Battlefield Preservation viewpoint from an 11th grade student.

Essay Contest 2012 Second Place, Senior Entry

Joe Stephan, 11th Grade

"The past reminds us of timeless human truths and allows for the perpetuation of cultural traditions that can be nourishing; it contains examples of mistakes to avoid, preserves the memory of alternatives ways of doing things, and is the basis for self-understanding..."  This quote from Bettina Drew summarizes the importance of preserving history.  It is crucial for generations after the Civil War to have access to information about the battlefields, legacy, and significance of such a defining period in American history.  Battlefield preservation is an irreplaceable supplement to general knowledge because it provides essential context and other information that cannot be properly conveyed with words alone.  The ultimate importance of preservation efforts lies in the fact that the efforts provide a basis for how American life developed into what it is today.

http://www.civilwar.org/education/contests-quizzes/essay-contest/2012-essay-contest/essay-contest-2012-second-1.html

Drew, Bettina. "Quotations on the Importance of History and Historic Preservation." National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers. National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. http://www.ncshpo.org/current/quotes.htm.