Let David La Torre, principal of the public relations firm La Torre Communications, representing the Mason Dixon Resort, know how you feel. Contact him via email: david@latorrecommunications.com and tell him NO CASINO IN GETTYSBURG!

Click HERE to read Wittenburg’s blog article.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 14, 2011

For more information, contact:
Jim Campi, (202) 367-1861 x7205
Mary Koik, (202) 367-1861 x7231

PROPOSED GETTYSBURG CASINO LOCATION REJECTED BY PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD

Civil War Trust praises board for its enduring commitment to protecting this hallowed ground

(Harrisburg, Pa.) – Following today’s decision by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to reject a second proposal to bring casino gambling to the doorstep of Gettysburg National Military Park, Civil War Trust president Jim Lighthizer issued the following statement:

“Both personally, and on behalf of our members, I would like to thank the members of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for their thoughtful deliberation and insightful decision.  By stating that the hallowed ground of America’s most blood-soaked battlefield is no place for this type of adults-only enterprise, they have reiterated the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s commitment to its priceless history and upheld its obligation to protect such sites from wanton and unnecessary degradation.

“This is a great day, not just for Gettysburg, but for all historic sites.  However, we must remember that this proposal was just a symptom of a larger problem — the numerous irreplaceable sites similarly besieged by ill-considered development.  I am confident that those seeking to protect priceless treasures of our past will be empowered by this victory for historic preservation, and I hope that its spirit will be carried forth in other communities facing similar questions of encroachment.

“Sadly, this was not the first time that the Gaming Board was forced to weigh the possibility of gaming with a Gettysburg address.  Now that two such proposals have been denied — clearly demonstrating the resonant power this iconic site and the widespread desire to protect it — I sincerely hope that those would seek personal profit and financial gain will think twice about trading on the blood of 50,000 American casualties.

“Now, as ever, the Civil War Trust and its allies stand ready to work on behalf of Gettysburg and the other deathless fields that shaped the legacy of our nation, particularly as we begin the sesquicentennial commemoration of the American Civil War. We are exceptionally pleased to have the support and cooperation of visionary government bodies, like the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, that understand the singular significance of such sites to aid our efforts.”

Since it was announced last year, the proposal to open Mason-Dixon Gaming Resort a scant half-mile from Gettysburg National Military Park has drawn immense opposition — an early April survey by a nationally renowned polling and research firm found that only 17 percent of Pennsylvanians supported the idea, with 66 percent actively opposed and 57 percent indicating that such a facility would be “an embarrassment” to the Commonwealth.  Tens of thousands of petitions were submitted against the project and nearly 300 prominent historians united to urge its rejection, as did the national leadership of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the American Legion.  Other prominent Americans who lent their name to the campaign to protect Gettysburg include Susan Eisenhower, Emmy-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough, Medal of Honor recipient Paul W. Bucha, renowned composer John Williams and entertainers Matthew Broderick, Stephen Lang and Sam Waterston.  In 2005, citing public outcry, the Gaming Board likewise rejected a plan to construct a casino one mile from the edge of the national park.

The Civil War Trust is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States.  Its mission is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds.  To date, the Trust has preserved more than 30,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states— including 800 at Gettysburg. Learn more at www.civilwar.org.

Please consider supporting the Civil War Trust by becoming a member. Click HERE for more information.

###

I was able to visit Spring Hill on a recent business trip. I am fascinated with how the battlefield changes with the passage of time and seasons. Check out my short photo essay on Spring Hill by clicking HERE. There are some very nice pictures of Rippavilla Plantation and Rally Hill.

For additional information on the Affair at Spring Hill, check out my December 2009 article:

From Atlanta to Spring Hill

If you are interested in learning more about the Battle of Franklin, check out my January 2010 article:

The Battle of Franklin

For an exciting narrative on the Franklin-Nashville Campaign, listen to my interview with famed historian Thomas Y. Cartwright:

Thomas Y. Cartwright Interview on ThisMightyScourge.com

As always, please remember to support the Civil War Trust. They have saved nearly 200 acres of the Spring Hill Battlefield.

###

*********************************************************************

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2011

WALMART ABANDONS PLANS TO BUILD SUPERCENTER ON WILDERNESS BATTLEFIELD

Preservation community pleased with decision by retail giant to drop plans to build a supercenter within historic boundaries of Wilderness battlefield

(Orange, Va.) – In an unexpected development, Walmart announced this morning that it has abandoned plans to pursue a special use permit previously awarded to the retail giant for construction of a supercenter on the Wilderness Battlefield.  The decision came as the trial in a legal challenge seeking to overturn the special use permit was scheduled to begin in Orange County circuit court.

“We are pleased with Walmart’s decision to abandon plans to build a supercenter on the Wilderness battlefield,” remarked James Lighthizer, president of the Civil War Trust.  “We have long believed that Walmart would ultimately recognize that it is in the best interests of all concerned to move their intended store away from the battlefield.  We applaud Walmart officials for putting the interests of historic preservation first.  Sam Walton would be proud of this decision.”

