Protection and Presentation

Major battlefields from the American Civil War are protected in the National Park system and preserved as hallowed grounds. As places of interest and importance to the public, battlefields are also presented for educational and interpretive purposes. Political and management conflict arises over the apparent contradiction between preservation as protection and preservation for presentation. Like other sacred sites, the battlefields require formal designation, protection and control to preserve their sanctity. However, they also need to be understood, appreciated, and visited by those for whom the sites are an important part of their heritage. Interpretive activities such as large-scale battle re-enactments often emphasize the challenges of providing both protection and interpretive presentation.