Message from the President
April 9, 2025
Dear Friends of Battlefield Preservation,
Our 2024 Annual Report highlights the work of countless TCWPA members and volunteers working to preserve and interpret Tennessee’s Civil War sites. Whether working in your community to save a battlefield, leading a tour, conducting research, promoting the “Save Our Battlefields” license plate, developing the new statewide assessment of battlefields or lastly, providing your financial support with your many generous gifts – you are all part of the community of preservationists. I join the Board of Directors in recognizing you – our members and friends who inspire our leadership team’s commitment to the cause of preservation. We appreciate your support!
We are pleased to report TCWPA is marching forward with preservation and interpretation work identified in the Statewide Preservation Plan. The Plan provides a dynamic process that compiles battlefield site data, identifies opportunities and priorities, manages information, and facilitates preservation and interpretation strategies. This process has been driven by considerable research and planning of the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission (CWSAC) and years of organizational engagement by the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association. The Plan is updated periodically with new and revised information. The Executive Summary or the Plan is available for download on www.tcwpa.org. Feel free to provide your feedback at www.info@tcwpa.org.
In addition, our volunteers made progress on several projects including our e-history program, administering seven grants for battlefield preservation from sales of the “Save Our Battlefields” license plate, membership, and license plate promotion. On the administrative side of TCWPA, the Executive Committee and Board conducted business throughout the year meeting virtually via Zoom and in person. In 2024 we were pleased to continue our Three Star tours and enjoy the camaraderie of those interested in the Volunteer State’s history. And lastly, let me thank you personally for your support of the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association. We could not accomplish our many goals without YOU and the support you provide. We appreciate your commitment and support! We always welcome your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to contact us in writing or by email at info@tcwpa.org.
C. Anthony Hodges, D.D.S. President
TCWPA Board of Directors 2024-2025
President Dr. Anthony Hodges
Vice-Presidents: Sam Huffman (Finance), Joe Smyth (Secretary), Steve McDaniel
Board Members: Dr. Aaron Astor, Ernie Bacon, Myers Brown, Mike Countess, Sam Elliott, Dr. Curt Fields, Lee Millar, Daniel Taylor, Greg Wade, Phil Walker, Dr. Lea Williams
Director for Administration: Patricia Gray
Assistant Director for Partnerships: Lee Curtis
Advisory Board: Will Greene, Norm Hill, Patrick McIntyre, Nina Scall, Emily Parish, Jennifer Core, Dr. Joe Trahan, Dr. Carroll Van West, Susan Whitaker, Jerry Wooten, Antoinette van Zelm; Tennessee State Representative Sam Whitson; Tennessee’s National Battlefield Superintendents: Brad Bennett, Catherine Bragaw, Brian McCutchen, Brenda Pennington. Site Specialists: Fred Prouty, Jim Ogden, Jim Lewis, Jim Weaver.
Leadership Team Transitions
TCWPA President Anthony Hodges recognized Board members Daniel Taylor and Dr. Lea Williams for their commitment and service to battlefield preservation. Taylor and Williams moved to TCWPA’s Advisory Board as of December 2024. In addition, Brenda Pennington retired as Superintendent of Stones River National Battlefield in 2024. The new Superintendent Benjamin Hayes has been invited to join TCWPA’s Advisory Board.
It is with great sadness that we note the passing of longtime board member Ernie Bacon of Franklin. An active preservationist and an all-around good guy, Ernie’s loss will leave a void that will be difficult to fill. TCWPA has an ongoing recruitment program for new board members in accordance with its Board Member Recruitment Policy. The goal is to build a dynamic and effective management team that is reflective of all Tennesseans, with a broad range of knowledge and skills needed to ensure support of quality programs, and with all having a commitment to engaged and consensus-driven decision making.
Your Gift for Preservation Really Counts!
With more than 1660 “Save Our Battlefields” license plate on the road, your gift is more important than ever. In fact, the revenue raised through license plate sales accounts for 30% of TCWPA’s annual operating budget. Even more important are your preservation gifts and membership renewals which provide 25% of TCWPA’s annual operating budget. This means your gifts, donations, license plate sales, membership renewals allow TCWPA to continue to hold educational, preservation and Three Star tours, annual meetings, award over $125,464 in preservation/interpretation grants since 2005, and help TCWPA sustain its work to preserve and interpret Civil War battlefields. You are a critical part of this process, and we could not accomplish our many goals without YOU and the support you provide. With your generous gifts – we will continue to connect people and places through preservation so our children, grandchildren and great -grandchildren can enjoy Tennessee’s Civil War battlefields.
