American Battlefield Trust

The American Battlefield Trust is a very worthy organization. I sincerely believe in preserving hallowed ground and if you are interested in preserving hallowed ground, this is the organization to contribute to.

I first became interested in the American Battlefield Trust when I saw a request to help save land near the Princeton, NJ Revolutionary War battle site. My small part helped to preserve additional acreage at this site and I came to realize how important retaining our history by preserving sites like this was. While there may be organizations that help protect individual sites, the ABT takes in all battlefield areas from the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the American Civil War.
I will continue to support the ABTknowing that my contributions are put to good use.

I have been involved with the Trust and its predecessor organization (the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites) since the late 1980's. It has been a thrilling 35+ year ride; the Trust has accomplished so much more land preservation than I ever imagined could possibly be done. The Trust has filled in the missing unprotected pieces of battlefields as iconic as Antietam, Shiloh and Gettysburg. The Trust has acquired battlefields (such as Glendale) that were completely unprotected. The Trust has reclaimed battlefield land that had been plowed over for development in places like Franklin and Chattanooga. In addition, the Trust has become a force in educating the public about the importance of the battlefields and has been a leading light in making sure that battlefields are not marred by inappropriate development on neighboring tracts of land. I am proud to be a Division Color Bearer in the Trust; every time I visit a portion of a battlefield that I could not walk on before the Trust acquired the land, I get a tremendous sense of satisfaction regarding the tangible results of my donations. If you are a fan of history or of education or of green spaces in our increasingly urbanized nation, then you should be a supporter of the American Battlefield Trust.

I recently went on a tour of the newly-preserved Adams Farm at the Fair Oaks Battlefield near Richmond, Virginia. I had always been told that this entire battlefield had been lost to development near the Richmond Airport. However, the Trust identified this absolutely critical part of undeveloped battlefield property that is still intact, and has now preserved it forever.

The members of this organization work very hard to preserve hallowed ground and educate the public against overwhelming odds. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to run a non-profit. Their dedication is above all expectations

In my opinion, the premier battlefield land conservation group in the country; 58,000 acres saved including Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Cherokee removal, and Civil War sites. In Lookout Valley, near Chattanooga, Browns Ferry and Tavern, both were about to be developed into subdivisions when ABT saved them from development. Both sites are intimately connected to Cherokee history and the “Trail of Tears” as well as the October 1863 battle of Browns Ferry that opened the Union army supply line.

I've been a member of the American Battlefield Trust for 25 years (when it was Civil War Preservation Trust, and then Civil War Trust). This organization has had my unwavering support from the beginning. Their commitment to not only battlefield preservation, but also the promotion of education about our unique American history is steadfast. I have had the privilege of meeting David Duncan (the current president), Garry Adelman (chief historian), Kris White (dep. director of education), and several other ABT staff. As Garry would say, "They are the real deal." Everyone at ABT is fully committed to their mission, and to ensuring that my donation dollars are used as effectively as possible to fulfill that mission. I am passionate about preserving our country's history. Through the ABT, I am fulfilling my own mission.

There are many deserving charities.I try to give to those where a contribution today will have a long term effect. The American Battlefield Trust (ABT) is exactly that type of charity. Preserving and optimizing battlefields of the American wars ( Civil and Revolutionary Wars as well as War of 1812) is the primary goal of the ABT though there are also programs that both facilitate secondary school field trips to battlegrounds and provide support to educators in this realm. Taken together, these programs address an area-the domestic military history of America- which is both of great importance and yet currently greatly under taught in our schools.
The ABT is an efficient user of donated funds. Lastly, they have never been inappropriate nor "high pressure" in their solicitation of donations. I would strongly encourage anyone who feels it is important for all Americans to understand their nation's history to consider giving to the ABT.

I joined and donate to the American Battlefield Trust (ABT) because if myself and other people didn't care as much as I do about preserving as many battlefields that we can as the land becomes available then future generations will lose the history of that land forever. The ABT also uses donations to teach and educate anyone who wants to learn about each of the battlefields history and their place in history. I encourage everyone to either join or donate to save as much of any battlefield in our history and to educate everyone about the role in history that these battlefields.

Well run, stays on mission, stays in touch, honest, donors are kept engaged, plus immersive American history learning experience.

I have supported the American Battlefield Trust for over 15 years. During that time they have accomplished more than promised and used their time, money, and resources to the best advantage for their stated mission.
Never in this time have I seen anything that was not thoroughly explained and to the benefit of preserving American history and the teaching of that history.
The leadership is"hands-on" and deeply committed to both the mission and expressed standards of this charity. I cannot endorse them strongly enough.
The American Battlefield Trust is simply OUTSTANDING.

I have been supporting the American Battlefield Trust for 25 years or more. It does what it promises to do: preserve valuable, hallowed ground where Americans fought and died, and works to educate the public about what happened there and why it is important - then and now! It is extremely efficient, putting more Han 80 cents of every dollar given into its programs. I'm proud to be involved in this nonprofit!

The American Battlefield Trust has successfully preserved over 58,000 acres of precious, historic, hallowed ground.
I have walked a number of these battlefields and know, first-hand, that even the most detailed narrative pales in comparison to being physically present on the battlefield site.
The ABT is engaged in important work preserving and educating.

15 years+ of committed consistent focus on the cause and hammer like effectiveness in delivering results. Their broadening from the Civil War to the American Revolution and War if 1812 has been steady, reliable success. My personal favorite has been their well aimed expansion into the ways, means and ends of bringing relevant and exciting history to America’s youth via America’s educators/class rooms/field trips and Park Day volunteerism. ABT is a truly great nonprofit!! Totally deserve that Rating (I am also a donor to Charity Navigator, Wikipedia and Ballotpedia…; these are how we improve our world & our citizenry).

The American Battlefield Trust is a wonderful organization and I enjoy being a member! It is a great way for me to stay involved with a lifelong passion for the history of America's Battlefields. The organization puts on enjoyable and educational events, and I've loved every one!

I've been a Color Bearer supporter of the American Battlefield Trust for many years. I find the work of the trust to be incredibly valuable as we look to perserve our history for future generations. The communicatilon and background information on each battlefield site provides thorough information and justification for the requests for donations. Having visited many Civil War battlefields I am proud to be a supporter of the funding required to perserve these legacy sites. Further, as a member and a long time studier of American history I find the Trusts outreach to be valuable simply from a historical perspective. The Trust is one of my most important charitable spending options.

American Battlefield Trust Comments. Perhaps you can pick something out of the following
The detailed descriptions of The American Battlefield Trust’s funding projects are outstanding. They boldly locate acreages that are available for preservation on a map of the total battlefield and interject the historical significance of the tract. If applicable, there are photographs of historically incompatible structures that need to be removed to maintain historic integrity. You know exactly how your contribution is to be used.
Having visited numerous Trust and NPS properties, the battlefields are multipurpose and used by outdoor enthusiasts as well as history buffs. They are multiuse facilities and function to a range of interest groups. Moreover, the Trust offers outstanding webinars, reports, meetings and field trips.
Holmes A. Semken, October 22, 2023

I used to be involved with this organization unitl I attended one of their capital hill days. I was appalled to see that it is a Republican organization that only supports and tries to work with Republlcan politicans. At the event they hosted, there were zero Democrats invited. This organizations is committed to preserving the Lost Cause.

I am a longtime member of American Battlefield Trust and the Civil War Preservation Trust that preceded it. I am proud to be contributing to saving some tangible pieces of our heritage for future generations. I know my money is very well spent on the projects themselves, not on costly salaries. This is a labor of love (of history) for all of us.

I have been a member and supporter of the American Battlefield Trust for over two decades. This organization is dedicated to the preservation of American battlefields from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War. In addition, they provide superb educational opportunities for Americans of all ages. I have found that walking these battlefields with expert historians to be mindblowing in helping me understand what actually happened - the human impact has been phenomenal. I also appreciate that the American Battlefield Trust has used my donations wisely; using so much of the money to actually save land for future generations. Keeping our history alive is so important to help us understand the present.

Oh my, where do I start! Not only do these folks preserve land to teach history & to allow us to enjoy green spaces, but they teach us history during conferences, tours, Teachers' Institute, videos, etc. They are a group of honest, folks who are a pleasure to work with.

In 1988, when I was recovering from major surgery, my wife Patti gave me a copy of Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels. This prompted me to see more clearly the significance of the battle of Gettysburg for both sides, and how the Union victory played a major role in helping win the war, put an end to slavery, and save the nation. Soon afterward, Patti and I started an annual tradition of visiting Gettysburg several times a year, as well as seeing other battlefields, including Antietam, Monocacy, Harpers Ferry, and Fort Donelson. As a consequence, we became aware of battlefields and other historic sites being threatened by housing developments, shopping malls, and, in Gettysburg, the prospect of having a casino on or adjoining the battlefield. We learned of the Civil War Trust's mission during the “No Casino” campaigns in Gettysburg. This prompted me to contribute to the Trust and eventually become a Color Bearer.

The American Battlefield Trust is truly exceptional in all that it does. As it has been for several decades, the Trust remains the leading force for preserving land where soldiers fought and died in wars where our nation earned and maintained its independence. The Trust consistently and promptly makes its members aware and ready to act whenever battlefields are threatened by excessive development, most recently, data centers. Furthermore, the Trust has been excellent at hosting conferences and battlefield tours.
At these events, the Trust members emphasize to visitors that we need to know what happened there and why it matters.

In addition, the Trust has played a crucial role in providing educational experiences for students. Education is not only about providing facts and assigning papers and exams, but, with regard to history, by going to the battlefields--going beyond what students can read about in books or view online. The Trust makes history come alive. Most importantly, students can better understand the meaning of preserving hallowed ground for future generations.

The laser focus of the Trust to protect, expand, restore, provide education about and interpret America’s history through its battlefields is apparent in all they do. Help the Trust save America’s history!

The AMT is a well-run charity. They are efficient and focus on expenses for the programs that help us restore America's historic battlefields. This allows our current and future generations to learn American history in person, not just by reading. They also have organized tours led by historians you might work into a vacation trip. I am a Color Bearer for the organization, and if you can, encourage you to join me.

Although there a number of organizations dedicated to preserving our history for this & future generations (some of which I also support), American Battlefield Trust (& its antecedents) provides an incredible opportunity for like-minded history enthusiasts to combine their resources & abilities to effectively preserve "consecrated" ground for all. I have gratefully participated in its preservation efforts for almost 20 years & anticipate doing so even through the remainder of my life, as well as a testamentary bequest.

ABT is active & effective in preserving, restoring & educating about OUR history from the American Revolution through the Civil War - eras that are too often not properly, if at all, addressed in our educational system today. I am impressed with ABT's efforts across a broad geographical range & the participation of its leadership & Board in preservation & educational efforts & the info & opportunities it provides FOR FREE for educators & others on its website. ABT also has successfully coordinated with many other entities, as well as members, in its numerous preservation campaigns, which have saved unreplaceable & irreplaceable acreage for national & state parks/sites.

In an era of revisionist history, ABT is a critical entity that seeks to independently & neutrally provide everyone the opportunity to explore & decide for themselves the "truth" of our history.

The trust focuses on the primary mission: preserving hallowed ground. Whether from the war of independence, 1812, or the civil war, this group takes pride in preserving land for all Americans! We learn from our past when we appreciate all the effort and sacrifice that was made on our behalf. It not only preserves the actual land, but it helps to educate all who visit.

Our nation's history has been a significant interest to me since I was a teenager. Civil War battlefields which give us an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the men who fought to preserve our Union is critical as a way for people of all ages to understand the price of freedom, democracy, and equality. The American Battlefield Trust is the preeminent nonprofit devoted to preservation of battlefields, so many of which are threatened by residential and commercial development. The group's expansion to include Revolutionary War battlefields is equally crucial to my desire to see as much of that history preserved. The organization also has YouTube and FaceBook videos and educational materials which are really crucial to teaching people of all ages about our country's history.

The American Battlefield Trust ( ABT) is truly an outstanding nonprofit and one we have admired and supported for many years. Their accomplishments are legendary, overhead is low, communications are “ best I class” and employees are dedicated, professional, knowledgeable and courteous.

What appeals to me about the work of ABT is the immediate sense of satisfaction that comes with protecting land forever. The work of other non-profits often involves ongoing, never ending work but with land, once it’s procured, it’s procured. Impressively, however, ABT focuses not just on land preservation but on education and the role of conflicts in our history.