The Civil War Trust is part of the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition, an alliance of local residents and national groups seeking to protect the Wilderness battlefield.  Lighthizer noted that the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition has sought from the very beginning to work with county officials and Walmart to find an alternative location for the proposed superstore away from the battlefield.

“We stand ready to work with Walmart to put this controversy behind us and protect the battlefield from further encroachment,” Lighthizer stated.  “We firmly believe that preservation and progress need not be mutually exclusive, and welcome Walmart as a thoughtful partner in efforts to protect the Wilderness Battlefield.”

In August 2009, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a controversial special use permit to allow construction of the Walmart Supercenter and associated commercial development on the Wilderness Battlefield.  A wide range of prominent individuals and organizations publicly opposed the store’s location, including more than 250 American historians led by Pulitzer Prize-winners James McPherson and David McCullough.  One month after the decision, a group of concerned citizens and the local Friends of Wilderness Battlefield filed a legal challenge to overturn the decision.

The Battle of the Wilderness, fought May 5–6, 1864, was one of the most significant engagements of the American Civil War.  Of the 185,000 soldiers who entered combat amid the tangled mass of second-growth trees and scrub in Virginia’s Orange and Spotsylvania counties, some 30,000 became casualties.  The Wilderness Battlefield Coalition, composed of Friends of Wilderness Battlefield, Piedmont Environmental Council, Preservation Virginia, National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Parks Conservation Association, and Civil War Trust, seeks to protect this irreplaceable local and national treasure.

The Civil War Trust is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States.  Its mission is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds.  To date, the Trust has preserved nearly 30,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states.  Learn more at www.civilwar.org.

###

###

***********************************************************

Dear Friend in Preservation,

Today, I’m pleased to share with you some exciting news about the next step in the natural evolution of our efforts to preserve our nation’s irreplaceable Civil War battlefields, as the Civil War Preservation Trust becomes, simply, the Civil War Trust.

Rest assured that there has been no change in mission or management — we are every bit the same efficient, vibrant and dynamic organization that you and our 55,000 members believe in so passionately. I am incredibly proud of the outstanding reputation we have built in the historic preservation community, and the nearly 30,000 hallowed acres we have saved for future generations.

But after careful thought, deliberation and research, my staff, board and I determined that the time was right to modernize the Trust’s name and logo to better reflect our mission and goals. Despite our many successes, our previous name was not widely recognized outside our immediate constituency. As we begin the commemoration of the Civil War sesquicentennial in earnest, we feel this shift will help us make more Americans aware of the work we do to preserve our nation’s heritage. After all, what better way to commemorate the great struggle between North and South than to save the historic landscapes of the Civil War for our children and grandchildren?

I invite you to learn more about the thought and planning that went into this decision by visiting civilwar.org/logo. I hope you are as pleased with the result of our efforts as I am. And look forward to your continued passionate and generous support for our efforts.

Thank you again for your commitment to the Civil War Trust and our nation’s heritage.

Jim Lighthizer, President Civil War Trust

PS: As always, we welcome thoughts and feedback from our members. You can reach Civil War Trust staff by emailing info@civilwar.org.

###

*************************************************************

Dear CWPT Supporter,

WE DO WHAT WE SAY

2010 HIGHLIGHTS

WE KEEP OUR EXPENSES TO A MINIMUM
In 2010, we spent just 3.3% of our expenses on administration, and just 8.3% on fundraising, meaning that 88 cents of every dollar we spent went directly toward specific battlefield preservation efforts, education programs and our public outreach activities.

I will stack those stewardship numbers up against any other non-profit in America

• In 2010, CWPT received Charity Navigator’s 4-Star Charity designation – their highest award. Read Report ».
• GuideStar, designated us as a “Valued Partner”
• The Independent Charities of America organization gave us their “Best in America” award

WE MULTIPLY THE VALUE OF YOUR DONATIONS
Our Real Estate and Government Relations staff are constantly looking for matching grants that can be used with our battlefield appeals. In most cases the giving power of your donations will be magnified many times over.

2010 HIGHLIGHTS

• $20 to $1 Match at Spring Hill
• $116 to $1 Match at Brandy Station
• $4.13 to $1 at Gettysburg-Power’s Hill
• $10 to $1 at Second Manassas

As an organization we are proud of all that we’ve been able to accomplish in 2010, but all of these accomplishments would be impossible if it was not for the support that we receive from you.

Jim Lighthizer
President, CWPT

###

The following linked video, “Our Gettysburg Legacy,” was played during today’s hearing.  Many famous celebrities volunteered their time to make the video.  Please click on the link and watch the video.  If you are able to donate to the Civil War Preservation Trust for this campaign, click HERE.  United, we can win – Divided we WILL lose.  God Bless the USA.

“Our Gettysburg Legacy” featuring Ken Burns, Matthew Broderick, Sam Waterston, Stephen Lang, David McCullough and others.

Eric’s Article: The GBPA Sells Its Soul to the Devil

Click HERE to make your donation!

Click HERE to view my Battle of Brandy Station essay from last year.

Click HERE to listen to my interview with Eric J. Wittenberg, author of “The Battle of Brandy Station.”