Antietam Battlefield: A Cleanup Campaign
The site of “The Final Attack” at Antietam was a conclusive moment in the Civil War but maintaining an ever-growing landscapes isn’t easy in the context of the many acres of the larger Battlefield site.
THE PROBLEM
The Civil War, and the Battle of Antietam in particular, took place on private rural land, and in this case rolling hills and corn fields. Keep these landscapes clear of invasive species for understand the battle is a on-going challenge for the National Park Service. And the site lacks in-depth informational signage to help the 1 million annual visitors visualize this conclusive phase of the Battle.
THE FIX
Preservation Maryland and its partners undertook a large-scale volunteer clean-up day to clear out invasive plants and remove extraneous fence rail. To address the interpretive needs of the site, we worked with the National Park Service to create and install new information panels.
Updates
APRIL 2016
Kicking off National Park Week on April 16, 2016, and being one of the first public Six-to-Fix volunteer event, Preservation Maryland with Save Historic Antietam Foundation brought over 50+ volunteers to Antietam National Battlefield to clear invasive species, remove a fence, and painting cannon – work that would have taken the National Park Service three weeks.
RFPS & REPORTS
Guidance for Developing a Battlefield Preservation Plan
National Park Service
American Battlefield Protection Program Battlefield Survey Manual
The America Battlefield Program, National Park Service
Civil War Sites Advisory Commission Report on the Nation’s Civil War Battlefields
Civil War Sites Advisory Commission, National Park Service
Can we count on you?
Preservation Maryland isn’t just preserving the past – we’re investing in our future. In just the past year we’ve invested heavily in our work and refused to accept the mounting challenges as a reason to retreat or hold our position. You are making it all possible.