ABT is managed such that there is a sense of “smallness” where it’s easy to know something of the employees and the projects they are pursuing. ABT seems like a very efficiently managed and personable organization.

I cannot say enough about this fantastic charity. I have joined their Color Bearer Society and have named the American Battlefield Trust as a beneficiary in my IRA. The trust does and amazing job in preserving hallowed ground on American battlefields. They educate young and old and have major events at several gatherings each year. The Trust is extremely adept at leveraging existing funds from governmental and non-governmental charities. The trust routinely gets A and A+ ratings from respected charity rating organizations such as Charity Watch. The Trust’s publications and battlefield maps are of the highest quality and indispensable in understanding the history of America’s struggles.

I became a member of the original APCWS in the early 90s. As it evolved to its current iteration, I continued my role of supporting its mission of education and preservation of our history. I can think of no other NGO, non-profit or charity which accomplishes so much for the public's benefit and the future of our country and of which I'm so proud to be a member.

I've been a donor/member for 25 years and my esteem for the ABT is as high as ever. They have never wavered from their mission of preservation of America's "hallowed ground" - the battlefields of the Civil War, the Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812.
One aspect of their fund-raising that I especially like is its specificity. Donors are told, with the aid of great maps, exactly what piece of battlefield ground is being targeted (always from willing sellers) and why it is significant. No donor dollars going into some vague maw here!
All in all, the ABT is my #1 philanthropic focus, and I have several.

The American Battlefield Trust has been laser focused on preserving our nations battlefields and history. I have been a member for twenty-five years and have been honored to help them save battlefields and grow membership. I am excited to see what we can do together in the coming years as we approach the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution to preserve the memory of our Revolutionary forefathers.

My wife and I have been members of the Trust for a decade. The Trust is a fine organization doing GREAT work with INCREDIBLE people! We've learned a lot and made great friends over those years and hope for many more.

I started giving over twenty years ago, and have joyfully contributed every year, often several times each year. My initial contributions helped with property preservation campaigns. Over time I grew in my appreciation of the broader mission, including education and the repository of amazing resources, like maps and fact sheets. Lately, I have enjoyed the You Tube videos of battlefields, and contributed to help underwrite several of the filming trips.

The American Battlefield Trust is tremendously engaged in one of the crucial endeavors to preserve the hallowed battlefields of American history. Very few organizations in my experience are as committed to their mission and successful in developing content to secure their goal as the American Battlefield Trust. Their work and outreach are phenomenal and worthy of every commendation imaginable.

American Battlefield Trust helps raise money to protect American battlefields in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War. We protect the battlefields from being built on and then hand over the deed to the Park Service to have it protected forever.
The Trust also inspires, teaches and preserves the battlefields in these three American Wars. Over 90% of the money collected goes into preserving the battlefield land.

The American Battlefield Trust (ABT) is the premier organization for American battlefield preservation and related education. It takes its mission extremely seriously and is a top-notch professional organization. It is not a fly-by-night outfit making empty appeals to make insiders rich. The ABT does not have a secret agenda or take sides in political debates. It is trustworthy and transparent and comprised of experts who have an amazing passion for preserving our nation's history.

I became a sustaining member (what the ABT calls a Color Bearer) after seeing its efforts first-hand. I have visited several battlefields and am always heartened to see what the ABT has accomplished. The ABT's website and publications (including some absolutely fantastic battle maps) are extremely insightful. I also enjoy watching its educational videos online (whether new or old) and always learn something new. The best part is that these resources are completely free to the public, as they should be.

The ABT has always been responsive to any inquiries I've had (even acknowledging when it doesn't know the answer and will circle back, which it does). I've been so impressed with it that I recently upgraded my annual support level and included it as a beneficiary of my estate.

I highly recommend the ABT to anyone, whether they are would-be donors or simply want to learn more about American history presented in an accurate and responsible way.

I have been a member of this organization since its inception in the late 1980's. It has been very successful in saving historic land associated with America's past and saving greenspaces in some very developed areas. In the past dozen years or so, it has provided on line resources and educational materials that I have utilized. In all of my experiences with non-profit organizations, I have not found one as well run and successful.

The American Battlefield Trust is a fantastic organization that is dedicated to preservation of battlefield sites in the US. They constantly rate very high by Charity Navigator. This organization has outstanding leadership with membership all over the country. If you are passionate about the preservation of historic battlefield sites, this is absolutely the organization for you. They also do quality outreach and provide educational opportunities for students and teachers alike. Highly recommended!

The ABT is a great organization that serves to preserve battlefield property and educates all about the wars and battles that have shaped our nation. The Trust utilizes public and private resources to make sure that every dollar they raise is efficiently used in their mission. I love the mission of the Trust and especially appreciate the hard work of all the persons involved in this important work.

ABT is an incredible organization and one of the few organizations that protects our history by preserving battlefield sites that are critical for Americans’ understanding and appreciation of our history. This service benefits Americans of all generations, current and future. Their communication and reporting is very transparent and their newsletters and videos further support their cause and make their work informative and enjoyable to learn about.

American Battlefield Trust is important organization that works to preserve historical battlefield land for Americans to visit and enjoy for generations.

You have easy access to see where the funds go and most all of the money goes to the purpose of saving our history versus being spent on outrageous payroll. If you want to save history, have any interest in history, want to preserve and protect historical land, want to help protect and rehabilitate nature and looking for a fantastic organization to donate to that does all of the things mentioned and SO much more, then I could not recommend American Battlefield Trust enough.

My fifth grade class had windows through which one could see a cemetery. While teaching us about the American Civil War, Mrs. Taylor pointed out the windows and said, “There are men who fought in this war and are buried right out there.” I vividly remember it struck me like solid shot and left a lifelong impression upon my soul.
Through the ensuing years, my thirst for Civil War history has never been quenched. The deeper I delved, the more insatiable my desire. In learning more, I discovered a sad truth. The insidious veil of time is drawn over that which is not duly saved. And, in that process, that darkest of veils relegates all that is unprotected to the pages of forgotten history. There is a great sadness in that. Yet, it is that grief which spurred me to action over the greater part of my life.
I sought to pull back the veil. I pledged I would do what I could toward that end. I have, for near 30 years, researched the 141st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry’s 1000 soldiers. Consequently much of their information has been saved for posterity’s sake. Yet still I yearned for the ability to do more. Luckily, I found the outlet.
I was fortunate to find a way to partner with an organization which holds the same beliefs that course through my veins, saving history. Over 20 years ago I became a member. While likely I could never afford to purchase even one acre of battlefield ground, it is through the American Battlefield Trust that my meager pennies were multiplied to where each and every dollar I have donated has resulted in tangible Civil War acreage being protected. It is through their dedication and professionalism over a score of years that I have been able to rightly claim, with immense satisfaction, that I have been able to help write a new chapter of history where Civil War battlefields will forever endure.
Because of so much that we do and accomplish together, I proudly say, I am a member of the American Battlefield Trust.

While attending the National War College in the early 1990s, I had the privilege of participating in a class trip to the Gettysburg battlefield. Although a diplomat rather than a soldier, I experienced the same excitement and awe as the US service men and women around me as we retraced the path of Pickett's charge. Ever since, I have been an enthusiastic supporter of the APCWS (currently named the American Battlefield Trust). The organization does essential work in helping to preserve an important part of America's historical heritage during a time when honor, patriotism and public service are not as respected as they should be. I plan to continue to donate to the Trust and have made plans to remember the Trust in my will.

Having donated to the Civil War Trust for many years, and before that to the APCWS, I'm well aware of the excellent work they and their successor, the American Battlefield Trust, have done. Not being exactly flush with money, I'm able to donate only small amounts, but from past experience I know that the ABT uses those small amounts wisely and effectively, and leverages them to achieve remarkable results. The ABT not only raises funds to preserve a battle site, but often (as at Brandy Station in Virginia and Lee's Headquarters at Gettsyburg in Pennsylvania) funds and manages the effort to re-create the viewscape at the time of the battle. Believing those efforts are still not enough, the ABT then develops for visitors to many of the sites a balanced, carefully researched interpretation of the site, with signs, trails, and lately, phone-based apps that guide the visitor. I believe strongly that, for thorough understanding of a historic event, there really is no substitute for walking the ground at the site where it occurred. Hence I'm proud -- and eager -- to support the efforts of the ABT to preserve our history.

I have been donating to this organization, thru several name changes, for something like 25 years. What got me started was the ability to marry land preservation with an interest in the American Civil War. These folks work toward preserving land at the major, and minor, battlefields of the Civil War. They have been very successful, working with Congress, the National Park Service, and many local preservation groups, and have saved many hundreds of acres of land from development. They are not at all partisan or political; they are very focused on their mission(s). In addition to preserving Civil War battlefields their mission has expanded to preserving Revolutionary War sites. There is also a strong educational component to what they do, so the history is preserved along with the land. They are very efficient, and transparent, communicating regularly so you are kept abreast of what is going on. I recommend this organization highly.

I have been a proud member of the CWT (American Battlefield Trust) for over twenty years. I feel honored to have an exceptional & responsible organization saving hallowed ground from the Civil War. I have been a student of this War for over thirty years and find donating my funds to this organization one of the best things that I could ever do. I also like that the CWT finds available land not only in the Eastern theatre but also in the areas of the Western Campaign. Furthermore, I feel confident that my donations are going directly to the particular solicitation and that the CWT is properly audited and deserving of my support. I couldn't be happier to write this review. The people engaged directly in the activities seem very dedicated to the mission of the organization.

I have been a participating donor with the American Battlefield Trust and its predecessors for almost 30 years. Such loyalty is earned, not easily given. This organization has always exceeded any promises it has made to me and others. Its performance has been beyond belief. It sticks to its mission and exceeds all expectations. The material available through the Trust is timely, detailed, well written, well presented and neutral in presentation. The recent move to conserve or preserve battlefields from all US wars is an example of the outstanding leadership which has been in existence for the entire time I have participated. The organization fights the right fights and any fight it enters, it fights to win. Its successes have been fantastic. Almost always there are matching funds to increase the value of my gifts. There is always thankful recognition to gifts. When I have called for information, the staff has been willing to walk me through all I desired. The new Liberty Trail initiative is a wonderful example of how the organization is willing to change, to take very different approaches to recognition and preservation of our nation's history. I wish it was in charge of setting the requirements for my state's curriculum. Good job; Good show; Keep it up; and MANY THANKS!

I been an advocate for saving our Battlefields and other Historic Sites since I was a kid and our family would spend our annual vacations visiting places like Antietam, Gettysburg, Bunker Hill, Lexington and Concord. My wife and I have continued our visits with our Son and our 2 Grand kids and they also enjoy those visits. We now live on the Battlefield of Williamsburg, Va., (although this is not protected land), and also have lived close to the Monmouth, N.J. battlefield years ago. We have supported the Battlefield Trust over the past 20+ years and are always amazed at how they use their funding along with getting Federal, State, Highway and other grants to procure funding for over 50,000 acres over the years. Just look what the Trust was able to do with General Lee's Headquarters at Gettysburg, absolutely amazing. Hope everyone will support the American Battlefield Trust and help them save the next 50,000 acres of our nations Battlefields.
Deb and Marty Bank, Williamsburg, Va.

As a member for over twenty years, I have been greatly impressed with the dedication to education and preservation of the American Battlefield Trust.

I've been a member of the American Battlefield Trust for over 20 years, and will be for life. I hold the ABT up as the epitome of charitable organizations; achieving tremendous, highly regarded results with a genuine stewardship of resources. One of the allures here is the double benefit of promoting history and land/ecology conservation. In all, I'm proud & confident to give this organization the highest & heartiest of recommendations.

The preservation of our history is critical to our preservation of our country's values, and to having future generations value that same need for preservation. The American Battlefield Trust is unsurpassed in using contributions wisely to further its preservation goals, and to telling our country's story. ABT also keeps members informed and engages us in its plans and goals. I've been donating for many years, and plan to continue to do so. If I could rate ABT higher than 5 stars, I would!

My wife and I first became intensely interested in the Civil War after the premier broadcast of Ken Burns' documentary on the war in September 1990. Not long after the broadcast, we began to visit Civil Wat battlefields and immediately saw the merit in preserving as much battlefield property as possible across the nation. Our desire to contribute to this effort led us to the Civil War Trust, which has since evolved into the American Battlefield Trust. In the 20+ years that we have been donating to the Trust, we have been consistently impressed with its stewardship of donations. Each issue of their magazine documents acres upon acres of battlefield that the Trust has played a part in preserving from desecrating development. Also noteworthy is the Trust's efforts to educate the public regarding the nation's rich historical heritage. We are proud supporters of the Trust and plan to remain so.

