Three Cheers for American Battlefield Trust’s Fir When the American Battlefield Trust announces “victory,” the term signals the completion of a long series of actions taken to save sacred battlefield acreage. The process begins with research to document the historic actions that took place on the land, proceeds through the determination of legal underpinnings, and detailed negotiations with landowners. It includes consultation wit local groups and decision-makers, complex applications for matching grants, and a public campaign to solicit private donations. It doesn’t conclude until all necessary funds, includin awarded grants, are received and the land is fully paid for. In recognition of National Historic Preservation Month, the Trust declared the period following May 10 it’s first-ever Victor Week. Through a series of emails and live video sessions with members, we shared behind-thescenes glimpses of that long process and revealed a diverse round up of recent preservation victories, some 633 acres at ten battlefields in six states. This mig roster included Averasboro, N.C.; Brice’s Cross Roads, Miss.; Cedar Creek, Va.; Parker’s Cross Roads, Tenn.; Parker’s Ferry, S.C.; Port

Brices Cross Roads. Photo by Mike 1, 14 G – American Battlefield

27th Annual Gettysburg Section In America’s Monthly New

“Victory Week” Royal, S.C.; Sailor’s Creek, Va.; Wilson’s Creek, Mo.; and White Oak Road, Va. To cap off the week, the organ zation reminded its members that claiming “victory” on a property does not simply equate to saying goodbye. At times, it’s just the ginning of enacting a new vision for the property through stewardship operations. This can include ongoing maintenance and interpretation, either with physical o site signs or digital products or some cases, restoration to transport the land back in time to its historic appearance. To receive clarity on “What Goes into an American Battlefield Trust Land Preservati Victory?” and learn more about these recent victories, visit www battlefields.org.

The Trust Lauds Inclusion of USCT Sites on Annual Preservation Virginia ‘Endangered’ List

Highlighting history’s under-told stories, Preservation Virginia included a listing of Civil War Battlefields at which United States Colored Troops (USCT) fought within its 2021

report on the Commonwealth’s Most Endangered Histor Places. Released on May 11, this 10-part annual listing is connect ed to a program stretching across two decades. The report specifically cites New Market Heights, a battlefield the Trust is steadily working to protect and subsequently examining for interpretive opportunities, as well as St. Mary’ Samaria Church Battlefield, which is threatened by expansion of an existing landfill. It right notes that: “Educating the public about these battlefields and the contributions of the USCT, and investments at the federal, state and local levels is necessary to help illuminate these diverse sto ries of resilience, bravery, and empowerment that have been excluded from the traditional Civil War narrative.” “The story of New Market Heights is remarkable, and yet to few Americans know about the day on which 14 Black soldiers re ceived the Medal of Honor,” said Trust president David Duncan.

“Nor is it the only example of such bravery that we can elevate 34 G – Events

and spotlight through preservation. The American Battlefield Trust is committed to uplifting the memory of the 200,000 Black soldiers who fought to create a more perfect to Union during th nation’s first century.”

Discover “How We Became America” with the Trust’s Latest YouthFocused Civics & History Video Series

An attempt to go beyond the typical American history textbook and achieve a fuller narra tive of how this nation was est lished as a grand experiment in representative democracy, freedoms hard-won on the battlefiel and enshrined in our founding documents and civic infrastructure, is the subject of How We Became America: The Untold History. The new, 15-part video series created by the Trust in nership with the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement

(DFI), will have episodes debut ing weekly through Independence Day. “History is full of elements 0 – The Source

woven together and intrinsicall linked, making long ago events like the Revolutionary War and Constitutional Convention relevant today,” said Trust Preside David Duncan. “This series is d signed to show how those thread connect in a compelling narrative, allowing new generations see their lives and experiences flected in events of the past.” Filled with eye-catching animation based on iconic period images, How We Became America: The Untold History is a 15-part project included with in DFI’s larger Untold initiative, produced and distributed by Makematic and the University of Southern California’s Center for Engagement-Driven Global Education (EDGE). “The philosophy behind Untol is that not everything worth knowing exists inside the cover of our history textbooks,” said Patrick Riccards, founder and chief executive officer of DFI.

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