Saving History Saturday: A Question For You
Let’s change things up a little this weekend with a Saving History Question.
In your opinion, what battlefield land offers the greatest lesson for the preservation community? (Can be a positive or negative lesson)
The interstate system in the South is the greatest example of preservation failure. Murfreesboro and Franklin are a close second.
On the positive side: no question – Perryville, Ky.
On the negative side, Ox Hill (Chantilly) in Fairfax County, Viginia.
Rappahannock Station is a lost battlefield. For over ten years the core property was available for purchase. Nothing was accomplished.
I think the Slaughter Pen Farm saved by ABT and others was the biggest save. Not only was it an expensive purchase of land that looks the way it did during the battle, but also allowed a change in the way historians interpreted and visitors saw the fight.
To me, Malvern Hill is a case study on battlefield preservation. Small portion saved years ago with more acquisitions over time. Battlefield appears today much as it did in 1862. Much signage and interpretation.
Malvern Hill and Perryville on the positive side, Franklin on the negative side.
I was incredibly impressed with the Brandy Station preservation efforts. That place was slated to be a racing course and now the majority of it is protected.
Gettysburg will always top the list for me, but I admire Bristoe Station which was preserved within a housing development, Ball’s Bluff, and Kennesaw Mountain to name a few. I would like to see more accomplished at Yellow Tavern.