I have been a supporter of this superb organization since its inception as the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites ~30 years ago. Its focus on the most important historic properties, its professionalism, and its high ethical standards have led to a long list of superb accomplishments. Every year, the Trust earns the trust of members, including me, who depend on the Trust to accomplish important preservation projects that would never be possible on our own individual level.

I have been a member of this organization since its earliest days and am proud to be able to share why I believe in it. From the beginning, the vision to preserve our endangered historical battlefields inspired me to visit many of them and tell others how important this effort was to our country. The leadership of the organization is the finest group of folks that running a non-profit. Jim Lighthizer is a great American and a great leader. My donations over the years have been put toward the vision of preservation and education, and I am confident they have been used effectively. I am grateful for the opportunity to highly endorse this wonderful organization.

The study of the Civil War and visiting battlefields has been a passion of mine for over 50 years, that started with my Father talking about the Civil War in the St. Louis area and visiting Jefferson Barracks. I've been donating several times a year to the American Battlefield Trust and its predecessor for over 20 years, in order for it to preserve hallowed ground and for its educational initiatives.

As a historian and a Founding Member of the Civil War Preservation Trust (now American Battlefield Trust), I have been honored to participate in their efforts to preserve our Nation's historic battlefields of the Civil War (and now also those of the American Revolution and War of 1812). The Trust's stewardship of our funds and the skill they employ to leverage those funds to obtain the optimum benefit in purchasing historic lands is a credit to the Trust's leadership. I feel confident that my donations are being used for the purposes intended. In fact, I have named the American Battlefield Trust as a beneficiary in my will.

Michael F. Huebner, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)

Well, there you have it. One of the most outstanding battlefield preservation organizations out there. (And there are many other noteworthy ones.) 20+ year member, regular contributor (pretty much except when funds are tight), always read their material (well done, informative, professional), and am grateful for the people running the organization. Thank you!

I have been a member of the Battlefield Trust almost since its founding as the Civil War Trust. It's mission is to preserve fields that are hallowed with the blood of brave Americans, my own ancestors among them. By helping preserve these fields, we ensure that the story they tell will be enjoyed and appreciated by future generations.

When I was younger, we would visit my grandparents near Harrisburg PA every year. Nearly every year we would take the hour drive to your the Gettysburg battlefield. Those visits in led to a lifelong interest in the Civil War. Because of my passion for the Civil War, I donate to American Battlefield Trust. This allows my passion to be passed down to future generations.

I've been a member o the American Battlefield Trust (ABT) and it's predecessor organizations for over 25 years. In that time, I've seen them leverage the small donations I can make with partnerships that have made a difference in saving these historic battlefields and sites. They are on the cutting edge of battlefield preservation, and I feel that they are always using my donations wisely and for the purpose intended. Their multi-year, four-star rating on Charity Navigator speaks for itself about the wise stewardship they display. You can rest assured that the ABT is fulfilling its mission and making the most of your donation.

I have been contributing to the American Battlefield Trust and its predecessor the Civil War Trust for over 20 years and know they have made a noticeable difference in the preserved land / view sheds of battlefields from America's "formative conflicts" (the American Revelution, the War of 1812 and the Civil War).

I have contributed to The Civil War Trust for many years including recently as it has evolved in to the American Battlefield Trust. I feel they have made incredible progress in preserving our historic battlefields to help provide education to future generations. Their research and diligence in securing these properties would not have occurred without this organization. I fell my contributions are well managed to provide the "biggest bang for the buck".

My passion is history, and so I decided years ago to donate the bulk of my charitable givings to preserving land important in our nation’s history, in particular the Civil War. I cannot think of any other organization that’s accomplished more in the area of battlefield preservation than the American Battlefield Trust. Were it not for this organization, and its earlier manifestations (the APCWS and Civil War Trust), we would be “treated” to a Formula One race track instead of Brandy Station Battlefield. It’s unlikely historians and preservationists would have been successful in preventing the Disneyfication of Loudon County, Virginia in the vicinity of Manassas National Battlefield, without the money and muscle of the APCWS. There are plenty of other examples of how this organization has preserved for future generations the land on which their ancestors fought and died. In recent years the Trust's focus has expanded to include endangered Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites. I strongly urge anyone with an interest in history to support the American Battlefield Trust. Even if you are unable to visit these preserved sites (and I sincerely hope you are), whenever you donate to the American Battlefield Trust you’ll be making a lasting impact that’s difficult to surpass.

I have been a member of this organization for over 20 years. I love history and want to do my part to preserve history for my children and future grandchildren. The Trust has been a good steward of my donations and I recommend them highly and without reservation.

I have been a supporter and contributor to the American Battlefield Trust for more than 20 years. I have found the Trust to be an excellent steward of a contributor's money during the entire time. The one thing that I like most about the Trust is that they explain, in great detail, the need for the request of support and how the money will be used. The Trust has had a number of names since I have been involved and for some that may seem odd. But the reason for the name changes has been to demonstrate that the Trust has become more far reaching than in year's past. When I started to support the Trust I was supporting Civil War battlefield preservation. Today, my support may be for Civil War, War of 1812 and/or American Revolution battlefield preservation. It may also be to support teaching the history of these conflicts to school children and it may also be used to train those educators who teach school children the importance of the history of our country.
I believe the American Battlefield Trust is an outstanding non-profit, worthy of consideration for support. I will continue my support and I've spoken to others of the worthiness of the Trust's efforts.

I have worked with the Trust for many years. The work of the Trust is admirable in so many ways. Every dollar raised has been spent wisely. My praise is such that have mentioned the Trust in my will.

I have been donating to the American Battlefield Trust since it was the APCWS, close to 30 years. During that time they have maintained their focus on the preservation of land involved in battles that have impacted the path of American society. Besides the purchase of land to preserve these areas, their mission to educate on why these properties are important to keep from development has remained in the forefront.

I have been proud to support the American Battlefield Trust for over 25 years.

The Trust monitors significant battlefields of the American Civil War (and more recently the War of 1812 and the American Revolution as well), watching for unprotected parcels of land that come on the market within or adjacent to the battlefield parks. (Contrary to what many believe, the various national and state battlefield parks typically preserved only a small part of the full battlefields, and left some significant sites totally unprotected.)

It then works to put together financing -- leveraging federal programs, state and local grants, landowner donations, and more -- to cover as much of the cost as possible. The remainder of the preservation cost is covered by numerous small and medium-sized donations from members like myself.

Fourteen of my family and four of my wife's family fought in the American Civil War, and a number of them died in the conflict. The American Battlefield Trust has afforded us the opportunity to help preserve the exact ground on which they fought -- at places ranging from Franklin, TN, to South Mountain, MD, Fredericksburg, VA ,and Gettysburg, PA. Without the work of the Trust, future generations would never have the opportunity to see the original landscapes on which were fought the wars that created modern America.

The American Battlefield Trust is my charity of choice.

I have been a member of and contributor to the American Battlefields Trust and it's predecessor organizations (The Trust) for 20 years. The Trust has been 100% true to it's mission, preservation of the land over which the battles of the three major wars fought on American soil occurred, and excellent stewards of the funds donated by members in support of that mission. The staff does superior work in preparing campaign information and responding to member queries and concerns.

I've proudly supported this group for years since it was the Civil War Trust. The work of preserving land where thousands died is so important and I'll continue to participate.

I've been a contributor to Battlefield Trust for 20 years. I have always felt confident that my contributions have been used competently to advance the objectives of the Trust and I have been able to see the tangible results stemming from my contributions. Based on my experiences and observations thus far, I will continue to be contributor to the Trust in the future, with confidence that my contributions are being used to the maximum effect.

American Battlefield Trust is one of the best charities with respect to operating efficiency.

I feel confident almost all the money i donate is used for non-administrative purposes. They also do a wonderful securing matching contributions.

The American Battlefield Trust works to save land where battles were fought in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and American Civil War. A total of 51,321 acres in 24 states has been saved to date. The Trust also strives to educate the next generation of preservationists by holding workshops for teachers, and events where members can take young relatives to battlefields to learn more. The Trust leverages member donations by seeking matching contributions from State and Federal programs, and others willing to provide matching funds. Hence, member donations to the Trust often have a huge impact on what is actually saved. An example of a battlefield where the trust has had a substantial impact over the years is the Perryville Battlefield in Kentucky. The Trust has been responsible for preservation of 1,027 acres at this important Civil War Battlefield where the Confederacy’s attempt to control the State of Kentucky was stopped by Union forces. The Trust has also stepped up to purchase battlefield land threatened by development. An example of this is the Slaughter Pen Farm tract at the Fredericksburg, Virginia battlefield where the Trust committed in 2006 to spending $12 million by paying $300,000 per year. The fierce fighting that took place on this ground and its importance to understanding the battle convinced the Trust to undertake this purchase. I have to say, the American Battlefield Trust is a highly successful organization which is making a big difference in what future generations will be able to experience when visiting our battlefields.

This is an outstanding group. Their ability to secure matching funds for land purchases is amazing. That is why I have supported them for 20+ years. The Eastern Pennsylvania Civil War Roundtable yearly hunts for places to donate funds where they will do the most good. And invariably, 90% of our funds will go to American battlefield Trust. We have watched $5000 turn into $87,000 due to the matching funds that they secure. Absolutely amazing. A wonderful nonprofit!

I have contributed to the Civil War/Battlefield Trust for twenty years. This organization has consistently delivered high value for the contributions made in saving valuable American battlefields in perpetuity. In particular, the Trust has been instrumental in my state of Kentucky in securing nearly all of the important components of the Perryville battlefield, sites that remain very similar to their appearance and configuration in the 1860's. I recommend the Trust highly as a contribution vehicle for those who have interest in preserving American battlefields as a resource for the future.

I have supported this organization for over 20 years and am a strong believer in its objectives, organization, and management. I have not seen an audited financial statement for this organization that I recall nor have I seen a statistic as to how much of their revenue from contributions actually goes to preservation efforts as opposed to operating the organization. The audited financial statements and statistics related to money actually used for preservation versus money used to operate the organization would be the only additional information I would like to have. Perhaps this information is available and I have never seen it or do not recall seeing it. Since this organization is somewhat tied in with the federal government and with other organizations related to battlefield preservation, they probably submit financial and operating information to these other organizations. Otherwise, as far as my knowledge, this organization is critical in the fight to preserve our endangered battlefields and I will remain a donor and supporter.

The American Battlefields Trust is very effective in its mission: preserving battlefield land and educating people about the importance of each battlefield. Reading about a battle can be instructive but visiting the actual land adds another dimension to understanding. Rather than a two dimensional view of the troop movements, you see a three dimensional view of the terrain. That view provides a comprehensive way to understand the difficulties the troops and generals faced. Students at our academies make staff rides to the land in order to train our future military leaders.

I like the Trust because it is very efficient with my contributions. The Trust has low overhead and successfully obtains grants that increase the effective of my contributions.

The Trust web site is one of the best I have ever seen. It is easy to navigate and has lots of information in digestible chunks. The IN4 minute videos about a topic are very instructional. It is easy to grasp the overall Civil War by looking at the animated maps, especially the Civil War in 30 minutes. There are virtual tours, suggested itineraries, mobile apps, including ones you can use to orient yourself when on the actual battlefield.

In addition to the web site, the Trust supports teachers with a National Teacher Institute summer workshop, supports student field trips, has a traveling trunk of Civil War artifacts and has sample curriculums.

At the Annual Conference there are tours led by nationally recognized guides and authors that are specialists in the tour locations. In addition, I saw a multiplayer battle simulation app in which the players voted on each general’s move. Talk about making history come alive!

The Trust makes history education fun.


John Cleckner and Vikki Seitz are color bearers and long- time members of the Trust. John’s interest in the Civil War started in 1961 when he visited the reenactment of the First Bull Run / Manassas. Vikki’s started later when we went on historical tourism vacations.

I keep turning up examples of the impact of the ABT. With fewer time constraints in my life at this point, I have made it a practice to visit lesser known & more far-flung Civil War battlefields. I have found it impossible to find any Civil War site of significance where the ABT has not enhanced.
This past summer I visited the site of the battle of Glorieta in New Mexico. I was able to take a NPS Ranger lead tour of the site. I was wearing my ABT baseball cap. Spontaneously the ranger leading us said something to the effect that he noted my hat and told the group that much of the land and markers were put up by the ABT, and began telling us just how much the Trust had done for the Glorieta site. Such is the widespread positive effect of the ABT. Even in rural NM, over a thousand miles from my current Maryland home, I felt my dollars were operating. I was gratified to feel that the lessons & legacy of the Civil War to America were less likely to be lost.

