Civil War Trust Gathers in Gettysburg to Announce National Sesquicentennial Preservation Initiative

For Immediate Release

June 21, 2011

For more information, contact:
Jim Campi, (202) 367-1861 x7205
Mary Koik, (202) 367-1861 x7231


MEDIA ADVISORY:
CIVIL WAR TRUST GATHERS IN GETTYSBURG TO ANNOUNCE NATIONAL SESQUICENTENNIAL PRESERVATION INITIATIVE

(Gettysburg, Pa.) – On Thursday, June 30, the eve of the anniversary of the Civil War’s bloodiest battle, officials from the Civil War Trust will gather in Gettysburg to announce the start of an ambitious national fundraising initiative that, if successful, will permanently protect an unprecedented amount of hallowed ground during the Civil War sesquicentennial commemoration.

Called “Campaign 150: Our Time, Our Legacy,” the initiative will seek to permanently preserve 20,000 acres of battlefield land before the conclusion of the Civil War’s 150th  anniversary commemoration.  Doing so will allow the Trust to eclipse the 50,000-acre mark for total battlefield land set aside for future generations to learn from and enjoy.

Joining Civil War Trust president James Lighthizer at the news conference will be two tireless advocates for battlefield preservation:  country music superstar Trace Adkins and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian James McPherson.

The announcement of the national fundraising campaign will be made at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 30 in Schmuker Grove on the grounds of the historic Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg.  The seminary is an important landmark on the first day’s battlefield.

WHO:  Civil War Trust President James Lighthizer, country superstar Trace Adkins, and historian James McPherson

WHAT: Announcement of “Campaign 150,” the Civil War Trust’s national sesquicentennial preservation initiative.

WHEN: June 30, 2011 at 10 a.m. ET

WHERE: Schmucker Grove at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pa.
 
The Civil War Trust is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States.  Its goal is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War sites and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism.  To date, the Trust has preserved more than 30,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states.  Please visit the Trust’s website at www.civilwar.org, the home of the Civil War sesquicentennial.