Tennessee’s Civil War story is not just one of division, resilience, and transformation, but also a unique
and vital part of American history. It’s where neighbors became enemies, and every county felt the war’s impact. Our state is designated as a National Heritage Area, the only statewide program of its kind, reflecting its unique and vital contribution to American history.
Preservation and interpretation are vital because they safeguard our cultural, historical, and environmental legacy for future generations, ensuring continuity, identity, and understanding. Battlefields are not merely sites of conflict—they are immersive classrooms, where visitors can visualize events and understand why they unfolded as they did. We preserve so we may remember, and we engage so we may learn.
The fields of Shiloh National Military Park appear peaceful in the soft spring light, as if the land had never known violence. Yet every path, ridge, and stand of trees holds echoes of April 6–7, 1862—when more than 23,000 men were killed, wounded, or missing. As preservationists and historians, our purpose is not just to answer questions, but to bring the past to life in the present. Every story we tell turns names and numbers into human experiences. Every tour offers a chance to stand where soldiers once stood, where musket balls tore through the air—and to know that the land has not forgotten.
It was a bitterly cold morning near Murfreesboro on December 31, 1862. Two armies, Union and Confederate, faced each other just seven hundred yards apart. As dawn broke on New Year’s Eve, the Battle of Stones River erupted into one of the bloodiest clashes of the war. Over three days, nearly 24,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing. Interpretation is the heartbeat of Stones River National Battlefield—it is how the battlefield speaks to us across time.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park stands not only as a memorial to victory but also as a testament to sacrifice. Its ridges and fields hold stories of strategy and suffering, of unity and division. In the autumn of 1863, the hills and ridges of northern Georgia and southeastern Tennessee whispered with tension. Union and Confederate armies were locked in a deadly struggle, and the fate of the South’s gateway—Chattanooga—hung in the balance. The Battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga marked a dramatic turning point in the Civil War’s Western Theater. With the rustle of leaves and the hush of history, one can still hear the echoes of those who came before.
These are just a few of the many places where Tennessee’s Civil War legacy endures—through preserved battlefields, historic homes, and personal stories. They remind us that history is not just dates and battles; it is the lived experience of ordinary people caught in extraordinary times.
That is why our roles as preservationists, living historians, and guides are so vital. We are the storytellers of these sacred places, where history is not about sides or victories—it is about people, their choices, their losses, and their humanity. Though the battlefields may now stand silent, they still breathe, as if the memory of the Civil War lingers in the land itself.
On behalf of TCWPA, we are grateful for your membership and the significant role you play in keeping these stories alive. Together, we ensure that Tennessee’s Civil War experience will never be forgotten.
In the interest of preservation,
Anthony Hodges
President, Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association
TCWPA Annual Members Meeting Recap – Clarksville, May 10, 2025
Thank you for making our 2025 Annual Members Meeting in Clarksville a resounding success! We were thrilled to welcome so many of you to this year’s preservation tour, “Civil War in Clarksville – Invasion by River and Rail”, led by esteemed historian Greg Biggs. His insights into Clarksville’s strategic role during the Civil War brought history to life for all who attended.
Members unanimously approved the 2025–2026 Board of Directors ballot. We’re proud to announce that all current directors will continue their service for another year. The Annual Report was also approved and is available for review at tcwpa.org/annual-report-for-2024.
Preservation Milestone We’re excited to share that the Tennessee Civil War Sites Preservation Fund received a $3 million appropriation in Governor Bill Lee’s 2025–2026 budget. This vital fund, established in 2013, helps secure matching dollars for the acquisition and protection of Tennessee’s hallowed Civil War ground.
Looking Ahead planning is already underway for our Spring and Fall 2026 Annual Meeting and Preservation Tours. Stay tuned for details as we continue our mission to preserve and honor Tennessee’s Civil War heritage.
Thank you for your continued grassroots support. Together, we’re making history last.