Together with the Shenandoah Battlefield Foundation, the American Battlefield Trust is one of the premier-not to mention cost effective-nonprofits seeking to preserve our history and our heritage. They use most of the funds raised for the actual acquisition of battlefield land and has made incredible achievements by recovering battlefield considered lost and preserving large, meaningful pieces of dozens and dozens of battlefields made sacred by the sacrifice and blood of courageous soldiers on both sides, American veterans all.

I have supported the American Battlefield Trust for over ten years and have always felt my money was well donated and have enjoyed seeing the fruits of the ABT labors in preservation. From Gettysburg to Cold Harbor, from Natural Bridge, FL to Cool Spring, VA, from Antietem to Franklin, there has been profound preservation. I don't hesitate to give the ABT my highest rating possible.

In 2018, I attended my first conference and event in Virginia, my native state. I was very impressed with the conference turnout, the professional staff, and the variety of tours available. For only the second time ever, I was able to visit Colonial Williamsburg and for the first time ever, Yorktown. The highlight of Yorktown was visiting Redoubt 9. My other favorite activity, while touring Yorktown, was being shown and walking along the same road that George Washington and the Continental Army took on their way to Yorktown. It's right off a fairly busy road and is hidden by the woods from the road. I would never have known it was there if Drew Gruber had not shown us. Very impressive.

My wife and I have been consistent supporters of the American Battlefield trust for many years. The work which they have done and will undoubtedly do cannot be valued in dollars and cents but in insuring our heritage, history and cultural roots are preserved to be shared for generations to come. They do this diligently, efficiently and tenaciously. Contributors are kept fully informed both generally and personally. This is selfless work done by committed and passionate people. We are proud to contribute and do so with zero reservations.

Jim Duffy

My wife and I recently visited Antietam battlefield. The partnership of the Trust and others in the preservation of this unique and still relatively untouched area of our history is critical. The Battlefield Trust also through their mailings, gives donors a very transparent and crisp view of how their money will be used to save critical areas of American History. In today's divisive atmosphere, understanding our civil war, and its' huge price in terms of casualties should be a lesson every school child and Congressman should know!

The American Battlefield Trust is truly exceptional in all that it does. My wife and I have been visiting Gettysburg several times a year since the 1990s, and we learned of the Trust's mission during the “No Casino” campaigns there. This led to our donating to the Trust and my involvement as a member and eventually a Color Bearer.

The Trust has led the way over several decades as the prominent force for preserving land where soldiers fought and died in the wars where our nation earned and maintained its independence. The Trust also makes its members aware and primed to take quick action whenever battlefields and other historic sites are threatened by housing developments, shopping malls, and suburban sprawl. The men and women of the Trust have also been excellent at hosting conferences and battlefield tours.

Furthermore, the Trust has played a crucial role in providing educational experiences for students. As a university professor (in criminal justice), education is not only about providing facts and assigning papers and exams, but taking students to places where important developments in the discipline occur (prisons, jails, police stations, courtrooms) and have as guest speakers people who are well known in the field. As a result, students can learn, in a “hands-on” manner, the significance of the work that such individuals perform. When applying this analogy to history, students can get a more direct sense of what happened in the American Civil War, Revolutionary War, or War of 1812 by going to the battlefields–going beyond what they can read about in books or see on television or the Internet. Also, students can better understand the meaning of preserving hallowed ground.

I have been donating to the American Battlefield Trust for nearly 25 years, since it was known as the Civil War Battlefield Trust. As a student of the Civil War I believe it especially important to preserve the historic lands where this history was made. Reading history is good but walking the ground where history was made is priceless. As the years have passed I have only increased my level of financial support of ABT's preservation efforts. I applaud their action to expand to preserve battle sites of the War of 1812 and the Revolution. Once these lands are lost to development they are gone forever and our ability to understand how our country was created and built will be forever diminished.

I have been a donor for more than 20 years, and am a big supporter of ABT (formerly, CWPT). Over the years, they have saved battlefields large and small that are critical to our nation's history. In particular, ABT's work on the battlefields of Gettysburg and Fredericksburg has been ongoing and persistent--and noteworthy. They do so in a very cost efficient manner, so that very little of my donation goes to ABT's overhead.

We donate to the American Battlefield Trust because it is important to our future to preserve history so we can discuss it and its impact on the US. The Trust saves core battlefield land and helps interpret it. Actually being on the site of a battle is an experience that cannot be obtained from just reading a book or seeing it on the web.

The Trust creates multimedia experiences that dramatize facets of the battles and are very memorable. Each IN 4 video provides a presentation about one subject and are quite informative. The Civil War in 30 minutes presentation with an animated map provides a great overview. But the best media to me are the virtual tours of the battlefields. What a help when visiting! The web site is well worth exploring to see all the resources available.

It is important to us that our gifts are used wisely. The Trust excels at that. It obtains matching funds so our gifts go farther and it has a low overhead.

John Cleckner and Vikki Seitz

I have been contributing to the ABT and it's predecessor organizations for many years. I believe so strongly in this organization and it's mission. I contribute throughout the year via the Combined Federal Campaign and as needed for special critical time sensitive campaigns. The work these folks do is near-legendary. The magazine they produce is superb and award winning. Their website is an incredible educational resource, and I use their maps incessantly when reading or studying the various American battlefields. As a freedom-loving American, I am so grateful and thankful to the men and women of the ABT for their hard work. They are highly rated by charity watchdogs and they will continue to have my support!!

I found the American Battlefield Trust while doing an online search for Civil War sites, and I am so fortunate to have found this Charity. Their website is first rate, and it contains important information about the battlefields of the Civil War, The War of 1812, and The Revolutionary War. The site also lays out the different lands that the Trust is presently trying to save, and it encourages givers to participate in these causes. I've been very happy with the detailed maps the Trust provides that highlight the targeted acreage within the context of the greater battlefields. Most of all, I'm so glad to know there is a community of history buffs out there who care about saving this country's most important sites! As a Johnny Reb supporter from Texas, I can say it's all the more important in the current climate to preserve our history.

I have been a Number One Fan of the ABT for easily a decade now. And I have contributed as generously as possible in each of those years to assist the Trust in accomplishing its worthy and impressive targeted acquisition goals. In my view, there is no other not-for-profit which better accomplishes, effectively and immediately, the mission which it sets out to implement. And Jim Lighthizer, whom I have known and respected for decades now, is the best and most articulate leader anywhere.

The American Battlefield Trust has my trust! Operating incredibly lean, the vast majority of donations go directly to saving battlefield land: so far over 50,000 acres. Not a lot of talk, just quietly preserving hallowed ground. Please join us!

One of the greatest non-profits I donate to. Can you imagine a Walmart on hallowed ground where soldiers sacrificed their lives for our country? Thanks to the American Battlefield Trust, i do not have to anymore. Hundreds of thousands of acres of land have been saved FOREVER, so that future generations can live their history. They provide so many stories, rich histories and maps of every battlefield they helped save. Their quarterly magazine is so informative, I cannot wait for each issue to arrive. I have been a member for almost 20 years and have watched the amazing work the team at ABT does each and every day. I could not recommend ABT more highly!

I have proudly supported this worthwhile endeavor for over three years and currently as a color bearer. I believe in the vision of this organization as it's main purpose is to remember the valor and courage of the men and women who fought for the great ideal of freedom. I am proud to support the ABT.

I am pleased with the efforts of the American Battlefield Trust. My personal goal is to preserve history (especially ACW history) through preserving the battlefields and to preserve or reclaim green land from development (especially in urban areas). The education services the trust provides is a bonus.

I have visited many of the sites the trust has helped preserve and appreciate the perspective that preserved land gives me when viewing and walking a battlefield. One of my activities is to map out troop movements, choose a unit, then walk where those troops marched and fought after rereading their history at that battle. The trust's preservation efforts have increased the land I can walk, thus the pleasure I receive from my visit.

I think the preservation and reclamation of green space is important as towns and cities grow, especially east of the Mississippi River (I reside in NM). I believe green space is essential for mental-spiritual health of all people.

I have so far been unable to attend the trust's donor events, so I cannot speak to the benefits of the historians and battlefield tours the trusts makes available.

I appreciate the education services the trust provides to students. History is an important foundation for a person in how they define themselves. Understanding of where we as a culture/country came from expands our understanding of what goes on today.

This is one of the best, most professionally run nonprofits in America. From their informative newsletters and magazine, to the multiple annual conferences, and of course the efforts to preserve hallowed battle grounds, this group uses every dollar wisely and efficiently to accomplish it’s stated goals. I’m proud to be associated with such a dedicated group and a small part of this important preservation effort.
Will Garner

The American Battlefield Trust is only one of 4 charities that I contribute to on a regular and continuing basis. They have proven to me to be an outstanding steward of the donations that I make as they do what they promise to do, and that is save American battlefields from the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. I consider the American Battlefield Trust to be one the the best run and managed non-profits in the United States today.

I have been a supporter since the APCWS days, better than thirty years. 50,000 acres of hallowed American battlefields have been saved. This organization is masterful at getting the most from both private and governmental sources to maximize their impact. I have gone to Washington to lobby my home state delegation for battlefield preservation legislation at this group’s behest. I believe they are the premier historical preservation organization in the country.

I was moved to contribute to what was then the Civil War Trust about fifteen years ago after visiting the Wilderness and Spotsylvania battlefields with a friend who is very knowledgeable about the Civil War. That visit, and his enthusiastic opinion about the Trust, led me to join. I take great pleasure about being a member and having a part in the effort to preserve the sites of our nation's battles -- at first those of the Civil War, but now those of all of our wars -- for the edification of future generations. The Trust works with landowners and governments to return the landscape to a close simulation of what it was at the time of the battle. This not only serves an educational purpose, it creates parklike places for public enjoyment. I expect to remain a member of the Trust for the rest of my life and to contribute generously to support the Trust's efforts.

I have been a member of organizations dedicated to the saving of Civil War battlefields since the founding of the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites in 1987. Over the past 30 years, the movement has undergone numerous evolutions, eventually becoming the outstanding organization of today, the American Battlefield Trust. In the 1970's, I visited Civil War battlefields from Virginia to Louisiana, and was appalled to see how they were being lost to development and urban sprawl. This was in stark contrast to how I observed the aggressive efforts to preserve historical sites during my travels to Europe; notably the battlefields at Waterloo, Crecy, Agincourt, Hastings, and Bosworth Field. I am proud to be able to contribute in my small way to help to preserve the historical sites designated by the ABT so that my grandchildren and future generations will be able to enjoy and appreciate these sites where America was born, matured, and united to become the great nation of today.

I have always had an interest in history and the battles that took place in the United States. I had the oppportunity to visit Spotsylvania, North Anna, and Cold Harbour with renowned author Gordon Rhea. i saw the impact of the land that is being purchased to preserve these places where thousands of Americans died. The Trust is able to tell a story of what happened on the battlefields from a personal level. I will continue to give to this great cause.

I have been a member of, and contributor to, the American Battlefield Trust (nee Civil War Trust) for several decades. In my ratings of effective advocacy organizations, it is on the top rung of a number of charities I support. It has been incredibly effective in preserving critical parts of battlefields, primarily in the Civil War era but now extending its reach to the Revolutionary War, with an especially important, and successful, effort to preserve the Princeton site where George Washington led what was arguably the most important battlefield charge of that war.

In addition to preservation, the ABT provides outstanding educational programs and publications that explain and enhance our national heritage, with special efforts to inform our younger generations. I have always felt that my (modest) contributions are being well handled and applied directly toward its mission. I only wish I were in a position to do more to support this worthy organization.

As an avid Civil War "buff" , I became interested in battlefield preservation in 1988 as a member of APCWS. That early organization has now transformed into the American Battlefield Trust The mission has expanded to both land preservation, battlefield interpretation and educational programs. I am proud to be a member of this organization

I have been donating to this organization for over 20 years and have made in excess of 200 separate donations. I trust implicitly that the funds I donate go for exactly what they are intended and do not get eaten up in administrative costs and expenses. This organization not only does a great job in preserving battlefields and interpreting same, but also goes up and beyond to educate the future generation(s) about the Civil War, its causes and effects. Great organization!

