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Help Save America's Heritage



Nearly 20 percent of America's Civil War battlefields have already been destroyed -- denied forever to future generations. Of those that remain, only 15 percent are protected as National Parks. There is only one National organization working to save all these battlefields: The Civil War Preservation Trust.

Why Support the Civil War Preservation Trust?

We are Effective
CWPT has saved more than 25,000 acres of Civil War battlefield land. Since 2001, CWPT has saved four times more battlefield land than even the National Park Service. Index of Land Saved

We are Efficient
CWPT has been awarded the highest 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for our financial rigor, and through the innovative use of matching grants, we routinely multiply every $1 donated by our members for land preservation into $3. Read the Charity Navigator report

We are Accountable
Simply put, we do what we say we are going to do. Compare us to other groups you support; success in our mission is tangible, measurable and verifiable. Judge our success by walking every acre of hallowed ground you help save. Our results will last forever.

Also to be Noted...
CWPT doesn’t accept government funds for operating expenses, and because the battlefields are so threatened, we don’t have an endowment to fund – there is no time. All gifts are put to work purchasing and protecting Civil War battlefield land immediately.

Common Questions on Battlefield Preservation:

Q: Haven’t all of the Civil War battlefields been saved already?
A: Actually, only about 20 percent of the actual land upon which the Civil War was fought is currently preserved either by the CWPT or in national, state or local parks – all of the rest of that hallowed ground is either unprotected or has already been destroyed. We are racing the developers to save what is left. Find out about our latest preservation effort.

Q: How much hallowed ground has already been lost?
A: According to a study done by the U.S. Congress, fully 20 percent of the hallowed ground of the Civil War has already been destroyed forever, covered by roads, housing developments and other inappropriate development. Battlefields such as Chantilly, in Virginia, Murfreesborough in Tennessee, and the battles around Atlanta in Georgia are gone forever. See List of Lost Sites

Q: How quickly are we losing key battlefield sites?
A: At current rates of development and with rapidly increasing land prices, our nation loses approximately one acre of hallowed ground every hour. We calculate that the fate of the remaining unprotected ground will be determined within the next five to fifteen years, depending on its location.

More Q&A on Battlefield Preservation