The Mission: To Protect, Interpret and Make Accessible Tennessee Civil War Battlefields
The TCWPA leadership team continued its mission to protect and preserve Tennessee Civil War Battlefields with emphasis on its educational and preservation grants program. Since 2005, your generous annual gifts and proceeds from the “Save Our Battlefields” specialty license plate have supported more than seventy-eight battlefield preservation grants! In 2024, your generous annual gifts and proceeds from the “Save Our Battlefields” license plate supported seven battlefield preservation grants including preservation and interpretation grants given in partnership with American Battlefield Trust for Shy’s Hill, Missionary Ridge, and Shiloh National Military Park. In addition, preservation and interpretation grants were given to Spring Hill Cemetery, Thompson’s Station, Knoxville Civil War Roundtable and Johnsonville State Historic Park. In 2024, two leaders from Franklin were awarded the Peckham / Ragland Award which goes to a community member(s) who have made outstanding contributions to the preservation and interpretation of Tennessee’s Civil War battlefields. This year two leaders from Franklin were selected, Mike Hoover and Bob Ireland, and both reflect an outstanding
2024 TCWPA Activities
Annual Membership and Board of Director Meetings
Building a Culture of Preservation!
The 2024 Annual Members meeting, hosted by Franklin’s Charge / Franklin Civil War Roundtable, was held on March 9, 2024 where current members approved the ballot for election of the 2024-2025 Board of Directors. All approved Directors returned for another year. Members also approved TCWPA’s Annual Report.
Members from across the state participated in an amazing tour of “The Mystery of the Hanging Tree” led by Taylor Agan, history lover and songwriter, Curb Records. Also, Board member Greg Wade led a tour to Carter Hill, part of a $5 million Civil War preservation project in Franklin. The Annual Members Meeting and Preservation tour were a tremendous success with more than 50 members and guests attending.
TCWPA’s Fall Three Star Preservation tour was held in partnership with Johnsonville State Historic Park commemorating the 160th Anniversary of the Battle. The tour was led by Jerry Wooten, Park Manager at Paris Landing State Park. The tour provided an overview of the Federal supply depot, key people involved, and the Battle of Johnsonville, as well as the visit to existing earthworks and an update on the park’s Civil War preservation projects.
2024 Battlefield Preservation Grants
Your generous annual gifts and proceeds from the “Save Our Battlefields” specialty license plate supported seven battlefield preservation grants. Preservation and interpretation grants were given to:
American Battlefield Trust for:
Shy’s Hill
Missionary Ridge
Shiloh National Military Park
Spring Hill Cemetery
Thompson’s Station
Knoxville Civil War Roundtable
Johnsonville State Historic Park
Annual Gifts and Memberships
TCWPA received $ 16,727 in annual gifts and membership dues during the past year.
License Plate – Funding for Preservation
TCWPA’s “Save Our Battlefields” specialty license plate income from January 1, 2024- December 31, 2024, was $30,060.
“Tennesseans continue to set records” reports President Hodges. “This year we have nearly 1660 license plates on the road – with new and renewal sales of the “Save Our Battlefields” license plate continuing to grow! The plate has been “on the road” since September 2013. It is wonderful to see the increased interest and dedicated support for promoting preservation!”
TCWPA continues to distribute its bookmark to our state welcome centers where it is on display with the Sesquicentennial Civil War Exhibits, at libraries throughout Middle Tennessee, the Tennessee State Museum, National Medal of Honor Museum and at Civil War shows. The bookmark continues to attract new interest and membership in the organization and the “Save Our Battlefields” license plate. If you would like a bookmark – or some extra to distribute – please send an email to us at info@tcwpa.org.
You can purchase the “Save Our Battlefields” specialty plate at your County Clerk’s office for $35.00 per year (plus your regular registration fees). Call ahead to make sure the plate is available and if not, they will have one within a few days. TCWPA receives about $15.00 per new purchase and a few dollars more per plate for renewals. For more information visit, www.tcwpa.org/support/license-plate.