I joined the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites in the late 1980s, soon after its formation, and have stuck with it through several expansions and name changes. At first I contributed to almost every one of the appeals for individual battlefields; some years back I became a Color Bearer, to support the overall endeavor and fill the gaps for individual appeals. For these three decades of constant involvement and support, I have felt confident that my contributions were well-managed and put to good and effective use. I have been pleased that this organization has cooperated with government entities and other organizations to leverage my contribution for the most "bang for the buck," and that it has sponsored educational programs that encourage the younger generation to study and appreciate our nation's history. I fully endorse the expansion of the mission to support preservation of all American battlefields. if you love our country and its heritage, there is no better organization to receive your contribution.

I have been a member of American Battlefield Trust going back to two successive organizations. Initially, I had an individual membership. Later, when I was employed by a large, national company that had a matching contribution program, I applied to them to include what was then the Civil War Trust in their list of recognized charities, which they did. From that time forward to the present, I have contributed at the Color Bearer level.
I have always had an abiding interest in the American Civil War, which I view as one of the three crucial events in American history - the others being the Revolutionary War, which the Trust has also been supporting for the last several years, and the development of the Constitution. These three events determined what the United States would be going forward. While the stories and places relative to the writing of the Constitution and its amendments are, for the most part, preserved in Philadelphia and Washington, DC, the two wars were fought over a much broader landscape. In order to tell those stories properly, it is essential to preserve the ground over which the action took place. You cannot conceive of the experiences of common soldiers and their officers on the field of battle without walking the ground - and that is where the Trust comes in.

While portions of some battlefields had been preserved by governmental organizations, as national, state and local parks, very few, if any, had been preserved in toto prior to the Trust's founding antecedents coming on the scene. Preservationists recognized the need to preserve battlefield land in perpetuity, adding acreage to existing parks and creating new ones. The result has been, and continues to be, a much enhanced visitor experience at all of the properties the Trust has been instrumental in preserving.
The Trust is also dedicated to ongoing educational efforts, for teachers and students, helping correct the problem of a national ignorance of our history.
A corollary result of battlefield preservation has been preservation (and in some cases creation) of open space.
Because of the Trust's methods for funding land purchases, through the leveraging of other funding sources, my contributions have always been doubled, tripled, and more. Its model has been so effective that other organizations have copied it.
I know of no better way to preserve American history.

I joined ABT almost 20 years ago and have amazed at what we've been able to accomplish in such a short time. 50000 plus acres of hallowed ground have been saved by us so I have seen firsthand how ABT has been good stewards with our donations.

As a former CPA, board member and chairman of various non-profits it is with great pleasure to be involved with an organization as well run as the American Battlefield Trust. The trust has always been upfront with where our funds have been applied and they "do preserve, educated and inspire" as advertised.

Martin and Barbara Plaster

I joined the American Battlefield Trust more than 25 years ago when it was called the Civil War Preservation Trust. Being interested in the Civil War as the greatest upheaval in our country since its beginning, I have always been interested in the many books and articles written about the conflict. In addition to reading about the events of the war, I have traveled all over the United States to visit the scenes of many of the battles that took place back in the 1860ies. Thanks to the efforts of the CWPT my visits to many of the battlefields have been enhanced by their efforts to preserve the Hallowed ground on which theses battles had been contested. Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chattanooga, Gettysburg, Antietam, Vicksburg are a few of the sites at which this organization has done great work to stave off commercial development and preserve the battlefields for future generations. Under the tutelage of Mr. Jim Lighthizer this organization has been a vigilant, enthusiastic and efficient savior of precious ground preserving landmarks for future generations. I have been able to see my donations go to very practical usage in saving endangered land. I have traveled in the UK to visit battlefields from the ancient past and found that one would be lucky to find a singe headstone denoting that famous battles had been fought where momentous victories had been won. The ABT is making sure that this does not happen to our heritage in this country. In the past few years, the CWPT has expanded its interest to include the Revolutionary War and that of 1812 in its purview. This bodes well for future historians who wish to visit battlefields of the past to get a feel for the lay of the land and the strategies that were employed. I have always been amazed at the constant level of enthusiasm that Mr. Lighthizer brings to his position as President of the organization. His obvious enjoyment of his mission to preserve is reflected in the group's many successes. There has never been a doubt in my mind that resources donated to this charity have been utilized in the best possible fashion.

The American Battlefield Trust truly fills an important place in the historic preservation of the American landscape. It's work in the acquisition and preservation of battlefield sites of all conflicts on the continent (Revolution, War of 1812, Indian Wars, Civil War, etc) ensures that future generations will be able to form a real understanding of the American Experience. The organization itself is a wonderful steward to members and contributors funds. I am a member and contributor, and could recommend the American Battlefield Trust to anyone who wants to make an investment in the story of America.

The American Battlefield Trust is far and away my favorite charity. ABT has defined their mission and they stick to it. I know my donations are going to Battlefield preservation or education, not some spur of the moment, peripheral idea. I especially like the opportunity to contribute to specific battlefield land acquisitions. This gives me a wonderful sense of accomplishment knowing that I have helped save our American history.

I have been involved with this organization about fifteen years. As a historian of sorts, I find their professionalism and execution of their primary goal of preserving iconic land second to none. They seem to run "lean" and do a lot with what they have. They also are open, easy to work with and very responsive. I have no hesitation in supporting this organization.

This is a great charity. They are efficient with their money, and they are making a real difference in preserving land for future generations and educating folks as to the importance of history. It is such a good feeling to walk the battlefields ABT has helped save and to know I have played a small part.

We have been connected to the American Battlefield Trust for well over 10 years and love helping preserve our history through battlefield preservation. We have visited many of these sites and believe full understanding of our history is so important to ensuring we all continue to enjoy the freedoms and liberty of this great country. Expansion of the mission to include Revolutionary battlefields has been great and allowed us to visit even more sites much closer to our home. The Trust is extremely cost efficient, leveraging public and private funds to do so much more with our contributions. A great cause, informative and important.

I have been supporting the Civil War Trust now the American Battlefield Trust for at least 10 years. From the beginning I was always struck by the fact that they were trying to buy/preserve a single parcel of land at a time, making each goal that much more realistic to obtain. I am amazed at the ability they have to recognize the importance of lands associated with the conflicts fought on them. On a visit to Manassas last year (my 1st to the battlefield), I was beyond more than surprised to find land purchased by the Trust along a rutty dirt back road, miles from the museum/National Park Center. Obviously they understand what they are saving for future generations before any chance of the land being subjected to developmental growth. Also, there ability to purchase property already zoned and settled on, and then bringing back to as close to possible a natural state, makes them champions of the cause.. I do and will continue to donate to this most worthy cause as much as possible for years to c0me. I am PROUD to be associated with this Great Organization!

As a 30 year History Educator, Living Historian, and Historical Musician, I have followed the growth and evolution of this organization nearly since it's inception. I have used their myriad of highly detailed maps both on my own excursions and as part of a three day Civil War odyssey I take my High School students on to further my interpretation of the sites we visit. With the recent addition of the video clips, again on a myriad of moments and topics, I have a new opportunity to expand my students understanding of these American Battles and Moments both in the classroom and on the Field, and to share with more reticent faculty, ways to integrate military history into their curriculum for their students.
Despite the evolution and expansion that has been ongoing...the Civil War Trust, now the American Battlefield Trust continues to satisfy their mission of preservation of these threatened historical gems. The video programs, well crafted and researched, will surely help to foster new generations of concerned citizens who will act as stewards to our history, and leave their children the richer for it.

Stanley W. Svec
History Department Chairman,
West Springfield Ma. 01089
svec@wsps.org

Have been a member for longer than I can remember. CWT is all about remembering . History can repeat itself if organizations like CWT didn't exist. By preserving the ground our forefathers shed their blood on, CWT can show the "elephant" that so many veterans of the Civil War wrote about. Preserving the battlefields our nation fought on and for can show future generations the "elephant" without needing to be in battle to experience what the actual participants went thru. Having the actual sites one can see what our forefathers faced not only in the Civil War but also the Revolutionary War.
Member
Charles A. Post (USMC Ret.)

I had ancestors who fought on both sides during the Civil War. I use the Civil War Trust on my Facebook and have enjoyed their daily historical posts. This keeps me educated on who I am as an American. I have also visited several Civil War sites that this non-profit organization has helped to preserve. The Civil War Trust is an important organization that keeps our history from being lost I feel that we, as Americans, forget about the sacrifices that our ancestors so passionately made in our past. To understand why and how these men fought for the country that we now have makes me appreciate where we are today.

The Civil War Trust does, and always has, exactly what its mission statement says. They save the ground and surrounding where are nation came to death grips with itself. Any non-profit that does that deserves our support, Currently, I am unable to contribute as much as I would like, but the Civil War Trust is worthy of every dime you can muster.

Excellent programs and outreach. All indications are that they are very concerned with using your donations wisely. Recommended. Also note their fairly new program for revolutionary war and war of 1812 conservancy.

The Civil War Trust is the best nonprofit for the preservation of civil war battlefields and historical significant places. Being a teacher, I appreciate their dedication to the education of teachers of anything civil war related. They are a great resource. Their website is the "go to" place to teach civil war. Teachers and students love it.
I have been fortunate to attend 3 teacher summer institutes and I can say they are the best professional development in any field of education. Dedicated and passionate. The Civil War Trust is preserving the civil war and helps teachers to educate the students on this important subject in our history

The Civil War Trust is one of the best non-profit groups to whom one can donate. They are always very clear with the goals for a particular fundraiser, and are very good at working behind the scenes to gather matching grants to provide even more impact to any dollar I donate. I always feel confident that the money I donate will go to battlefields, and I cannot think of a better organization to keep the mission moving forward than the Civil War Trust.

As a grandfather of 6 it gives comfort knowing an organization such as the Civil War Trust exists. I have donated to many of their campaigns which preserve our history for the future generations, without an organization such as this I believe our history would perish
I also make yearly plans to participate in th Trusts Park Days, another noble way of protecting our past and future, by far one of the best organization's around.

I have supported the Civil War Trust for over 10 years and I am currently a sustaining member. I decided to support CWT due to my love of history and the need to preserve the land so that future generations can better understand one of the most defining events in our nation's history. Over the years I have been very impressed with the leadership and overall management of CWT. In addition to saving the hallowed ground from the Civil War, CWT restores the land to the way it was in the 1860s adding to the authenticity of what the organization does with donor's contributions. CWT also hosts and sponsors many educational programs, ensuring that our youngest citizens learn more about our heritage in a meaningful way. This organization is deserving of your support.

I have been a member for over ten years and am very proud of it. I support only a small number of charities and CWT is right behind my Church. I have complete confidence that they use the money wisely and have a low administrative cost. The battlefields must be preserved now or lost forever and the CWT is doing all that can be done. Jim Cross

The Civil War Trust is my sole non-religious charity. I certainly believe in the mission; I am very confident that the Civil War Trust spends money wisely. I have been impressed with the programs it supports and appreciate its openness with its finances.

I am a retired C.P.A. In my fifty year career I came in contact with many non-profits. Without a doubt , The Civil War Trust is one of the best run that I have ever seen. Their excellent leadership runs all the way to the lower levels. Their low costs of administration is a testimony of their fine leadership. They live their mission.

I have been a member since the Civil War Trust was known as the Civil War Preservation Trust. Since I was 9 I have been an avid, maybe even rabid, fan of American Civil War history. I have traveled many battlefields and see the consistent results of the work and commitment of the CWT to preservation. They truly work tirelessly to ensure these lands are are enshrined just by ensuring their untarnished state. Given the unquenchable hunger of developers, these times are critical to serve our ancestors who devoted their lives to ensuring our country was not split in two. And for those who chose to serve their southern states, they too deserve our respect, for it was through their convictions for separation that forged a greater conviction to preserve our union, as one untied country that we all now, or should be, so appreciative. To walk these fields today not only keeps their memories alive, it is also a respite for us to pause in the quiet and stillness which would otherwise be transgressed into places of distraction and noise. I am very particular in who I give, whether money or time. The CWT is the action that most reflects some of my core values. I most ardently encourage you to support their mission.

