Preserving Gettysburg (1 Viewer)

[Dragoon]

Here is a GREAT opportunity to preserve a large tract of privately owned land within the boundries of Gettysburg National Military Park. This truely hallowed ground witnessed some of the most intense fighting on the first day of this momentous battle.
Please click on this link below and do what you can. This is truely a great chance to help preserve forever the historic battlefield of Gettysburg. - Thanks, Ken
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg/gettysburg-2011/a-message-from-jim-lighthizer.html

 

[Currahee Chris]

while I am by no means an ACW enthusiast, I do appreciate the significance of those battlefields and it ENRAGES me as a Pennsylvanian, veteran and American that private citizens continue to have to seek alternate methods to preserve that hallowed ground. This is an instance where military members should be allowed to firmly plant their size 12's up the backsides of the civilian "Authority".

 

[jazzeum]

I believe there have been instances where civil war battlefields have gone the way of the development. You can't save every one unfortunately.

 

[Combat]

Gettysburg is a bit of an oddity for the civil war since much of the fighting took place in and directly around an existing town. So there were plenty of buildings here at the time (although not KFC or General Pickett's buffet) and it's inevitable that some have spread onto historic sites. The chance to roll back some of that development are few and far between. There was an ugly car dealership on the northern end of town that fortunately was removed just a few years ago. I think the lease ran out and the Park Service took the land back. It looks a thousand time better. They also took down the "space needle" a while back.

 

[Dragoon]

The land in question is 95 acres of the now defunct Gettysburg Country Club. Part of this property contains Wiloughby Run bordering Herbst Woods. This is the exact location in which the Iron Brigade fought Archer's and then Pettigrew's Brigades on the openning day of the Battle of Gettysburg. This ground is saturated with the blood of those brave men that fought and died that day on that very spot, and deserves preservation. The Civil War Trust is attemping to raise $25,000.00 which will be partnered with other funding to help aquire this privately owned property.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT CAN"T BE LOST. Please read the message linked below from The Civil War Trust, and give what you can to help save a very important piece of America's heritage.

http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg/gettysburg-2011/a-message-from-jim-lighthizer.html

 

[Gideon]

I'm sure there are countless fields which were developed over the years into housing tracts. I have to wonder how many artifacts were pulled up...

Anyway, I don't think we can save all of them nor should we within reason.

Seems to me that quite a bit has been protected and, in area which can get premium real estate prices, why not allow for the development?

As it was a golf course having been landscaped, the natural features of the grounds are already gone. For a long time.

If private money is being raised to purchase the land, that's great, but I wouldn't want to see public money used to purchase.

I know my opinion may be unpopular but this isn't that unique of a situation.

 

[Dragoon]

Actually this IS a rather unique situation. First, we're talking about Gettysburg, one of the more famous battles in world history. The 95 acre parcel is the second largest tract of private land WITHIN the boundries of Gettysburg Nat'l. Military Park. Would you really want to see it filled in with a subdivision? The stretch of land on which Willoughby Run flows looks to be quite natural and untouched, and an old golf course can easily be brought back to farm fields and wooden fences to look as it appeared in 1863.

 

[Gideon]

The same could be said of Crecy, no? One of the most famous battles in history too. Valley Forge has been partially preserved but built over otherwise.

I tend to be very pro preserving natural forests and nature in general but something with limited use other than to preserve a battle field, I'm perfectly fine with that but I just don't want to see state or federal funds used for it. Let it be a private citizen venture.

 

[Scott]

I can see a limit to trying to preserve pieces of land that have historical meaning. It might be that local government commissions could regulate what goes on or near those sites. Trusts that depend on donations can also do the job.

A good number of battle sites in the US are "natural" or park like that leave open land for recreation. Gettysburg has areas like that. My son biked much of the park on our last visit to Gettysburg.

Federally controlled parks, the NPS, have the advantage of uniform facilities and personnel both to care and interpret the sites. Politics have had effects on NPS sites (from my acquaintance with NPS rangers) from funding to how the site is interpreted to the public.

 

[Dragoon]

The same could be said of Crecy, no? One of the most famous battles in history too. Valley Forge has been partially preserved but built over otherwise.

I tend to be very pro preserving natural forests and nature in general but something with limited use other than to preserve a battle field, I'm perfectly fine with that but I just don't want to see state or federal funds used for it. Let it be a private citizen venture.

No argument here - As stated on the link provided below, this is a fund raising effort involving the Civil War Trust and the Conservation Trust - Private non-profit organizations.
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg/gettysburg-2011/

 

[Combat]

Saw this in the local paper:

GETTYSBURG, Pa. (AP) - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Friday announced the addition of a 95-acre parcel at Gettysburg National Military Park, saying it caps nearly two decades of efforts to acquire the property.

What had most recently been a nine-hole golf course at the former Gettysburg County Club will henceforth be known by its historical name - the Emanuel Harman Farm. Major fighting occurred there on July 1, 1863, the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the bloodiest battle of the Civil War and a key victory for the Union forces.

"Gettysburg will always have a sacred place in the America's heritage for the pivotal role it played in our nation's history and for the enormity of the sacrifice that took place here," Salazar said in remarks prepared for a news conference at the central Pennsylvania park. With the latest acquisition, "we are able to include another important chapter in the story that helped shape our country."

The National Park Service, which is part of the Interior Department, tried unsuccessfully for nearly 20 years to acquire property, which lies within the boundaries of the 6,000-acre park.

The property was part of a larger tract that was developed as a country club in the 1950s, but went out of business in 2008.

Salazar thanked The Conservation Fund and The Civil War Trust for helping make the acquisition possible.

"Visitors who are now free to explore this hallowed ground can give thanks for the contributions of both of these organizations to preserving our national heritage," he said.

The Virginia-based Conservation Fund purchased the land in February from a Maryland developer for $1.4 million. The developer retained the remaining 14 acres - including two clubhouses, two swimming pools, tennis courts and parking lots - and donated a height restriction easement for that parcel.

 

[Dragoon]

Great news - Mission accomplished! To learn more on this important land acquisition click on www.civilwar.org .

 

[PanzerAce1944]

That's good to hear. I have been to Getty'sburg 4 0r 5 times in my life and always enjoy every trip !