TCWPA 2024 Goals
In support of the mission to protect, interpret, and make accessible Tennessee’s Civil War Battlefields and contributing landscapes, the TCWPA Board of Directors is pleased to report TCWPA’s Statewide Preservation Plan is marching forward! Following completion of the Plan the Board identified the next steps in working towards protection of battlefield sites. Recognizing that TCWPA’s mission is to facilitate and help organize preservation initiatives, an Interpretation Committee was established to identify priorities and specifically consider options to highlight information and education about battlefields. The Interpretation Committee’s recommendations were presented and approved by TCWPA’s Board. Next steps in the Preservation Plan include:
- Expanding interpretation devices and signage, specifically in close association with Civil War Trails at Jefferson Pike, Thompson Station, and Calfkiller River. Other partnerships include the Tennessee Valley Authority at Mossy Creek. The Homestead at Thompson’s Station, Battle of Nashville Trust at Shy’s Hill, United States Forest Service at Fort Henry, and the City of Knoxville / Knoxville Civil War Roundtable at Armstrong Hill.
- The use of QR codes is being evaluated to improve interpretation opportunities and effectiveness.
- Research assistance is being provided to website visitors who have questions about Civil War soldiers and respective battlefields.
The Preservation Plan is available for review and download at www.tcwpa.org/preservation-plan. TCWPA would like to extend our gratitude to our partner Tennessee Historical Commission for providing grant funding for this important preservation project.
TCWPA Interactive Map Most Visited Page on Website!
Board member Mike Countess said, “The Preservation Plan provides a dynamic process that compiles battlefield site data, identifies opportunities and priorities, manages information, and facilitates preservation strategies
A significant component of the Preservation Plan has been the development and utilization of the online Interpretive Map. The map is the most viewed page on the website where visitors spend considerable time examining its content. This website feature promises to be an important platform for sharing information about battlefields, promoting interest, and identifying opportunities for interpretation and preservation. The interactive map can be viewed at www.tcwpa.org/interactive-map.
Moving forward in 2025, the Statewide Preservation Plan will continue to be the highest priority project for TCWPA. Recognizing that TCWPA’s mission is to facilitate and help organize preservation initiatives, an Interpretation Committee has been established to identify priorities and specifically consider options to highlight information and education about battlefields. The Committee has prepared an initial report to the Board and will continue to review high priority opportunities for Civil War interpretation projects included in the Statewide Preservation Plan.
We need your help! If you have information that you can share about the battlefields included in the Plan, please feel free to contact us at info@tcwpa.org. With your help we can all gain a better understanding of the battlefield’s condition today and how the historic battle contributed to Tennessee’s experience in the Civil War.
Your feedback on the Statewide Preservation Plan will help us update our assessments and preservation strategies for TCWPA’s Statewide Preservation Plan. You can email your comments or request a copy of the printed Executive Summary report to be mailed to you at info@tcwpa.org.
TCWPA Financial Report for 2024
TCWPA – Dec 31, 2024 Cash Accounts $ 59,709.39
Reserved Accounts – Phase II Interpretation Preservation Plan $11,000.00
Available for 2025 TCWPA operations $ 70,709.39
2024 Income and Expenses
Income:
Membership Dues: 2,790
Annual Giving Campaign: 4,455
Special Donations (Peckham Funds): 2,100
Board Gifts: 4,800
Pay Pal Donations: 2,686
PayPal fee Adjustment: 104
License Plate Proceeds: 30,060
Total General Revenue: 46,787
Expenses:
ED Services – Director of Admin: 28,800
Travel: 401
General Administrative Expenses: 1,760
Website Design/ExpensesL: 2,712
Printing Expense: 4,355
Meeting Expense: 2,940
Accounting Services: 1,407
Postage: 1,064
Board Directed Grants: 3,250
Peckham/Ragland Award: 1,000
Insurance: 1,049
Total Expense 48,738
2024 Operating Income: -$1,951
The 2024 Annual Report will be reviewed by the Board of Directors at the March 2025 Board meeting and approved at the Annual Members Meeting to be held in Franklin on May 10, 2025.
