Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association

Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the Gettysburg National Military Park and promoting the history of the American Civil War, particularly the Battle of Gettysburg. The association works closely with the National Park Service and other organizations, such as the Gettysburg Foundation and the Civil War Trust, to protect and restore the historic battlefield. The association's efforts are also supported by notable historians, including Doris Kearns Goodwin and James M. McPherson, who have written extensively on the Battle of Gettysburg and its significance in American history.

● History

The Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association was founded in the late 19th century by a group of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania residents, including John B. Imhof and William T. Patterson, who were dedicated to preserving the Gettysburg National Military Park and promoting the history of the Battle of Gettysburg. The association's early efforts were focused on acquiring and preserving key parcels of land, including the High Water Mark and Little Round Top, which were crucial to the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg. The association also worked closely with other organizations, such as the Gettysburg National Military Park Commission and the United States Department of the Interior, to develop and implement preservation plans for the park. Notable preservationists, including Frederick Law Olmsted and Landscape Architect Calvert Vaux, also contributed to the association's efforts, drawing on their experience with other historic sites, such as Central Park and the National Mall.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association's mission is to preserve the Gettysburg National Military Park and promote the history of the American Civil War, with a focus on the Battle of Gettysburg and its significance in American history. The association's objectives include acquiring and preserving historic land and structures, restoring the battlefield to its 1863 appearance, and providing educational programs and resources for visitors, including Gettysburg College students and United States Military Academy cadets. The association also works to promote the history of the Battle of Gettysburg and its relevance to contemporary issues, such as civil rights and national unity, through partnerships with organizations like the National Civil War Museum and the Smithsonian Institution. The association's efforts are guided by the principles of historic preservation, as outlined in the National Historic Preservation Act and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

● Preservation_Efforts

The Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association has undertaken numerous preservation efforts over the years, including the acquisition and restoration of historic buildings, such as the Gettysburg National Cemetery and the David Wills House, where Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address. The association has also worked to restore the battlefield's historic landscape, including the removal of non-historic structures and the replanting of native vegetation, such as oak trees and wildflowers, which were present during the Battle of Gettysburg. The association has also partnered with other organizations, such as the Civil War Trust and the National Park Foundation, to protect and preserve other historic battlefields, including Antietam National Battlefield and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. The association's preservation efforts have been recognized by notable organizations, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Institute for Conservation.

● Organization_and_Membership

The Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association is a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from the Gettysburg Foundation, the National Park Service, and other organizations, such as the Gettysburg College and the United States Army Heritage and Education Center. The association has a diverse membership, including historians, preservationists, and American Civil War enthusiasts, such as Ken Burns and Shelby Foote, who have written extensively on the Battle of Gettysburg and its significance in American history. The association also has a strong volunteer program, with opportunities for members to participate in preservation efforts, educational programs, and special events, such as the annual Gettysburg Reenactment and the Gettysburg National Military Park anniversary commemoration.

● Notable_Projects_and_Achievements

The Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association has undertaken numerous notable projects and achieved significant successes over the years, including the preservation of the Gettysburg National Military Park's historic cyclorama painting, which depicts the Battle of Gettysburg in vivid detail. The association has also worked to restore the Gettysburg National Cemetery's historic rostrum, where Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, and to develop educational programs and resources for visitors, including a museum exhibit on the Battle of Gettysburg and its significance in American history. The association's efforts have been recognized by notable awards, including the National Preservation Award and the American Institute for Conservation's Heritage Preservation Award. The association continues to work towards its mission of preserving the Gettysburg National Military Park and promoting the history of the American Civil War, with a focus on the Battle of Gettysburg and its relevance to contemporary issues, such as civil rights and national unity.

Category:Historic preservation organizations in the United States