I became interested in the Civil War as a voracious reader in grade school, and never lost my fascination with battles and battlefields. Thus I was delighted some 20 or more years ago when I discovered the Civil War Trust and learned about the priceless work this organization does to preserve our battlefields and our heritage. Since then I have made almost 100 donations to their fund- raising efforts for battlefield preservation projects. I am constantly amazed at the zeal exhibited in finding matching funds to multiply the amounts that I was able to donate many times. President Jim Lighthizer has my total admiration for the tireless work he and his staff do to search out preservation opportunities and generate funding requests in rapid fashion. I understand over 90% of funds donated result in acreage purchases, an outstanding statistic. Since becoming a donor my wife and I have visited dozens of battlefields, consulting the excellent battle maps and descriptions the Trust provides, and thrill in the knowledge that we are walking on land we have helped preserve for generations to come. I heartily recommend this nonprofit to anyone who is looking for a very worthwhile purpose to support!

I have been a member of the Civil War Trust (CWT) for at least ten years. I have been a member of other historical non-profit organizations but I can say that the CWT is the absolute best in my experience. The CWT puts the mission first, keeps its operating expenses at a reasonable level and treats and respects its donors very well. More importantly the CWT has achieved outstanding success at its core mission of battlefield preservation.

My abiding interest in Americas's Civil War began in the 1950s following a visit to the Gettysburg battlefield. The transcendent experience of walking a battlefield added a dimension to my high school study of the era, resulting in continued battlefield visits.
Being descended from, as well as related to participants on both sides of the conflict ,my discovery of the Civil War Trust provided a vehicle for continued study and an opportunity to support the acquisition of rapidly vanishing battlefields--thus preserving them for study and appreciation by America's posterity.
The Trust has enjoyed enlightened and focused leadership by its President and Board of Trustees. who have employed leverage afforded by matching of available Federal, State, and foundation funds to maximized the contributions of the Trust's fifty five thousand active members thus ,enabling the purchase of over forty thousand acres of land and related historic structures.

Over eighty five percent of donated funds end up purchasing land.

I have been a Civil War Trust member and donor for many years. The leadership of this entity is second to none in being focused on the goals of the Trust, and working tirelessly to achieve them, efficiently and productively. The way the leadership of the Trust is able to combine matching funds from various sources to serve as a multiplier of our fundraising is remarkable. I think the core values of the member/donors of this organization are shared entirely by the leaders of the organization, rather than having leaders focused as much on their own nest egg than on the group's goals. The gold standard, plain and simple!

My wife and I have been making donations to the Civil War Trust (and its predecessors) for almost 25 years. Although we are avid Civil War enthusiasts, we are also passionate about saving the hallowed ground on which the brave men of that era fought and died for what they believed in. We know that the vast majority of our contributions to the Civil War Trust will be spent to purchase and improve these lands so that future generations may walk these same fields and gain a better understanding of this period of our history. The men and women of the Civil War Trust are the best possible advocates for saving battlefield property and have proven themselves to be excellent stewards of all donations they receive. We give to several charitable organizations and the Civil War Trust is the one we hold in highest esteem. If only all other charities were operated with such integrity and professionalism!

A person can understand the issues that led to the Civil War by reading a book or watching a video. But, to really appreciate a major battle, and the sacrifice and courage of the soldiers who fought and died, you must see the battlefield. The reality is that Americans cannot look to government to purchase the battlefields to protect and preserve them for future generations of Americans. I contribute to the Civil War Trust to pool my money with that of others to protect America's heritage by purchasing land that would inevitably be developed. The appeals are detailed and compelling. I feel my donations are well spent. And, receiving the high quality magazine the CWT publishes would be worth my annual membership.

I FEEL GREAT PRIDE IN GIFTING AN ORGANIZATION THAT USES THE GIFT SO DILIGENTLY TO PRESERVE THE BATTLEFIELDS AND HISTORY OF THE COURAGEOUS YOUNG MEN OF THE USA AND CSA IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. THE PRESERVATION OF THESE FIELDS WILL HELP TEACH GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS THE COST AND FOLLY OF WAR AND THE VALOR OF THEIR ANCESTORS.

The Civil War was the defining event in our history. To really know what happened you need to walk the battlefields that the Civil War Trust helps to preserve.

This organization excels at it's mission of battlefield preservation through excellent decision making regarding what needs to be done, coupled with outstanding skill in partnering with other organizations to maximize contributions from donors. The Trust's highly efficient management system minimizes daily operating costs so that the bulk of donor dollars is spent acquiring historically significant land, not just running the office.

I've been a member of the Civil War Trust from the day that it started and continue to be impressed with what they do with my donations. They are the premier battlefield preservation organization in the country, and richly deserve their ranking with Charity Navigator. You can not give your preservation dollars to a better organization.

After so many years of being a consumer of our National Parks and Battlefields, I had an awakening: it wasn't enough to enjoy these places, I needed to take action. You can tell what's really important to people by how they spend their time, and where they spend their money. There are many, many great organizations in America, but the Civil War Trust is among the best. Their overhead is extremely low (how many "charities" have you heard where half the income goes toward salaries and benefits?) and they are masters at finding matching grants and working philanthropists. Now that they are actively engage in Revolutionary War and War of 1812 preservation, so much more of our precious history will be saved for generations of Americans to enjoy. Once a subdivision or a Walmart is built on hollowed ground, it's lost forever. We can't save everywhere, but the Civil War Trust is making admirable strides to do so.

My husband and I have donated to the Civil War Trust for many years. We've always had complete confidence that our donations would be used in the best way possible and the CWT has never let us down. Nearly all of the funds raised go toward their mission with a bare minimum to overhead. Having worked in the non-profit world, this is very important to me in choosing charities to support. The CWT track record is second to none in battlefield preservation and education efforts surrounding this vital part of our nation's history.

My favorite place to donate for saving history for my grandchildren. My wife and I have donated for a number of years and never have been disappointed at the use of donations, great management staff who are in for the love of history rather than personal gain, and giving education to schools.

I started making small donations to the Civil War Trust about 15 years ago. Although I had an interest in the history of the Civil War in my early 20's I had drifted away as I grew older. It was only after I retired from 27 years of enlisted service in US Army Reserves that I decided to begin to support for the preservation of the battlefields of this war as a memorial of all the volunteers who served. I have continued to donate for 15 years and am extremely pleased with this goals of this organization.

My wife and I have supported the Civil War Trust for more than a decade. Between us, we share 8 Civil war ancestors, including one killed in action, one who died of disease on the field, and one who was imprisoned in the war's most notorious prison camp. For our ancestors, the Civil War was the defining event of their lives. With each passing generation, the memory of their sacrifice and heroism fades one more step in the collective memory of our descendants. The Civil War Trust provides the means to preserve a memory that can only be appreciated by standing where they stood, seeing what they saw, and feeling what they felt. There are few charitable organizations where you the direct impact of your contribution can be seen more concretely than with the Civil war Trust.

The CWT is focused like a laser beam on its mission: preserving Civil War battlefields. They keep their costs low and dedicate a larger portion of contributions to their stated mission than any other charity I have ever studied. They are also doing a fine job with interpreting Civil War battlefields they have saved and teaching younger generations. The CWT knows they can't save every battlefield and are forced to make hard choices. But they make smart choices, getting the most preservation "bang" for the buck.

My wife, Lavonne, and I have been members of the Civil War Trust for approximately two decades!! Only our little local Calvary Baptist Church in Urbana, Il. is held in higher esteem than this nonprofit organization!! This Trust is something that represents one of the highest honors we can be a part of ; it represents honor and country and would appreciate your looking into this nonprofit as soon as you can!!
The Civil War Trust represents people who honor our country---America, the United States of America, and that is the "key" that has allowed us to give with such enthusiasm all of these two decades---some 88 times we have been told along with monthly gifts---that allow me to be an honored Color Bearer!! Yes, the U.S.A. is the greatest country in the world, but it would not have been if we had not remained united after the American Civil War from 1860 to 1865. If President Lincoln had not been the leader he was at the time and allowed the union to be dissolved, the U.S.A. would not have been the great country it became in the 20th century! It would have been two much less powerful and impressive countries that could not have had the influence it had during the 20th century and on into the 21st century as we have all been blessed with over the years. All of the huge losses of men, women, and children during the American Civil War were essentially what we honor so very much with our donations and reading of American Civil War texts. The deaths of so many hundred thousands along with all of the maiming and injuries that occurred we have honored through our interest in and donations to this Trust! Yes, these are the ones we honor when we so gladly give monies to the Civil War Trust!!
Just today I and my wife received an "urgent" letter from President Jim Lighthizer of the CWT that requested monies to support a recent small ---but very important---piece of ground that was to be auctioned off for commercial use in the Antietam Battlefield of Maryland, which was one of the most important battles of the entire American Civil War! Because of the urgency of the need for monies......my wife and I discussed this need and quickly decided that sending some money to the Trust would be most necessary for us to do!! We sat down and wrote another personal check to the Civil War Trust so that this piece of vital land could be saved and preserved for all time.......for the generations of Americans and all the peoples of the world who will honor those who died and were injured at Antietam during our Civil War! We are retired people and are having to watch all the pennies we spend now to make our retirement last because I, as a private family doctor, had to provide my own retirement, and when it is gone it is gone! But the Civil War Trust is part of our legacy to the generations of Americans who will follow us in the future throughout the coming years......and we feel that we need to protect these sacred battlefields so that the coming generations may have the joy of feeling the legacy of the United States of America---its honor, its import in the world, and finally the impact of it remaining united ---remaining the United States of America!!
Thank you, Dr. Robert & Lavonne Brunner

I have donated to the Civil War Trust for many years and intend to continue doing so even in my retirement. The world is full of good causes, not all of which are well served by the organizations purporting to support them. Accordingly I am careful about choosing to donate. The Civil War Trust is one of my top choices for several reasons. First, the work they do to preserve historically significant sites is very important, not only to honor the memory of those who fought and died there but also as a constant reminder to successive generations of their sacrifice. Second, in an age when urban sprawl and unending development threaten to eliminate what remains of open space in key areas, the Trust plays a vital role in preserving what is effectively park land for future generations to enjoy. Third, I appreciate that the Trust's efforts save these sites for the long term -- even "permanently" if such a thing is possible. Finally, the Trust has an amazing record of using its funds efficiently, leveraging them in combination with other funding sources to achieve the maximum benefit for the money expended. Over the years the Trust has repeatedly demonstrated that it well deserves support, and I encourage everyone to contribute and thus own a piece of both the past and the future.

There are charities that are working for 'someday' things, those causes that we can hope will come true. They are important but the Civil War trust is holding our history. The dollars I give insures future generations don't lose their heritage. I don't have to worry that my heirs won't get to see the unvarnished truth of the struggle to forge this nation. No politics will ever be able to hide the truth of what these old battlefields contain. For they are our monuments to who and what we were and have become.

The Civil War Trust is an organization that epitomizes what a charity should be. In the 20 some years it has been my pleasure to support them I have never known them to waste a dime of funds. They are the best in my book!

I have donated to the Civil War Trust for over 20 years and been very satisfied with the results. The use of the funds collected mostly goes to the use described in the request as it should . Living in The West makes it difficult to visit battle fields in the East but CWT's magazine Hollowed Grounds does an excellent job of keeping me up to date on both the Battle Field activities but also how the finances are distributed.
AEN, California

I have donated to the Civil War Preservation Trust for over 10 years, and consistently donate when they have special appeals for development threatened battle sites to make sure that these hallowed grounds are preserved for our future generations to learn how tremendous the sacrifice was for all those who fought in those battles. I have visited many of the sites in PA & MD. My first visit to Gettysburg was in 1970 and have seen the great progress made in restoration and education since that visit. I will continue to contribute to help purchase new areas as they become available and support demolishing the modern buildings occupying that land and recreating the land as it was on the original battlefileds

The Civil War Trust is an outstanding organization. It operates with great discipline and vision, and actively inspires its members to support and engage. There are many positive lessons and best practices that nonprofits can learn from CWT.
I have supported them for 15 years and will continue to do so long into the future. Keep up the great work!

I have been a member of TheCivil War Trust since the early 1980's.
In that time we have been able to save over 40,000 acre of battlefields.
I believe it is important to save valuable land in many different states.it will help to educate and stimulate people to take an active interest in our history.in this way,we can help children understand how important it is know there heritage and what values they need for a full rounded life.
The Trust is best organization to fulfill that mission in efficiency,thriftiness and organization.it has been awarded many honors.And the government has asked us to take the lead in preserving Revolutionary and War of 1812 sites also!
I would highly recommend joining this organization to help preserve more land and sites.
Sincerely,
Mark Allen Weigand

Been a member of the CWT for years. Money well spent. Would hate to think what would have happened to all this land those battlefields sit on if developers destroyed it. I have ancestors that fought in the Civil War and helping save this land gives me the opportunity to visit this hallowed ground.

