I have been a member of the Civil War Trust for more than 12 years – my wife for more than five. Being a member has been a wonderful way for me to satisfy an interest I first developed as a child in the Civil War and to insure that the history we’re passionate about is preserved for future generations. The Trust’s work to preserve a site serves to inform members and the public (through the web site) of what took place (through histories and educational tools such as battle maps) and usually matches the financial contributions of their members with government funding.
The matching government funding that has been reallocated by Congress several times over a number of years is an acknowledgement of the important role that private funding provided by the Trust and others plays during a time of restricted government spending. It allows the CWT to save battlefields from development, an especial threat now in times of economic recovery and increased development. Robert Sykes

In 2009, we took our first road trip to visit as many Civil and Revolutionary War battlefields and national parks as possible. Our home being in California, it was a major cross-country road trip. On top of that, I was a few-months-old naturalized American citizen, which meant that I had a staggeringly steep learning curve! As you may have guessed, the citizenship test covers only the very basics. Luckily, the Civil War Trust Web site was right there for me to peruse. I can’t say that when we left home, I was as knowledgeable as my husband, but it was clear to me that the Civil War Trust Web site could be educational to not only kids in school but also middle-aged naturalized American citizens like me! So thank you, Civil War Trust! Kyoko Ito

I developed a fervent interest in the Civil War as a child when Life magazine published a series on the centennial. I have continued to read avidly and broadened my interest in the conflict by touring many of the battlefields with my wife.
The CWT offers me an extremely gratifying way of saving this part of our country's history by increasing the number and acreage of preserved battlefields and preventing the threat of encroaching development. Their success in leveraging additional funding to match members' contributions has accentuated the battlefields saved and subsequently the War's legacy for all of us.