and other digital tools. Once completed, it is expected to draw nearly 100,000 new visits, annually, to constituent sites. The expected influx of heritage tourism has the potential to not only expand interest in South Carolina’s Revolutionary connections, but also the state’s pivotal role during the Civil War. South Carolina’s already robust offering of Civil War historical sites had set the course for the state as a history lover’s playground, but The Liberty Trail and its additions will advance that position. Research by the National Park Service and Trust also shows that preserved parklands provide demonstrable economic impact,and furthermore, the Darla Moore

Foundation recognizes the great financial opportunity that tourism can bring to South Carolina’s rural communities.

Last call for 2021-2022 Youth Leadership Team Applications Ambitious young history lovers are invited to apply ship in the American Battlefield

Trust’s Youth Leadership Team.

This competitively selected,

The academic-year-long program will position members to seek out adventure, creativity, an expanded network and a greater understanding of both the American past and the present-day efforts to preserve it. Benefits include all-expenses paid travel (with relevant guidelines respected) to Washington, D.C., for a training session and Youth Lobby Day, as well as an off-site trip to the Trust’s Annual Conference, the perfect opportunity to network with our nation’s leaders in historic preservation. All members will complete capstone preservation, education, or visitation projects in their communities, and develop content for the Trust’s website and social media channels. Throughout their time in the program, members will receive training in leadership, program management, lobbying, media relations, and fundraising. If you know a student interested inparticipating,pleaseencourage them to apply and learn more at: www.battlefield.org/youth-leadership-team-2021-2022-application.

The Timeless Spirit of Park Day For 25 years, the Trust’s Park Day has offered volunteers of all ages the opportunity to give back to their communities by helping maintain battlefields and historic sites integral to our American story. While many events were held on April 10, 2021, the spirit of Park Day lives year-round. A number of sites have established alternative dates to take advantage of weather conditions and to adhere to local public health guidelines. Please check to see if further volunteer opportunities exist near you. For more information, please visit www.battlefields.org/parkday.