While I have been a member of the Civil War Trust for a relatively "few" years, I have been inclined to donate (they say eleven times, but I find that hard to believe) to the Civil War Trust constantly when asked. It is absolutely imperative that we save Civil War battlefields from being used for development by businesses. Our future generations must learn and know what great sacrifices were made by our forebears to save our precious freedom and great country - to learn how we got "here". I have found their leadership and tireless efforts to save such memorable locations inspiring. Their efforts, combined with their highest rating for integrity and amount of funds used in restoration and saving lands will be forever remembered. For example, just think what visitors, young and old alike, must feel when seeing Robert E. Lee's headquarters at Gettysburg and trying to get a sense of what it must have been like to exist in that environment as decisions were being made affecting the outcome of battles that decided the future of our country. I have nothing but the highest regard for their integrity and work in promoting the notion that "We must never forget the great sacrifices and indeed preserve our heritage for future generations".

The work they is great. They always get top-notch results for all the projects.

I contribute because I know my money will be used efficiently and quickly.

Can't say enough good about the CWT. Been a member for many years and feel privileged to contribute to a charity that spends our donated $ on its mission, not on its fundraising or administration. In addition to buying up hallowed ground that would otherwise be lost to the American people, CWT educates and informs through its periodical and online. The Trust has earned my trust over and over and over.

I have been a supporting member of the Civil War Trust for many years. Their work to preserve sacred battlefield grounds all over the country is unparalled and so very important. No piece of property is too large or too small for them to take on, and I consider it a privilege to help them financially every time I can. Keep up the great work in preserving our Civil War heritage by preserving the land where it took place!

It has been 22 years since we started sending donations along with our memberships to support Civil War Trust. I am proud of the work that our 282 donations have helped the CWT to save. Every time the quarterly publications it is amazing how many acres have been saved. Amazing what can happen when like minded people work toward a common goal.

I am a retired physician whose grandfather fought at Vicksburg in the Civil War, thus my initial interest in this portion of our country's history. I have been a contributor to the Trust since its inception. The Trust has been the most efficiently run, trustworthy organization it has ever been my privilege to support. I know that every penny I contribute will be fully & properly utilized. I have been a regimental contributor for about 5 years, and will continue my support as long as I can.

The Civil War Trust is one of the best run preservation groups of which I have been a member since its inception. They have magical powers to multiply their donors funds and keep their administrative cost at a very reasonable level. The leadership of this organization is professional, passionate, dedicated and extremely effective. It doesn't get any better than this!

My wife and I have been members of the Civil War Trust and its prior organizations for over 17 years. Our initial motivation in joining was a strong desire to bring history alive to those of our and future generations-particularly young people. Over the years we have seen our participation in the CWT grow as the successes of the organization have mounted. Their introduction of new technologies to educational outreach coupled with an outstanding leveraging of the Civil War Sesquicentennial into getting the messages out to a large population has been fantastic! CWT has expanded its historical reach over the last couple years into the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 events. This has been done with no compromise to the initial Civil War charter. We would encourage anyone interested in forwarding the progress of historical preservation and educational outreach to join the CWT as an active supporter of its mission. We are certain that you will be as pleased as we are with your experience. The financial support provided by the CWT members and friends is very effectively managed by the staff.

I have been involved with land preservation organizations for more than forty years. Civil War Trust is absolutely top drawer. They are wise stewards of my money and the public monies they use to match as often as such funds are available. The Trust has saved an enormous amount of seriously endangered battlefield land in the relatively short period of their activity under the leadership of Jim Lighthizer. They are the best.

In April of 1994, I walked the Battlefield in Fredricksburg. It was a cold rainy day. After I finished my walk I went into town on the main street looking for a café to warm up. As I walked, I saw a store front with wonderful paintings of Civil War sites. I went in and that was the beginning of my membership in the Civil War Preservation. Then it was the APCWS, as I remember Dennis Frye was there that day. I joined, membership was $15.00, it was the best money I ever spent. This organization uses my donations so effectively. I have been able to go to the Sites we have saved and actually see where those donations have gone. Jim Lighthizer does an amazing job, along with his Board and Staff. This is the only organization, that always meets my expectations when I donate. M.L Meadows

I am a retired educator with a history background and a keen interest in the Civil War. The CWT is my number one recipient of my limited donation dollars. They are the standard my which I judge all other organizations that receive my donations. I know my dollars will go directly to the requested project that has been targeted. They emphasize all the important areas. They target preservation, education and dissemination of information to members and the general public. They are transparent, friendly and make you feel that it is an honor to have you as a member. When I donate $25.00, they respond in such a manner that I feel as if I donated $125,000. I cannot say enough about this tremendous organization.

I have been a member for more years than I can remember. The Trust has saved thousands of acres of battlefield land from being developed and has greatly added to the perpetuation of America's heritage. For the past few years the Trust has increased its role by preserving Revolutionary War sites and seeking to preserve locations from other American conflicts. Even if you are not interested in military history, think of the green space that will be passed down to future generations. With so much that has been already lost, the role of the Trust is vital in the 21st century. Membership brings a quarterly magazine, plus numerous appeals, some just days apart. You can pick what to support. Their web site offers a great amount of information on battlefields large and small, including downloadable maps that are great for actually going to see the battlefields. The Trust is also investing in educational programs to extend curriculum for schools and offer opportunities for adults, as well. When a site is gone, it is gone for ever. Do we need more malls and housing developments on land where Americans paid the ultimate sacrifice, or can we honor their sacrifice and pass more open space to our descendants?

The Civil War Trust is a wonderful organization with a laser sharp focus on the preservation of the battlefields of the Civil War (and now the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 too). In order to preserve new lands, we must also educate others as to the importance of these battlefields. Through educational efforts, the Trust insures the knowledge about these battles is preserved, along with the land itself.

The Civil War Trust is one of the greatest nonprofit organizations in the USA. I have been a financial supporter for 17 years and have attended many of the Trust events. There is nothing like taking a tour of the battlefields at Gettysburg and Antietam and realizing it was these places and others like them where great battles were fought in the name of freedom. The Trust has great guides that will make history come alive almost to the point of believing you were actually there when the contests took place. If you like history and are interested in preserving history and the environment for future generations to enjoy, the Civil War Trust is for you.

The mission of the Civil War Trust (CWT) is a unique one of preserving our Civil War battlegrounds and educating a new generation as to the significance of the Civil War. The work of identifying, purchasing the battleground, preserving it, and returning it to the National Park Service is truly an amazing feat. I was attracted to this unusual mission in 2010 and became a Board member of the CWT in 2011. My level of support has been constant as I have given twenty-one gifts during this period. Clearly, I am an enthusiastic supporter of all that the Trust does.

The Civil War Trust is one of my favorite nonprofits. I have been a member for a number of years and continue to be pleased with the dedication of the staff to historic preservation and with the excellent communications received from the CWT. Supporting the CWT allows donors to preserve our country's history, preserve open space for future generations, and gain access to in-depth information about the Civil War. I also applaud the CWT for undertaking a separate effort to preserve battlefields of the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. Keep up the good work.

It has been my pleasure and honor to have been tallied on the membership roles of the Civil War Trust since the organization was founded via the mergers of the (former) Civil War Trust and the Association for the Preservation of Civil War sites, Inc. Over these many, many years, I have generously and consistently donated personal assets to the Trust in order to directly support their noble mission. And because I am extraordinarily proud of the Trust and its peerless accomplishments, I have encouraged my family and friends to do so, as well. And they have.. (Or, else!)

A word about Civil War Trust management and staff, but first a little background: My professional calling involves security management consulting with The Fairfax Group, McLean, VA. (My twenty-year employer.) Our fine clients number among the top multinational corporations in the world, and I have managed many dozens of sensitive internal inquiries for GE; Toyota; Coca Cola; Siemens; IMF; US Chamber of Commerce; and the World Bank, among many other noteworthy entities.

This in-depth professional exposure has allowed me the opportunity to assess, real-time, business and legal entities "at work," and I respectfully offer, without reservation, that the Civil War Trust is among the best-led and staffed of any group within my professional experience.

Point being, CWT does things right, and not insignificantly, legally transparent, and I was indeed pleased to learn President Jim Lighthizer has recently "signed on" for another three-year hitch.

As long as I am around--and afterwards--I will continue to support the Civil War Trust, my "favorite cause."

The CWT works tirelessly to save and preserve our nation's history. They keep members well up to date on all projects and not 1 penny of our donations are wasted. They're an A+ organization.

I have been a member of the Civil War Trust since 2006. I am very proud to have done a small part in furthering its mission to save hallowed ground. President Jim Lightizer and his staff are very committed to their mission and it is quite rewarding to walk on the battlefields we have helped save. The Civil War Trust is my favorite and most trusted non-profit and I have left a legacy for them in my will.

I am someone who appreciates the history of our nation and those special places that we can visit to learn from our past. I thus support those organizations that have the mission to preserve these special places, and who also strive to educate others on the significance of these special places. I grew up in Virginia and developed a particular interest in the Civil War as a result. I recall visiting Antietam, Harper's Ferry, Gettysburg, and Manassas as a 4th and 5th grader (a LONG time ago!) and thinking how 'cool' it was to visit the actual locations where history was made - I certainly did not understand the strategy of the over all campaigns, but that did not matter. I walked on the Burnside Bridge, on Bloody Lane, in Devil's Den, and visited the Stone House - I stood on the Hallowed Ground where brothers fought each other and that made an impact on me. I recall thinking what a good thing it was that these locations were saved so that people like me could visit and appreciate what happened there. For me - it simply brought the classroom lessons and textbooks to life!

Today I look back and count 17+ years that I have been a proud member and donor of the Civil War Trust. There are numerous organizations that I could have chosen, but I've selected the CWT because it is first and foremost, extremely effective with the funds it collects and increases these funds greatly by doing a fantastic job collaborating with other groups to match donations. The CWT is a very well run, well organized team that has strong committed leadership. The CWT team has a passion to save our civil war battlefields and has implemented a number of tools to educate and to create an understanding of the events that took place on our nation's hallowed ground, including on line tools and maps. I've attended several CWT events/tours including the 4 most recent annual conferences and each has been superbly organized and informative.

For my stated interest to preserve and to educate, the Civil War Trust earns an A+ and I look forward to help to continue the mission.

i am a serious student of the Civil War and my favorite experience is going to battlefields and actually walking the ground hallowed by the blood of Americans on both sides of this horrible war. Ensuring that others may also have this experience is, therefore very important to me. I have been a member of the Civil War trust for many years and have been amazed at the incredible work done to preserve this crucial heritage for all Americans,repeatedly saving these hallowed grounds form becoming subdivisions, malls or OMG! casinos. The land purchased by the Trust is forever protected. There work is so important, we are all fortunate to the Trust working for us. Everyone should pitch in!!

I have been an ardent supporter of The Civil War Trust (CWT) for the past 10 years initially as a Regimental Color Bearer and shortly thereafter as a Division Color Bearer (Color Bearer program represents top supporters). The CWT is the foremost organization dedicated to preserving hallowed American Civil War battlegounds where so many of our ancestors struggled to define American rights and freedoms. Every member of the CWT staff exhibits a deep desire and concern for this endeavor and demonstrate a financial stewardship rarely found in most organizations of this type. The CWT is committed to educating the public on the historical significance of the Civil War and its associated historical sites toward shaping subsequent American culture and ongoing freedoms.

I've been a member for ~15 years. Growing up in California, the Civil War was a distant place. Then the Army assigned me to Washington DC. As a military history buff, this assignment put me in the "heart of war". My family and I have visited a number of battlefields (Bull Run, Balls Bluff, Antietam, Gettysburg, Ft Donelson, Fredricksburg, Winchester, etc.) Having family who fought on both sides, visiting this battlefields brings history alive! I am an active donor, having contributed to over 150 fund raising campaigns. I enjoy the battle maps and over the years, I am pleased to see that more land has been acquired for our future generations to come visit these battlefields.

I view my participation with the Civil War Trust as one small way to give back to my country and the generations that follow.

