American Battlefield Trust Capital Campaign
Our Enduring Legacy
The Campaign to Preserve, Educate, and Inspire
In recognition of America’s upcoming 250th birthday, the American Battlefield Trust has made it our goal to raise $125 million by July 4, 2026, to safeguard our nation’s historic battlefields for future generations.
Our Enduring Legacy: The Campaign to Preserve, Educate, and Inspire, is the largest and most ambitious effort in battlefield preservation history. This comprehensive campaign will provide the critical resources needed to expand preservation efforts, meet today’s challenges, and seize tomorrow’s opportunities.
For nearly 40 years, the American Battlefield Trust has led the nation in preserving our nation’s battlefield land, educating the public about what happened there and why it matters, and inspiring young and old alike to think about our nation’s turbulent first century. We view these hallowed grounds as outdoor classrooms where everyone can learn about the sacrifices made to secure the freedoms Americans enjoy today.
Unprecedented Threats
Historic battlefields from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War are disappearing at an alarming rate due to relentless development pressures. These threats are exploding in size, frequency, and intensity, and the increased demand for undeveloped land has driven up prices. This is not just a trend but a generational shift that threatens unprotected battlefield land and our ability to save it.
At the same time, America faces a crisis in history education. Studies over the past 30 years show a worrisome decline in students' understanding of American history, which makes it less likely people will participate in civic life or feel a sense of responsibility to keep America strong.
Without immediate action, we risk losing not only the land itself but also the powerful stories of courage, sacrifice, and freedom from America’s defining conflicts.
Unprecedented Opportunities
Yet, with these unprecedented threats come unprecedented opportunities. As the nation’s 250th birthday approaches, we stand at a crucial moment to preserve these hallowed grounds, to enhance the public’s understanding of the history beneath our feet, and to invigorate the next generation with lessons from the past.
With Our Enduring Legacy, the American Battlefield Trust is seizing the moment to safeguard our nation’s history. We are committed to preserving these sacred places to bring history to life through innovative educational experiences. Our purpose is to inspire appreciation of America, its history, and its promise of liberty through a deeper understanding of the wars fought on its soil.
Join us in this bold endeavor to preserve our past and ensure that its lessons continue to resonate for generations to come.
Our Mission, Our Priorities
The Our Enduring Legacy campaign brings us closer to our goal of protecting the nation's historic battlefields, enhancing learning experiences, and stirring the American spirit. More about these three priorities:
1. PRESERVE AMERICA’S HALLOWED BATTLEFIELDS
The American Battlefield Trust defends and restores our nation’s endangered battlefields.
Help us strengthen the Trust’s first Battlefield Readiness Fund, a new funding vehicle that will give us the power to act quickly and compete effectively against developers to save endangered historic land at 40 Top Priority Battlefields. With your support, we can proactively safeguard these sacred places for future generations.
2. EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT OUR NATION’S HISTORY
The American Battlefield Trust brings American history to life in unique and memorable ways.
Help us prepare America’s battlefields with our engaging, exciting, and educational interpretation programs. Your support ensures future generations can connect with the struggles, triumphs, and lessons of history.
3. INSPIRE LASTING APPRECIATION FOR AMERICAN HISTORY
The American Battlefield Trust creates transformative experiences on the battlefield that can lead to a lifelong passion for history and service.
With your support we can continue to inspire curiosity and connection to the places where history unfolded. Our battlefields provide some of the nation’s best outdoor classrooms, and your gift will allow students, teachers, and families to engage with history in powerful, meaningful ways.
Goal:
$125 Million
Raised to date:
$101.9 Million
82% of the goal
Remaining:
$23.1 Million
Join Us in Making History!
Our Enduring Legacy is about more than just preserving land; it’s about safeguarding our shared history and inspiring future generations. Your support will help safeguard the stories of American courage and freedom for all time.
“We safeguard hallowed grounds entrusted to us by previous generations. They did the best they could to preserve them but it is now up to us. It is our duty to enhance them with modern tools for a modern audience. Every contribution made to this cause is another step toward ensuring that these historic places endure.”