My husband and I have been members of the Trust for at least 10 years. The Trust's mission is to save battlefields, hallowed by American blood. Once this ground is lost to development, it will never be reclaimed and future generations will never know what our ancestors did. There is no better way to learn history than walk these sites. To help us learn, the Trust offers excellent educational programs -- we have been privileged to attend several annual conferences and walked the battlefields along with nationally recognized historians to better understand what happened. The ongoing focus to educate our youth through teacher institutes helps prepare future generations to continue to focus on saving this ground.

I have been a member of, and donor to, the Civil War Trust for more than two decades. As the years have passed and my ability to be a bit more generous has increased, I have moved the Trust to near the top of the list of organizations I support; I recently reached the "Regimental Color Bearer" donor level.

I consider the mission of the trust---working to preserve our Civil War battlefields, protecting the land, and educating the public about the significance of these areas in the history of our country---to be meeting critical needs. Many of the battlefields are not only important historical sites, but also are located in lovely rural landscapes that are a joy to visit. (Thus my preference for the quiet, peaceful glories of the Maryland countryside at Antietam over nearby, better-known Gettysburg.) The Trust has made critical contributions by protecting these sites against some of the worst incursions of our "modern" society, and is by far the leading organization nationally that continues this 21st century battle.

The materials produced by the Trust are helping current and future generations to understand the role of the Civil War in the development of our country. I particularly appreciate the even-handedness and impartiality of the Trust in presenting that history in ways that avoid demeaning either side in the struggle. I also was pleased to learn of the Trust's recent efforts to assist in preserving the Princeton battlefield of the Revolutionary War.

The Civil War Trust offers its membership a wide range of opportunities to assist in preserving battlefields in various regions of our country; one can pick and choose according to one's own predilections. I consider it a privilege to be able to support the Civil War Trust in carrying out its mission.


G. Richard Wynn
Haverford, Pennsylvania
October 12, 2015

I can't say enough great things about this worthy organization. Their work preserving our Nation's heritage and ensuring that ground hallowed with the blood of gallant men demonstrates a commitment many groups lack and, equally important, they are the benchmark of nonprofit efficiency. I know that my donations aren't being wasted on unproductive overhead and actually help the the Civil War Trust obtain even more funding through matching funds, often at a 10:1 increases. I only regret that I did not begin donating sooner!

The Civil War Trust is helping save critical civil war real estate that otherwise would be lost to development. The Civil War is what defined us as a country and Americans need to save this hollowed ground for current and future generations so that they may walk over this blood stained ground and get some sense of the brutal battles that helped to form our great country. Multi media is fine but we can not afford to lose the actual real estate of these many battles. Because of the Civil War Trust's ability to partner with other organizations as well as with state governments I know that my donations will save these battle grounds forever. What a great gift to the American people.

Having been a member of the Civil War Trust for over 20 years, I can not think of a better organization dedicated to preserving our Nations history for future generations! This is very important to me since I taught US History for over 36 years. Young people today need a hands on experience ( Battlefield visits) rather than just a book to really make a strong connection to their past.The actions of the Civil War Trust and its donors are insuring this experience for years to come.

I have been a member of the CWT for over 20 years. I firmly believe in the mission of the CWT which is to preserve and protect the Hallowed Grounds upon which the Civil War was waged. The CWT does a tremendous job. If you have never visited a Civil War Battlefield, please do so, and you will understand the importance of preserving these areas.

I consider The Civil War Trust to be one of the most important charities I donate to. I have visited numerous battlefields over the years, so when I get a request from Jim Lighthizer that there is land to be saved at a specific site, I can visualize how it can impact the battlefield experience. The maps the Trust sends are a wonderful history lesson and have made me want to see more. The magazine Hallowed Ground is a comprehensive look at various aspects of the war. Having peered thru the forest at The Wilderness or stood on the edge of the cornfield at Antietam or looked out over the field of Picketts charge at Gettysburg I have a desire to help preserve so others may experience what I have. I have complete confidence that every dollar I give is being put to it's best use.

I have been a member for about a decade. The Civil War Trust does an excellent job preserving our historic sites. Many of these locations are at risk of being lost due to development and sprawl. The Civil War Trust does a great job monitoring these threats and saving land for future generations.

I have been a sustaining CWT member for well over a decade and I have seen the Trust work wonders when it comes to battlefield preservation. I am a teacher from Iowa so I cannot visit these battlefields at will. However, the Civil War Trust has done an amazing job at preserving land so that when summer comes, I can actually visit and explore the battlefields they protect. Not only do they preserve battlefields, the Trust does an amazing job at interpretation and engaging Civil War enthusiasts of all ages with 21st century technology and social media. With the Civil War Trust, battlefields from Pennsylvania to Missouri have been saved for all to enjoy!

I have been a contributing donor to the Civil War Preservation Trust for the past 14 years; and have provided 64 different donations to the organization since then. I will continue to do so and have arranged donation of a part of my estate after my demise.
These people speak my language and know what is important; as a recently retired National Park Service Ranger from a premier Civil War battlefield (Gettysburg)I have seen firsthand the positive impact this organization has made and continues to make on preserving so much of our national story. In all my contacts with the staff of this organization I have experienced nothing but true profressionalism and a real passion for historic preservation. Since no other organization has stepped up to meet the challenge and the Park Service continues to experience budgetary restrictions the CWPT has also commenced preservation efforts to conserve our Revolutionary War sites. I am truly encouraged by these efforts; I spent 5 years in Boston prior to my service at Gettysburg; maybe the grounds at the Bunker Hill Monument where "a thousand men lay bleeding" upon its slopes on 17 Jun 1775 will become more than a dog poop park.

I have been contribting to the Civil War Trust for about 20 years and will continue to do so until I die as well as leave a bequest when I do die. When I visit a Civil War battlefield I have a sense of awe for what transpired there. This was war on our own land between soldiers on both sides who believed firmly in what they were fighting for. Their courage annd their sacrifices cannot be overestated and shouod never be forgotten. Civil War battlefields were made hallow by their blood and we today owe it to them to preserve that land as sacred. The Trust spends an exremely high percentage of donations on its mission because so much of the administrative work is by unpoaid voliunteers and the Trust is run with great efficiency. Being retired and on a limited fixed income, I have had to curtail the number of charities to which I donate. But I will always find funds to support the Civil War Trust. I stoongly encourage everyone to support the Civil War Trust to the fullest extent they can.

I have been a member of the Civil War Trust for 15 years and am proud to have donated 150+ gifts to help the preservation of Civil War battlefields. I like the way CWT partners with other preservation groups, the efforts made to keep CWT members apprised of the work being done to save our history, and the efforts to educate young people so that our Civil War history is never forgotten. MY wife and I have visited many battlefields, large and small, and every time I find a sign with the CWT emblem I know that we are doing everything we can to protect this hallowed ground for future generationsl.

I have been a member of the Civil War Trust for more than a dozen years. It was the Civil War Preservation Trust when I first joined. The name has changed and mission has grown through Campaign 1776 to include Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites in addition to the core mission of preserving Civil War battlefields. My wife and I have upgraded our membership over time and are currently Regimental Color Bearers.

To see land that was either endangered or once thought lost to be protected or reclaimed again and again is outstanding. Whether it’s at a well-known site such as Gettysburg, PA or more remote locations like Glorieta Pass, NM or Palmito Ranch, TX the Trust’s staff does not hold back. They treat each preservation opportunity with the same level of commitment. I have contributed to individual efforts that were focused on as few as .3 acres to campaigns that saved hundreds of acres at a single battlefield.

In 2004, as a budding new Civil War traveler, I was driving south from the Shiloh National Military Park to Tupelo MS with a good friend when he noted that the site of the Battle of Brice's Crossroads was nearby. We had read about this small battle but really did not expect to see much more at the site than a monument amid the local, privately owned, countryside. We found instead, over 1000 acres preserved with walking paths, interpretive signs, and even a parking area. The entire area was open to the public---I am from the West where public land is very common and had come to realize how rare land that is open to the public is in the East. We read the interpretive signs and discovered the land was preserved and the site maintained by the Civil War Preservation Trust...now the Civil War Trust. This was my first encounter with the Trust and each encounter since...at Fredricksburg; at Gettysburg; at South Mountain; at Antietam; at the North Anna River; at Gaines' Mills; at Brandy Station; and many, many other sites I found the Trust had saved and preserved battlefield land permanently for present and future citizens and visitors to our country to walk on, to ponder what happened there, and pay their respects to soldiers of both sides in the war who fought and died for what they believed in. As a person who studies history and as a veteran, I believe this is a very important act. Simply by preserving this ground, the Civil War Trust has deserved my support since that day in 2004..but they do so much more. The trust is very active, among many other things, in promoting education and activities for school children to develop their understanding of the Civil War. ..along with their teachers. As a Westerner, I also appreciate the value the preserved land has as public access green space in the crowded East. Not all the folks who tramp about on all those trails on CWT sites are Civil War buffs...but they may well gain an understanding of the place if they look about and appreciate what they see. The people who run the trust are very dedicated, very professional, and maintain an enthusiasm for their valuable work that is admirable. I honor them as their inspired work is creating a timeless legacy for the country. I shall continue to enthusiastically support their efforts to the best of my ability.

If you care about the history of this country and believe in the preservation of history, then this is the organization to join.

I have been with them many years and have never been disappointed or misled about where my donations go. They do a fantastic job. Now with their teacher and student education efforts, they are helping adults and youth value history and preservation and helping overcome the deficit of history being taught in schools.

I'm proud to belong to the Civil War Trust.

From Bernie & Kathy Campbell
Florence, SC

We have contributed to the Civil War Trust over the past two decades. Initially drawn to their commitment to preserving Civil War battlefields and infrastructure, we have more recently come to appreciate their plans for “future preservation.”

Specifically, the CWT has developed opportunities for students and teachers to learn more about our past through a variety of virtual & on-site visits to Civil War related sites.

Kathy & I feel privileged to assist future generations in experiencing our history – and to interpret it – as best they can.

We thank the CWT for making it easy for us to contribute to this effort.

One of the most helpful things the Trust does is keep its donors very current on the status of the results of their donations. Each donation is to a specific project and we know when an action has been taken on the project. This really encourages donors to stay active in the effort on future projects. We know when our efforts have succeeded.

We have been Color Bearer Members since 2005 and have been honored to help save over 150 sites. For the past 6 years I have been visiting schools in SD and WY and sharing what I have learned with students. Since these states were not here during this time in our history, it is difficult getting students interest. Wonderful teachers and exceptional help from the Civil War trust has made it much easier. I visit with about 1800 students a year and teachers, parents and students are stunned by how much help I get from the Trust. This year we had 6 teachers from SD attend the Teachers Academy. This clearly shows how dedicated the trust is in saving our history. Since I do this at no charge to the schools the help I get from the trust makes this happen.

We have been active members since 1988. Giving to the Civil War Trust and knowing every penny is used to buy endangered Civil War, Revolutionary War and War of 1812 battlefield lands makes us feel so great! These battlefields are under intense pressure and may be bulldozed and developed at any moment. The only way to preserve these sacred grounds are to purchase them before the developers do. Become a member and hold your head high, knowing you are saving our history for all future generations to learn from and enjoy.

The Civil War Trust is the gold standard by which I gauge my contributions to all other non-profit organizations. The CWT inspires me far more than any other group because of its unparalleled leadership, financial integrity, outreach, and impact in protecting and preserving our Civil War history in perpetuity. About ten years ago, my life-long fascination with Civil War lore was suddenly boosted by discovery in an elderly relative’s attic near Rochester, New York of nearly a dozen well-written letters in their original stamped envelopes from late 1861 to late 1862—mailed separately from various sites in northern Virginia by my great-grandfather and his brother to their parents and siblings. They wrote and stamped their uncoordinated missives home while serving in a US volunteer regiment from Saratoga Springs and Albany, New York, and they both survived the war. This revelation of my blood connection to our great national conflict caused me to broaden my participation in various Civil War groups and activities, but it became clear that the CWT was paramount as the most effective of all such organizations. I am now a proud member of the Color Guard, and I routinely contribute to initiatives by the CWT to secure hallowed ground in locations large and small, and to provide educational materials and field trips for school children and their teachers. It is exciting to think of future Americans who will be able to gain precious first-hand knowledge of the Civil War beyond dusty bookshelves and Wikipedia. They personally will be able to experience myriad landscapes--and often physical structures--that bore witness to unfathomable sacrifice and bravery, and which directly influenced America’s trajectory from fledgling nation to world power.

19 years and counting! We plan on continuing to donate to the Civil War Trust. It is a top-notch organization! In addition to putting our donations to great use, they often partner with other non-profits to multiply the donations many times over.